The West Indies wasted their hard work in the opening hour’s play on Day II of their third and final Test against England and lost wickets in clusters. They reached lunch with a score of 71/3 and were in tatters about an hour after that, having been reduced to 96/6 at St George’s in Grenada on Friday.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell shared a 50-run opening partnership but the hosts then lost three wickets. It was Ben Stokes who provided England with the breakthrough when he trapped Brathwaite (17) lbw.

In the post-lunch session, Chris Woakes struck thrice to give England the upper hand.

On Thursday, England recovered from the brink of disaster thanks to a 10th-wicket stand of 90 between Jack Leach and Mahmood, to be all out for 204. It was a modest total but still way better than the visitors could have dreamt of when they were 114/9. The home team let England off the hook with poor bowling, fielding and wicket-keeping.

In his second Test, tailender Mahmood (49) made not only his highest first-class score, but the equal third-highest by an England No. 11. Leach scored 41 not out.

This was only the second time that No.10 and 11 top-scored in a Test innings. The last time it happened was in the Sydney Test between Australia and England in February 1885, when Tom Garrett (No.10) and Edwin Evans (No.11) scored 51 not out and 33, respectively.

Brief scores: England 1st innings 204. West Indies 1st innings 96/6 (post-Lunch session, Day II).