The West Indies and England will begin the Day 2 of the first Test match, in Antigua, on Wednesday, with the tourists on 268/6. Jonny Bairstow is on 109 and Chris Woakes on 24.
Had any England fan been offered that score after the first morning’s play, they would have gladly taken it. After their side had won the toss, they slumped to 48/4, with all top order batters back in the pavilion.
With memories of the humiliation in the Ashes fresh in the minds, another embarrassment seemed to be on the cards.
It was left to two senior players, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow, to rescue the situation. They put on 77 for the fifth wicket and, after Stokes was bowled for 36, Ben Foakes, restored to the side, played sensibly for his 42, helping England past the 200 mark before he was out.
Woakes then came in to keep Bairstow company. The Yorkshireman reached his seventh Test century before the close of play.
The West Indies will be disappointed by, having established an early grip on the match, they then let it slip, although that may have had something to do with the pitch getting easier for batting.
Certainly, there was very little in for the spinners. Veerasammy Permaul bowled 13 overs and hardly got the ball to turn.
England will look to bat on as long as possible and will be hoping to get a score in excess of 300.
What remains to be seen is how well they will be able to bowl in turn. Having made the controversial decision of leaving both James Anderson and Stuart Broad at home, England's attacking options were further diminished when Ollie Robertson was forced to miss the match through injury.
Craig Overton, his replacement, has little experience of Test cricket. Mark Wood and Woakes may thus have to shoulder most of the attacking burden. Stokes, too, will have to bowl his share of overs. Given his injury problems during the Australian tour, there must be question marks over his fitness.
Fantasy tips
- England to pass the 300 mark, but the West Indies to be chasing down their total by close of play on Wednesday.
- One of the top four West Indian batters is likely to get a big score at least.