Ben Stokes breaks incredible 43-year England record as hosts complete West Indies Test series whitewash
Ben Stokes added his name to the record books on Sunday afternoon as he hit England's fastest-ever Test 50 against the West Indies.
The captain smashed a half-century in just 24 balls, four fewer deliveries than Ian Botham took to reach his 50 in 1981 against India.
After bowling the Windies out for 175 in the second innings at Edgbaston, the hosts were set a target of just 82 to win and complete a 3-0 whitewash.
Zak Crawley usually opens for England, but in his place, Stokes came out to bat alongside Ben Duckett.
He ended up on 57 from just 28 balls as the Durham all-rounder hit the Windies attack to all parts of the ground.
There was a time when the all-time quickest Test 50 was within reach, but he just missed out by three deliveries.
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Instead, he claimed the joint third quickest in men's Test cricket history and now shares the honour with South African icon Jacques Kallis.
In typical Stokes fashion, he achieved the feat with a six off Shamar Joseph.
It is just another honour for one of England's greatest-ever Test players and ensured England completed the Windies series in fine style.
Speaking after the Test, Stokes said: "Everyone in the changing room said they'd do it [open the batting], but I said I would. It was about keeping everyone in the same position. A couple hit the middle of the bat, I was seeing it quite well.
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"Colly's [Paul Collingwood] the record man in the dressing room, he likes to keep track - he told me [about the record] upstairs."
This was England's first Test series on home soil since last summer, while they had been beaten 4-1 in India earlier this year.
But they returned to their best against the West Indies.
England had already won the series 2-0 when they arrived at Edgbaston on Friday, but in front of one of the best English crowds, they delivered another great performance to win by ten wickets.
The Windies won the toss on day one and elected to bat before being bowled out for 282, with Gus Atkinson the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-67.
England were in a lot of trouble at 54-5 in their first innings, but Stokes and Joe Root put on 115 to swing the game back in the hosts' favour.
Then young wicket-keeper Jamie Smith took over, scoring an incredible 95 and just missing out on a first Test century.
But he helped England reach 376, which given where they were, was an impressive score.
Mark Wood then claimed 5-40 to bowl the Windies out and leave England a modest score to chase, which they did with ease.
But it was Stokes who was the hero, and his name is now etched in record books again.