Jermaine Blackwood led the West Indies fight to remain in contention on the third day of the first test against England at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Wednesday. Despite an unbeaten 69 in his sixth test, England held the initiative as the West Indies went to lunch on 234-6, still 165 behind England's first innings total of 399.
In between a number of fine strokes that brought 23-year-old Blackwood nine fours and a second-ball six at the first interval, England paid for offering him another chance. Reprieved at 21 on the second day when his catch to first slip off Ben Stokes was negated by a no-ball decision, he was missed early Wednesday when on 43 by James Tredwell at gully off a difficult, low chance, also off Stokes.
Blackwood also endured a fierce bodyline attack from Stuart Broad with the second new ball. His hurried defensive prod against one short delivery dropped just short of wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. An over later, he needed on-field attention from the team's physiotherapist when hit on the forearm.
Blackwood and his overnight partner, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, carried their partnership to 93 before the left-handed Chanderpaul drove off-spinner Tredwell to short extra-cover at 192 for five. Chanderpaul made 46.
Broad removed Denesh Ramdin for nine, three overs before lunch, with a lifting delivery that took the West Indies captain on the glove on its way through to Buttler.
Brief Scores
England: 399 lead West Indies: 234/6 (Blackwood 69 not out, Chanderpaul 46, Braithwaite 39; Tredwell 2/32, Broad 2/67).