England cruise to 3-0 series win over West Indies
England were emphatic in beating the West Indies by 10 wickets, wrapping up the series in less than 10 days and securing their third sweeping win over the West Indies in Test cricket.
In his debut Test at Lord's, Gus Atkinson made a stunning impression by taking 7 wickets, helping England bowl out the West Indies for just 121. But this test was particularly significant as it marked James Anderson's final appearance in Test cricket. Anderson, England's legendary pacer, took two wickets on the second day in an emotional farewell, concluding a career that spanned under eight different test captains.
England comfortably chased the target, reaching 189-3 by the end of the second day and setting the tone for the series.
Ollie Pope took the spotlight in the second test, with a century as England amassed 416 runs on a chaotic opening day. The West Indies had fought back, taking five wickets for only 74 runs, carrying momentum, and Hodge’s maiden century on the second day left the West Indies trailing by just 65 runs. Over the subsequent days, captain Joe Root and Harry Brook both scored centuries, providing a solid platform for England to secure the second test win. The final day saw a dramatic collapse from the West Indies, who lost five wickets in just six overs, cementing England’s advantage and wrapping up the 2-0 lead.
The third and final test at Edgbaston was highlighted by exceptional performances from Mark Wood and Ben Stokes. Wood’s 5-40 in the second innings dismantled the West Indies' batting lineup, while Stokes hit the fastest half-century in England’s Test history, achieving the feat in just 24 balls. England chased the 82-run target in just 7.2 overs to close out the series.
England’s performance throughout the series showcased both emerging talents and seasoned players, hinting at a promising future for English cricket. However, coach Brendon McCullum noted that despite the team’s progression, they are still not the ‘finished article.’
