England led West Indies by 136 runs and was establishing a second declaration to try to drive a end result within the second Check at Kensington Oval on Saturday.

It was to not be, because the hosts finally survived comfortably however not with out some nervous moments after shedding 4 wickets within the first 35 overs earlier than seeing out the match with out additional loss. But when West Indies keep away from defeat on Sunday it will likely be primarily as a result of Herculean efficiency of captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who batted for practically 12 hours earlier than being bowled for 160.

Brathwaite confronted 489 balls, 487 greater than fellow opener John Campbell, when his defences had been lastly breached by spinner Jack Leach with a supply that turned sufficient to beat the bat and clip off stump. His feat, aided by a century from Jermaine Blackwood, enabled West Indies to compile 411 runs and provides England a 96-run first innings lead on a pitch that England spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel described as "turgid".

After toiling for 187.5 overs within the area, England had been 40 with out loss at stumps. Openers Alex Lees (18) and Zak Crawley (21) had been principally untroubled other than an lbw choice towards Crawley that was overturned on evaluate.

Brathwaite's batting efficiency is unlikely to win any new converts to the five-day recreation, however his utter dedication to not give away his wicket cheaply was one thing that has been too usually missing from a few of his crew mates in current instances. He went 30 consecutive balls with out scoring at one stage simply earlier than lunch, eliciting a sarcastic cheer from the gang when he lastly pushed the ball for a few runs.