England whitewash West Indies

LONDON: England hammered West Indies by ten wickets inside three days to win the Fourth Test at the Oval yesterday, claiming a 4-0 series whitewash and a record-equalling seventh consecutive Test win. The touring side were bowled out for 318 following on with pace bowler James Anderson taking four for 52 and “Man-of-the-Match” Steve Harmison finishing with match figures of nine for 121.

England had to bat again but Marcus Trescothick knocked off the one run needed to win with a boundary. They have now equalled the England record of seven successive Test wins set in 1928/29 and have also completed ten wins out of 11 this year, including the 3-0 victory in the Caribbean in April. That betters the nine out of ten wins recorded by Mike Brearley’s side in 1978/79. “Everyone played their part...it has been a fantastic summer and we will enjoy it,” England captain Michael Vaughan said before lifting the Wisden Trophy in front of a jubilant crowd. Dwayne Bravo and the tourists “man-of-the-Series” Shivnarine Chanderpaul had earlier frustrated England with an 82-run fifth wicket stand to slow their quest for a second successive series clean sweep after the 3-0 rout of New Zealand in May and June. Bravo made 54, the second half century in his first Test series, before Matthew Hoggard trapped him leg before wicket in the first ball after the drinks break while Chanderpaul (32) fell just before tea, spinner Ashley Giles finding a faint edge behind.

Dwayne Smith was carrying a shoulder injury but wielded his bat freely before cutting England “Man-of-the-Series” Andrew Flintoff to Anderson at point for 28. Anderson, who had taken only three wickets in the previous two Tests, removed Brian Lara (15) and opener Chris Gayle, for a whirlwind 105, before lunch. They resumed on 84 for two but Lara fell after 35 minutes of the morning session, edging a full delivery to Trescothick, who took a low catch at first slip. The 35-year-old Lara was warmly applauded as he left the field after what was almost certainly his final Test innings in England. West Indies are not scheduled to tour here again until 2010.

“Congratulations must go to Michael Vaughan and the team,” Lara said. “They played really well not just here but against New Zealand and in the Caribbean. “I want to wish them all the best against South Africa (in December) and the all important Ashes (against Australia) next year.” Gayle, 59 not out overnight, raced to his sixth Test century and first against England off just 80 balls. Producing several flourishing strokes, he smashed 17 fours and a six before celebrating his hundred by punching the air. He departed soon after, however, edging Anderson to Flintoff, who made another fine low catch in the slips.