England has recovered from yet another top-order batting collapse to lead the West Indies by 220 runs heading into the fourth day of the first Test in Antigua.
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In reply to England’s first innings total of 399, the hosts were dismissed for 295 despite the best efforts of Jermaine Blackwood who reached an unbeaten total of 112.
Test returnee Jonathan Trott (4), skipper Alastair Cook (13) and first innings hero Ian Bell (11) were all dismissed early in England’s second innings, however Gary Ballance (44 n.o.) and Joe Root (32 n.o.) steadied the ship for the tourists to leave them 3 for 116 at the close of play.
West Indies resumed on day three at 4 for 155 but lost the ultra-defensive Shivnarine Chanderpaul for 46 after he was dismissed by James Treadwell.
Stuart Broad then picked up his second wicket of the match after Dinesh Ramdin (9) edged his delivery straight into the gloves of Jos Buttler.
23-year-old Blackwood continued to play with confidence but he was running out of batting partners after Jason Holder was caught in the covers for 16.
Kemar Roach (5) was the next to fall, before Jerome Taylor was run out for a duck.
The West Indies tail failed to wag as Sulieman Benn added just two runs before he was sent back to the pavilion by James Anderson.
Returning England opener Jonathan Trott barely improved on his first innings duck after being caught by Dinesh Ramdin on four.
Alastair Cook will find himself under immense pressure after yet another poor showing with the bat after he was caught at gully from a Jerome Taylor delivery.
Ian Bell shortly followed after he was run out on 11 to leave England reeling at 3 for 52.
However it was Ballance and Root who saved the third day for the tourists, pushing England’s lead beyond 200 heading into the fourth day.
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