Gros-Islet (Saint Lucia): England ended a disappointing Test series with the consolation of a comprehensive victory over the West Indies on the fourth day of the third and final Test in St Lucia.
Thrashed in the first two matches of the series to surrender the Wisden Trophy after 10 years in English possession, the tourists gained a measure of consolation in completing a 232-run victory with a day to spare.
Set an improbable target of 485 after Joe Root declared his side’s second innings at 361 for five following his dismissal for 122 (225b, 10×4), the home team were eventually dismissed for 252 deep into the final session, Tuesday when Ben Stokes (2/30) had Keemo Paul caught and bowled.
Paul, hobbled by a leg injury which prevented him from bowling throughout most of the England second innings, only came out to bat as last man to allow Roston Chase (102 n o, 191b, 12×4, 1×6) to complete a deserved fifth Test century.
Chase was on 97 when Shannon Gabriel was ninth out, but the young all-rounder hung around long enough for the tall right-hander to reach three figures, cutting Joe Denly to the backward-point boundary to achieve the landmark.
James Anderson (3/27), who blew away the West Indies top order with three wickets before lunch, had no more success with the ball but his devastating early impact ensured that it was only a matter of when, not if England would have completed a massive victory on the fourth day.
Moeen Ali also claimed three wickets while Mark Wood, snared the important scalp of Shai Hope as the West Indies slumped to 35 for four before lunch.
Anderson triggered the West Indies slide with just the third delivery of the innings when John Campbell, facing his first ball, sliced a booming drive to Ali at gully.
England clearly had a swift declaration on their minds at the start of the day’s play with Root and Stokes (48 n o, 75b, 4×4, 1×6) resuming at 325 for four.
They belted 36 runs at a run-a-minute until the England skipper miscued a low full-toss from Gabriel and Hetmyer held the catch diving forward at mid-wicket to prompt the declaration.
Kemar Roach finished with one wicket in the innings, lifting his tally to a series-leading 18. It got him the ‘Man of the Series’ award.
Brief scores: England 277 and 361 for 5 decl (Joe Root 122) beat West Indies 153 and 252 (Roston Chase 102 n o, James Anderson 3/27, Moeen Ali 3/99) by 232 runs.
