West Indies battle raises more questions over England bowling attack

The limitations of an England attack missing James Anderson and Stuart were partially exposed by the West Indies, who overcame some soft dismissals to keep the first Test in the balance in Antigua.

Responding to England’s 311 all out, the West Indies closed day two on 202 for four, with two strong partnerships leaving their opponents with plenty to ponder.

Openers Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell got off to a flier as they piled on 83, before Nkrumah Bonner and Jason Holder batted throughout the evening session for an unbroken stand of 75.

Joe Root’s side started the morning by passing 300 for the first time in 13 innings and seven months, an achievement that sat squarely on the shoulders of Jonny Bairstow, who was last man out for 140.

But any satisfaction they may have felt was soon tempered by a lethargic start in the field. With the twin spectres of Anderson and Broad hovering over the narrative, a decidedly lethargic new-ball burst from Chris Woakes and Craig Overton handed the initiative to the hosts.

Brathwaite and Campbell racked up a boundary-filled partnership as England made it impossible not to wonder what their absent greats would have offered. No doubt they were asking themselves the same question, sequestered in Manchester and Nottingham respectively.

Just as things were starting to look decidedly dicey, the Windies lost their nerve as a string of careless dismissals undid much of their good work.

Campbell was first to go, gloving an errant bouncer from Overton that was disappearing down the leg side. Kraigg Brathwaite (55) and Shamarh Brooks will also kick themselves for sloppy shots, before Woakes prised out Jermaine Blackwood with the final ball before tea.

By then the momentum had been reversed, but