West Indies vs England 1st Test: Marathon man Nkrumah Bonner gives West Indies edge over weary England

Nkrumah Bonner's considerable reserves of patience and determination paid off with an invaluable second Test century as the West Indies closed the third day of the first Test against England at 373 for nine at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Thursday. Bonner's innings of 123 spanned more than nine hours and while it will hardly ever be remembered for any attacking style or quality of strokeplay, his effort earned the home side a first innings lead of 62 runs with one wicket in hand going into day four. More than the basic numbers of the match situation though, it could prove to be an important psychological edge, especially as England would have hardly expected to be toiling through an entire day's play after they separated the overnight pair of Bonner and Jason Holder within a few minutes of the start.

But Holder's dismissal to Ben Stokes in making the score 206 for five was only a prelude to continued resistance from the West Indies lower order. Wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua da Silva (32), senior fast bowler Kemar Roach (15) and specialist spinner Veerasammy Permaul (26 not out) all played important supporting roles to Bonner. On the same ground that saw his maiden Test hundred almost exactly a year earlier ensure a draw against Sri Lanka, Bonner's effort was typically workmanlike. He faced 355 deliveries, the vast majority of them in complete control, yet still required moments of good fortune to advance his team's cause almost to the end of the day when a faint leg-side touch to a delivery from part-time leg-spinner Dan Lawrence gave wicketkeeper Ben Foakes another opportunity to show his competence behind the stumps.

"We are in a good position now but I would really like for us to bat for another hour tomorrow