England completes consolation victory

CARY, North Carolina: England wrapped up a comprehensive 232run victory over West Indies in the third test in St Lucia yesterday after home batsman Roston Chase made a century but got little help.

No 5 Chase scored an unbeaten 102 for his fifth test ton, after England pace bowler James Anderson ripped through the home side’s top order with three quick wickets.

Although West Indies had already won the series with victories in the first two tests, England’s win in the finale will provide a pickmeup as it eyes a home Ashes series against Australia starting in August.

‘‘This week should be a real confidence booster going into a very exciting summer of cricket,’’ England captain Joe Root said at the victory presentation.

Chasing an unlikely target of 485 runs for victory on day four, West Indies made 252 in its second innings.

Chase brought up his century with his team already nine wickets down when he cut parttimer spinner Joe Denly for four.

He was aided by an entertaining 34 by tailender Alzarri Joseph, who slogged three sixes, but pickings were otherwise slim for the host, which crumbled again after scoring only 154 in its first knock.

Mark Wood, who picked up five wickets in the first innings, added another in the second innings and was named Player of the Match.

Anderson finished with three for 27, while spinner Moeen Ali had three for 99 as England won with more than a day to spare. — Reuters