BLACKWOOD HITS TON BUT ENGLAND ON TOP

Wed, Apr 15, '15

NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Jermaine Blackwood’s maiden Test century coupled with an incisive new-ball burst from Jerome Taylor, temporarily raised West Indies’ hopes of carving out a match-winning position but England stormed back to end day three of the opening Test on top here Wednesday.

The 23-year-old right-hander carved out a superb, unbeaten 112 as West Indies, responding to England’s first innings of 399, were dismissed for 295, 25 minutes before tea at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

Taylor then grabbed two early wickets in an excellent display of pace and swing which reduced England to 52 for three inside the first hour of the final session.

However, Gary Ballance and Joe Root restored order to the innings in an unbroken fourth wicket partnership worth 64, allowing England to snatch an overall lead of 220 heading into the fourth day.

Ballance stroked an unbeaten 44 while the in-form Joe Root was on 32, with Taylor taking two for 12 from eight testing overs.

However, it was the unflappable Blackwood who stole all the headlines, and was the impetus behind West Indies’ progress early in the day.