Zak Crawley and Joe Root put England on firmer footing against West Indies

Zak Crawley and Joe Root put England on a firmer footing on day four of the first Test against the West Indies, sharing unbeaten half-centuries to move their side into the lead in Antigua.

England began their second innings 64 runs behind after finally bowling out the hosts for 375, leaving their fragile top order with work to do.

Having slumped to 48 for four on the first morning at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, a repeat performance would have been calamitous. But although debutant opener Alex Lees completed a disappointing start to his international career with a second cheap dismissal, twin half-centuries from Crawley and Root steered the tourists away from danger.

At tea they had moved the score to 146 for one, with Crawley 79 not out and Root following with an unbeaten 55.

After toiling away for 157.3 overs to bowl out the Windies, England’s serene progress did little to remove the suspicion that this was a tired track ready to serve up a draw. In the absence of any dramatic deterioration, forcing a positive result on day five may require something out of the ordinary.

England resumed needing one West Indian wicket after a draining day in the field and were relieved to see Jack Leach nip out Jayden Seales lbw with the third ball of the morning.

It was a deserved second success for Leach, who sent down 43.3 overs and 20 maidens on an unhelpful surface.

That brought England’s openers back to the crease, looking to make amends after a pair of single-figure dismissals on day one.

Kemar Roach made a game attempt to unsettle both in the first over, teasing Lees’ outside edge as he swished with flat feet and winning an lbw decision against Crawley with a hooping inswinger. DRS came to the latter’s aid, and rightly so,