Windies' last-wicket pair stun England (From Knutsford Guardian)

Windies' last-wicket pair stun England

2:01pm Sunday 10th June 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2013

West Indies' last-wicket pair Tino Best and Denesh Ramdin have stunned England on an astonishing, record-breaking morning at Edgbaston.

Best (95) hit the highest score by a number 11 in Test history, and Ramdin (107no) completed the second hundred of his career, as they put on 143 together. In a mesmerising and hugely entertaining session, the West Indies raced from 280 for eight to 426 all out.

World number ones England simply had no answer to Best's much-improved batting as he and Ramdin lit up this previously rain-ravaged third Investec Test.

Fast bowler Best, back in Test cricket with a point to prove after a three-year absence, exhibited a carefree approach and significant skill that entirely belied his batting position - and brought him 14 fours and a six from 112 balls. Best dominated the first 50 runs of his stand with Ramdin, whose share was just eight runs.

By the time the pair had 100 between them, Ramdin was on his way to a 160-ball hundred which was followed by a notable celebration. The wicketkeeper had clearly taken criticism from West Indies great Viv Richards to heart, and dug into his pocket to unfurl a hand-written message which read 'Yeah Viv Talk Nah'.

Best, by contrast, marked his partner's achievement by immediately smashing Tim Bresnan high over long-on for six. It was the number 11 who had begun the remarkable turn of events by announcing himself with a series of unexpectedly accomplished drives against Steven Finn and Graham Onions.

But his defence and effective avoidance of the short ball were sound too, and two forces for four off Graeme Swann also required impressive footwork. England's prospects of pushing for an unlikely victory have nosedived from slim to non-existent, the West Indies the only team who could feasibly still win this dead rubber.

When Finn made short work of Ravi Rampaul, caught-behind in the first over of the morning from only the second ball he faced, it seemed England would surely wrap up the innings quickly.

But Best had other ideas and deposed Zaheer Khan as the world's most successful number 11 batsman when he cut Bresnan high over gully for four to go past the Indian's 75 against Bangladesh.

England tried to go off for lunch only to be called back by umpires who knew with nine down an extra half-hour must be played, or until a wicket fell. It did when, within one shot of a maiden first-class hundred, Best tried to complete the job in one blow but edged a smear at Onions (four for 88) high for Andrew Strauss to take the catch running back from slip.