A day even the purists will struggle to love. Of just 171 runs scored – all to West Indies – across 90.1 overs on an Antigua pitch that sucked the life out of every delivery and every foot thudded into the popping crease. England managed to find five wickets, some generously contributed by their opponents.
At the end of it all, West Indies were still undefeated on 373 for nine, 62 ahead, which even on a surface devoid of life is not to be sniffed at. There is still time for England to throw this away and they will need to bat at least four of the next six sessions to save them from themselves. The fear after a day like this, when they plugged away and occasionally had their spirits punctured intermittently by umpiring decisions and reviews that did not go their way, is that they may not have much more to give.
