West Indies vs England, 2nd Test: Brathwaite, Blackwood centuries frustrate England on Day 3

West Indies' Kraigg Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood stymied a frustrated England on day three of the second Test in Barbados on Friday in a match that increasingly seems headed for a draw. Their 183-run fourth-wicket stand lifted West Indies to 288 for four in their first innings, still 219 runs behind England at stumps. Blackwood, who would have gone lbw for a duck if England had reviewed the not out decision, finally went shortly before the close for 102, plumb lbw when not offering a shot to Dan Lawrence.

But Barbadian Brathwaite was an immovable object as he played with the utmost of caution in taking 278 balls to reach his 10th Test century. He was especially proud to reach his ton in front of his mother at his home ground and received a warm ovation all round, even from many England fans in a mostly full Kensington Oval. Opener Brathwaite has been on the field for every minute of the first three days, displaying a powerful sense of concentration that has never wavered. He was 109 from 337 balls at stumps, with nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph on four.

"This one means a lot," Brathwaite said. "My mother was here. She's never watched me play a game before. It was amazing man. "It's still a decent pitch to be honest, one or two (balls keeping) a little low. "Tomorrow's crucial again. The more time we can bat the better for us. We still are a ways off their total and have to work extremely hard tomorrow." LUCKY BLACKWOODAlthough he has a mediocre batting average of barely 33, Brathwaite has been a West Indies mainstay for more than a decade and knows how to occupy the crease. He was supported on Friday by a sometimes fortunate Blackwood, who should have been sent packing twice and England both times had only themselves