Ben Stokes breaks Ian Botham's 43-year-old record, smashes fastest fifty by an England batter

Ben Stokes smashed 57 off just 28 deliveries in fourth innings against the West Indies.

England’s veteran all-rounder and test captain Ben Stokes added another achievement to his glorious career. The veteran cricketer Stokes shattered former all-rounder Ian Botham’s 43-year-old record with his 24-ball fifty against the West Indies in Birmingham.

The 33-year-old Stokes achieved this remarkable achievement during the final match of the three-match test series against the West Indies at the Edgbaston in Birmingham on July 28.

While chasing 82 runs, England skipper Stokes himself came out to open alongside Ben Duckett. Stokes smashed a 24-ball fifty, which is now the fastest fifty ever by an England batter in test cricket. Sir Ian Botham had hit a 28-ball half-century against India back in 1981, which was England’s fastest test fifty until now.

Overall, the England captain Stokes smashed the joint-third fastest fifty by a test batter. He equaled South African cricketer Jacques Kallis’ record, who smashed a 24-ball fifty against Zimbabwe in 2005.

The veteran all-rounder Stokes went on to score 57* runs off 28 deliveries, which included nine boundaries and two maximums, as the hosts won the match by 10 wickets against West Indies.

Fastest test fifties (by balls faced)

• 21 – Misbah-ul-Haq (PAK) vs AUS, Abu Dhabi, 2014
• 23 – David Warner (AUS) vs PAK, Sydney, 2017
• 24 – Jacques Kallis (SA) vs ZIM, Cape Town, 2005
• 24 – Ben Stokes (ENG) vs WI, Edgbaston, 2024
• 25 – Shane Shillingford (WI) vs NZ, Kingston, 2014

Fastest fifties by England batters in test cricket (by balls faced)

• Ben Stokes – 24 balls
• Ian Botham – 28 balls
• Jonny Bairstow – 30 balls
• Ian Botham – 32 balls
• Ben Duckett – 32 balls

What happened during the third test between England and West Indies?

West Indies posted 282 runs in their first innings as skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (61) and ace all-rounder Jason Holder (59) played gritty knocks. For the hosts, Gus Atkinson took four wickets, whereas Chris Woakes dismissed three batters.

In reply, England lost five wickets inside 100 runs, but veteran batter Joe Root (87) and youngster Jamie Smith (95) helped them reach 376 runs in their first innings, which helped them take a lead of 94 runs.

In the second innings, the West Indies were all out for just 175 runs and managed to set a target of just 82 runs for England to complete the whitewash. While chasing, England skipper Ben Stokes notched up a classy half-century, which helped the hosts clinch the game by 10 wickets and whitewash the West Indies 3-0.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket for IPL 2024 Live Score & IPL Points Table,  on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.