Despite Jermaine Blackwood's century, England on top in first test

Despite a maiden century, 112 not out by the West Indies 23-year-old middle order batsman, Jermaine Blackwood, England remain in charge of the first test being played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.

Blackwood, playing in his 6th test, showed resolve and the requisite capacity required under the circumstances when the Windies were struggling on 89-3 and then 99-4.

He reached his century about an hour after lunch on day-3 after resuming on 39 with the West Indies on 155-4 and trailing overnight by 244 runs. Blackwood drove past mid off to get the needed single, with his maiden century coming off 205 deliveries including 13x4s and 2x6s. Immediately after celebrating his century, he lost partner Jason Holder who drove uppishly to Gary Ballance at cover off James Tredwell. Holder gone for 16 off 44 balls and he shared a 49 run stand for the 7th wicket with Blackwood.

In the end, Blackwood was left undefeated on 112 off 220 balls, 14x4s and 2x6s with a strike rate of 50.90. Truly, Blackwood was the glue who tried to hold the Windies innings together.

Earlier, the rock, Shivnarine Chanderpaul departed for 46, caught by Ben Stokes off Tredwell at 5-192. Blackwood and Chanderpaul put on 93 for the 6th wicket. Then skipper Denesh Ramdin, enduring a wretched run with the bat, made 9 before he was caught down the legside by wicketkeeper Josh Buttler off Stuart Broad at 6-227.

Kemar Roach made 5 and gave wicketkeeper Josh Buttler his 5th catch behind the stumps, this one off Tredwell, while Jerome Taylor was needlessly run out for a duck and Sulieman Benn was caught down the leg side by Joe Root off the glove for 2.

The West Indies bowled out for 295 twenty minutes before the scheduled tea break, which led to an early tea break to be taken. England, therefore, in the driver's seat  with a 104 run lead on first innings.

James Tredwell 4-47 was England's leading wicket taker, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson each returned 2-67,  Chris Jordan 1-46 and Ben Stokes 0-64.

When England started their second innings in the final session, Jerome Taylor bowled an inspired spell, and reduced the tourists to 20-2 after sending back Jonathan Trott for 4 at 1-15 and skipper Alastair Cook for 13 at 2-20. Ian Bell was then run out for 11 at 3-52, as Bell and Gary Ballance had a mix-up.

But Ballance 44 not out and Joe Root, 32 not out, have so far added 64 for the 4th wicket, as England closed on 116-3 for an overall lead of 220 runs with two days to go.

Taylor has so far claimed 2-12 off 8-overs including 4 maidens; Kemar Roach 9 overs 1 maiden 0-32; Jason Holder has sent down 7 overs with 3 maidens and has taken 0-20, while Sulieman Benn bowled 9 overs including 2 maidens and returned 0-34. Benn ended with 0-85 in the first innings.

Scores: England 399 and 116-3; West Indies 295.

Thursday's 4th day begins at 9am Jamaica time at North Sound in Antigua.