Ian Bell's composed 143 was the cornerstone of England's revival from the unease of 34 for three to the considerable comfort of 341 for five at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies on Tuesday. His 22nd Test century spanned 342 minutes and was embellished by 20 fours and one six, most of those boundaries completed with the trademark polish for which he has been identified since making his debut against the same opponents 11 years earlier at The Oval in london.
Bell looked set to continue into the second day, only to be undone by a superb delivery from the persevering Kemar Roach with the second new ball to be caught at the wicket in the penultimate over before stumps were drawn. He received considerable assistance from Joe Root in the rescue effort as the slimly-built Yorkshireman stroked 81 in a 177-run fourth-wicket partnership that drained the enthusiasm from the home side's frontline bowlers in relentless late afternoon sunshine.
They came together within the first hour's play as Jerome Taylor, Roach and Jason Holder all struck to have Denesh Ramdin and the rest of his team delighted with decision to bowl first. All-rounder Ben Stokes batted in keeping with the transformed mood of the day's play when he replaced Root, who played on to Taylor at the start of the final session.
Stokes increased the pressure on a deflated Caribbean side with a stroke-filled 71 not out at almost a run-a-ball that overshadowed the classy vigilance of his senior partner in a stand that realised 130 runs for the fifth wicket.
Brief Scores
England: 399 (Ian Bell 143, Joe Root 83, Ben Stokes 79; Roach 4/94, Taylor 3/90) vs West Indies.