EDGBASTON: England Test captain Ben Stokes is confident about his team’s future after the West Indies won the three-match series 3-0.
England dominated the Caribbean side as they recorded a 10-wicket victory in the third and final Test at Edgbaston with their captain Stokes sealing the victory with a 24-ball half-century, England’s fastest in Test history.
With England chasing a target of 82 in just 7.2 overs, their victory was secured by a remarkable spell from Mark Wood as he claimed his fifth five-wicket haul for the team.
“I think it’s one of the best performances of reverse swing I’ve seen in a long time,” Stokes said in praise of his fast bowler. “It was just amazing to see and I think there was almost a sense of relief because in the two games he’s played he’s beaten the bat so many times and he’s definitely not getting the reward he deserves.”
England play Australia in the Ashes in 18 months’ time and are focused on building their bowling attack since James Anderson retired this summer. High pace and the use of backswing is essential to success Down Under and England saw that during this series.
“I think it shows how important pace is,” Stokes said of whether England have built an attack that can succeed overseas. “You need skill to do that too…[but] having different types of options in your bowling attack arsenal is obviously key, especially when it’s flat, when it doesn’t offer you much in the air or off the wicket.
“Having Woody and Gus [Atkinson] in that game specifically I think was very good and obviously those two operating together is very, very exciting for the future of England.”
Atkinson made his England debut this summer and was named player of the series after scoring 22 goals in three games. Along with Jamie Smith, he also impressed in his first appearances for England and Stokes had nothing but high praise for both.
“They were both absolutely phenomenal,” Stokes said. “I think both of them were absolutely phenomenal and over performed, I don’t know what people expected from them. Definitely not what we expected – that’s why we picked them and gave them a chance. Obviously, Jamie has put in incredible performances with the bat, but he has also been first class behind the stumps.
“He seems to have everything as a player – he has the power play, he has the technique to get him through all the tough times, as we’ve seen on several occasions. He’s the right player.”
