Ben Stokes destroys West Indies as England take charge in Barbados

A charismatic century from Ben Stokes piled pressure on the West Indies in Barbados, before England debutant Matthew Fisher enjoyed an unforgettable introduction to international cricket.

Stokes enjoyed a rowdy knock on day two of the second Test, plundering 120 at nearly a run-a-ball with six sixes launched over the ropes and 11 boundaries.

Building on the earlier work of Joe Root, who finished with a fine 153, Stokes powered his way to a first century in 20 months as the tourists declared on a formidable 507 for nine at the Kensington Oval.

England bowlers rarely have the luxury of defending such a total – this was only the third time they had breached 500 since August 2017 – and new boy Fisher made it pay with a wicket from his second ball.

The 24-year-old from York was brought on tour for experience after the decision to drop James Anderson and Stuart Broad and was only added to the XI here after Craig Overton’s last-minute withdrawal.

Having watched the West Indies bowlers toil for 150 bruising overs he saw his first ball pushed to the boundary, only to take John Campbell’s inside edge with his next delivery.

That was the only wicket to fall as the hosts reached 71 at the close and there is plenty of hard work ahead to turn England’s strong position into a winning one.

There was a touching moment when Fisher pointed to the sky as he celebrated joyously with his new team-mates, with the seamer having lost his father Phil as a 14-year-old. Earlier, when Stokes had put the finishing touches to his 11th career ton, he had raised a bent middle finger in memory of his own late father Ged.

Both men were making their families, and their country, proud as they drove England on in Bridgetown. Fisher was later denied a second