England beat West Indies by 232 runs in final test

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England's Mark Wood celebrates with team mates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

(Reuters) - England wrapped up a comprehensive 232-run victory over West Indies in the third test in St Lucia on Tuesday after home batsman Roston Chase made a century but got little help.

Number five 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 pick-me-up as they eye a home Ashes series against Australia starting in August.

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England's Joe Root applauds the fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

"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 their second innings.

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

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England's James Anderson appeals for the wicket of West Indies' Darren Bravo Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

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

"We still have a lot of improvement to make but lots of positives came out of the series," said West Indies captain Jason Holder, who was suspended for the match due to his team's slow over rate in the second test.

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England's Mark Wood is interviewed after winning player of the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

NO ANSWER

West Indies' top order had no answer to Anderson's movement off the seam, with John Campbell (golden duck), Kraigg Brathwaite (eight) and Darren Bravo (duck), all caught in the slip-gully cordon.

Mark Wood, who picked up five wickets in the first innings, continued his outstanding match when he had Shai Hope (14) caught at cover off a leading edge just before lunch. Wood was later named Player of the Match.

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England's Mark Wood celebrates taking the wicket of West Indies' Shai Hope Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

"He bowled fantastically well, a huge amount of pace," Root said. "It's great to see him come back into the side and put in such a strong performance... and now prove how good a player he is."

Anderson finished with 3-27, while spinner Moeen Ali had 3-99 as England won with more than a day to spare.

Denly also did his part, delivering an excellent throw from the outfield to run out Shimron Hetmyer for 19.

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England's Mark Wood (L) celebrates taking a catch off the bowling of Moeen Ali (R) to take the wicket of West Indies' Kemar Roach (not pictured) Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Earlier, Root declared his team's second innings immediately upon his dismissal for 122, with the visitors 361 for five. Ben Stokes was unbeaten on 48.

England batted for only 5.2 overs, adding a quick 36 runs to their overnight total.

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England's Moeen Ali and James Anderson celebrate the wicket of West Indies' Alzarri Joseph Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Ken Ferris)

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England's Moeen Ali celebrates with James Anderson and Keaton Jennings after taking a catch to dismiss West Indies' John Campbell Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England's Jonny Bairstow runs out West Indies' Shimron Hetmyer Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England's Joe Root shakes hands with West Indies' Shannon Gabriel after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England's James Anderson celebrates taking the wicket of West Indies' Darren Bravo Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 West Indies' Shimron Hetmyer Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England's Joe Root declares after being caught by West Indies' Kraigg Brathwaite Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England's Moeen Ali takes a catch to dismiss West Indies' John Campbell Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 England fans looking out of the scoreboard during the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 West Indies' Roston Chase in action Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Cricket - West Indies v England - Third Test - Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia - February 12, 2019 West Indies' players celebrate with the Wisden Trophy after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs