In a remarkable display of batting, England captain Ben Stokes broke a 43-year-old record during the third Test against the West Indies, leading his team to a series-clinching 3-0 whitewash. Stokes set a new benchmark for the fastest half-century in England's Test cricket history, surpassing the previous record held by Ian Botham since 1981.
During the match at Edgbaston, Stokes delivered a breathtaking performance, scoring an unbeaten 57 runs off just 28 balls, achieving a strike rate of 203.57. His innings included nine fours and two sixes, reaching his fifty in only 24 balls. This feat made him the fourth fastest player in the world to score a half-century in Test cricket. The overall record is held by Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq, who reached fifty in just 21 balls against Australia in 2014.
In addition to his record-setting performance, Stokes' explosive batting, alongside Ben Duckett's 25-run contribution, led England to a 10-wicket victory over the West Indies in the third Test. England chased down a modest target of 82 runs after bowling out the West Indies for 175 in their second innings. This victory secured a comprehensive 3-0 series win for England.
The historic achievement underscored Stokes' prowess and further cemented his place in the annals of cricket history, as he surpassed legendary figures like Ian Botham and Jonny Bairstow, who also held fast half-century records for England.