Ben Stokes turned the heat on the West Indies as England hurry towards declaration on Day 5 of the second Test at Old Trafford, Manchester Monday. (More Cricket News)
Promoted to open the batting in the second innings, the all-rounder raced to his 22nd Test fifty in just 36 balls, with two fours and two sixes. He reached the mini-landmark with a six off the third ball of the 14th over.
Watch it here:
The 29-year-old then coped a nasty blow on the box in the very next over, bowled by Windies skipper Jason Holder.
In the process, Stokes also became the leading six-hitter in Test cricket among current players. He now has 74 maximums, two more than New Zealand's Tim Southee (72).
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His half-century is the fastest by a Test opener since David Warner's 23-ball fifty against Pakistan in January 2017.
England declared their innings on 129/3 (19) with Stokes unbeaten on 78 off 57 (four fours and three sixes).
In the first innings, the left-handed batsman a patient knock of 176 off 356 balls.
Brief scores:
ENG - 469/9 decl, 129/3 (19)
WI - 287
