England wins final Test match

West Indies, Kemar Roach bowls on the second day of the third test match between England and the West Indies at Lord's cricket ground in London.
West Indies, Kemar Roach bowls on the second day of the third test match between England and the West Indies at Lord’s cricket ground in London.
Associated Press / Kirsty Wigglesworth, File

England avoided a whitewash when they beat West Indies in the final of the three-Test series by 322 runs in four days.

West Indies had already retained the Wisden Trophy by winning the first two Tests in the Caribbean earlier this month.

The English set West Indies 485 runs to win and most of two days to win the third and final Test at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia on Tuesday.

England was certain of victory after day two when Mark Wood took 5-41 to earn a first innings lead of 123. After making the target unreachable on Monday, Captain Joe Root declared as soon as he was out on 123. They had a massive lead of 484 runs.

The West Indies team was without its captain Jason Holder who was banned for the final Test because of a slow over rate in the second Test.

England fast bowler James Anderson reduced the home side to l0 for 3.

By then Roston Chase was at the crease showing against the grit England generally lacked in the series.

He was on the crease when Alzarri Joseph went out blazing 34 off 30 balls and was joined by No 10 Shannon Gabriel, who was out for 3 runs, throwing his wicket away when Chase was on 98.

Then the drama unfolded when a limping Keemo Paul came out to the middle to help Chase get his century. He blocked one ball and gave Chase the strike, who clobbered Joe Denely for his 12th boundary.

Chase celebrated his fifth Test century and saw out the over on l02 not out off 191 balls. Paul made 12 before being caught and bowl by Ben Stokes.

Man-of-the Match was Mark Wood, while Man-of-the Series was Kemar Roach.