England struggle in deciding third Test against West Indies in Grenada

England were running the risk of throwing away their hard work in the West Indies after collapsing to 114 for eight in the series decider.

After making the running in drawn games at Antigua and Barbados, the tourists made a mess of their first innings in Grenada after being sent in.

The lifeless nature of the pitches in the first two matches had frustrated England, but when faced with a livelier surface their batting was found wanting in this third Test.

Home captain Kraigg Brathwaite was brave enough to trust his bowlers after winning the toss and his gamble paid off as an all-seam attack made the most of some handy movement that exposed some familiar frailties.

Opener Alex Lees was the only member of the top seven to reach double figures with 31, while captain Joe Root’s dismissal for a duck proved a hammer blow.

Things went from bad to worse after lunch, with Ben Stokes, Lees and Jonny Bairstow falling in the space of 10 balls without a run being scored.

The day had started undramatically, with Lees and Zak Crawley blotting out just under an hour as they hung in against the new ball.

The lack of early chances may have been nagging away at Brathwaite but the introduction of all-rounder Kyle Mayers, recalled here in place of spinner Veerasammy Permaul, spared him any further recriminations.

Settling in at a modest pace around 75mph he preyed on Crawley’s cravings for a cover drive, with his first attempt lobbed gently into the hands of the catcher in front of square.

Mayers followed up with the big wicket of of Root, playing in the danger area outside off and nicking through to Josh Da Silva. He signed off after five overs, having yet to concede a run.

A third wicket just before the break made it the Windies’ session,