An unbeaten century from Jonny Bairstow helped England finish Day 1 of the first Test match against West Indies on 268/6 after they were left reeling at 48/4. Bairstow, currently on 109, forged crucial partnerships with Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes to prevent another batting collapse.
England lost openers Zak Crawley and Alex Lees inside the first four overs. Lees got pinned leg-before by Kemar Roach, while Crawley edged to Joshua Da Silva off Jayden Seales.
Joe Root struck three fours before getting bowled by Roach for 13. Dan Lawrence, too, fell cheaply to Jason Holder, who looked the most threatening throughout the day to return figures of 16-9-15-2. However, after the initial burst, Roach lost his control and leaked over four an over.
Stokes and Bairstow batted almost 20 overs and added 67 for the fifth wicket until Seales got the former for 36. Foakes made 42 in 87 balls with eight fours before being trapped leg-before by Holder.
On Day 2, Bairstow will have to bat smartly with Chris Woakes and the tail to drive England to a score in excess of 350 in the first innings.
England 268/6 (Jonny Bairstow 109*; Jason Holder 2-15) vs West Indies.