Ben Stokes smashes brilliant century for England against West Indies

The all-rounder brought up his ton from just 114 balls in the second Test in Barbados.

Stokes reached three figures in the Test arena for the first time in nearly two years as the tourists piled on the runs in Bridgetown.

He hit 11 fours and four sixes in a confident innings as England dominated the early stages of the second day.

Stokes raised his arms to the skies after moving to a hundred, after a morning session in which the Cockermouth star and captain Joe Root had gone on the attack.

Stokes’ century live from Barbados 😍

(Life’s alright for one member of Durham’s media team today 🙄)#ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/B4IXClH6Qe

— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) March 17, 2022

Stokes was finally dismissed for 120 from 128 balls, holing out on the long-off boundary off the bowling of Kraigg Brathwaite.

Root had earlied been dismissed for 153 when he was trapped LBW by Kemar Roach.

An 11th Test hundred for Ben Stokes from 114 balls. A supremely confident and, at times, brutal exhibition of batting. Back to his best after his extended break from the game last year. Has worked hard to get here, and we are the lucky ones who get to watch the end result.

— Dean Wilson (@CricketMirror) March 17, 2022

Stokes was then joined by Jonny Bairstow as England passed 400 for the loss of four wickets.

England had resumed on 244-3 after day one, with the tourists having recovered from the early loss of opener Zak Crawley for a duck.

Alex Lees contributed 30 while Dan Lawrence hit 91.

Stokes came into the series pledging to make his mark for England after claiming he had let the team and himself down in last winter's Ashes series.