Test ratings: Joe Root orchestrates England’s recovery, Gus Atkinson makes sensational debut

• England cruised to an emphatic 10-wicket win and a series sweep on Sunday
• Joe Root fought his way to a hundred in Nottingham then staged the recovery
• Atkinson backed up his 12 for Lord’s with smart bowling in the last two matches

Mark Wood blasted the West Indies with a ferocious spell of fast bowling as England claimed a stunning 10-wicket win and a three-day series 3-0 at Edgbaston.

Wood brought the heat to Birmingham, terrorizing the tourists as he ended their second-innings resistance with the kind of destructive performance once associated with the kings of Caribbean cricket.

Ben Stokes then showed the same brilliance with the bat, taking a rare opening turn and blazing the fastest ever half-century by an Englishman – taking just 24 frantic deliveries.

The 35-year-old, who left Trent Bridge by just two wickets last week despite hitting 97mph in one of the fastest displays ever seen on English soil, has finally seen his luck change -se when he took five for 40.

Mail Sport’s LAWRENCE BOOTH was on hand to assess the performances of England’s stars in the series.

5.5 Zak Crawley He started with a fluent 76 at Lord’s but fell, not helped by a deflected run-out at the non-striker’s end at Nottingham.

7 Ben Duckett His pair of high-class seventies were instrumental in England’s victory in the second Test.

8 Ollie Pope Despite never being at his best, he managed a century and two fifties and shone at Trent Bridge.

9 Joe Root He fought his way to a hundred in Nottingham, then orchestrated England’s recovery at Edgbaston, ticking off 12,000 Tests in the process.

7.5 Harry Brook He skillfully kept the West Indies at bay in difficult conditions on the third night in Nottingham, but also conceded a few runs in the middle.

8 Ben Stokes Three half-centuries and more probing spells – the England captain is back as a Test-class all-rounder, a huge boost to the team’s balance.

8.5 Jamie Smith A triumph for the selectors. Smith was almost immaculate behind the stumps and destructive in front. Hit more sixes (fives) than any teammate.

7.5 Chris Woakes He grew in stature after a dusty start at Lord’s and played his part in England’s lower-order struggle on home ground at Edgbaston.

9 Gus Atkinson A sensational debut series where he backed up his 12-for at Lord’s with smart fast bowling in the last two games.

8 Mark Wood After shocking luck at Trent Bridge, where he performed like the wind, Wood destroyed the West Indies at Edgbaston – it was no less than he deserved.

7 Shoaib Bashir He played beautifully on the fourth night in Nottingham and clearly has the confidence of his captain – remarkable for a 20-year-old with no county experience.

8 James Anderson Signed at Lord’s with match figures of 26.4-10-58-4 and the gratitude of the nation.

West Indies

Mikyle Louis 6, Kraigg Brathwaite 6, Kirk McKenzie 1, Alick Athanaze 5.5, Kavem Hodge 7, Jason Holder 5, Joshua Da Silva 6.5, Alzarri Joseph 4.5, Gudakesh Motie 6, Kevin Sinclair 3, Jayden Seales 7, Shamar Joseph 5.