Bairstow ton rescues England after dismal start

Jonny Bairstow's eighth Test hundred anchored England’s revival from a woeful start in reaching 268 for six at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against West Indies in Antigua on Tuesday.

Bairstow’s composed, unbeaten 109 was the foundation upon which the tourists rallied from 48 for four after captain Joe Root won the toss and opted to bat.

He faced 216 deliveries, stroking 17 fours in an effort already spanning more than five hours to tilt the balance of the day’s play significantly. Bairstow received invaluable support from Ben Stokes (36) in putting on 67 for the fifth wicket to trigger a resistance.

That was followed by an even more productive association with Ben Foakes (42) as 99 runs were added for the sixth wicket before another all-rounder Chris Woakes (24 not out) ensured the Englishmen capitalised on a tiring Caribbean side with an unbroken seventh-wicket stand already worth 54 runs.

“We’ve spoken about partnerships and how invaluable they can be, not just up at the top but throughout the order and it’s very important for us to continue that effort tomorrow,” said a beaming Bairstow at the end of the day. I think there’s plenty still in it (for the bowlers) so we have to continue to bat well again.”

In stark contrast to the opening exchanges when the West Indies seemed capable of doing no wrong, the next two sessions of the day belonged to the visitors as 211 runs were added for the loss of just two more wickets.

While Bairstow was concerned about the pitch already showing signs of deterioration, Roach held a different view.

“Obviously we were tiring in that final session of the day and should have been tighter with our lines and lengths,” he acknowledged. “We have to get the remaining wickets as quickly as possible and then go out there and respond strongly to give ourselves a first innings lead. I think it is a very good pitch to bat on.”

England’s fragile top-order had again been exposed within the first half-hour of the match with Root’s dismissal. He was the second wicket for Roach after he dismissed Alex Lees was sent back in the third over.

Seales then accounted for Zak Crawley's wicket, after Joshua da Silva took an outstanding diving catch.  England enjoyed some good fortune when Root's leading edge was put down by Jermaine Blackwood at third slip off Roach. The veteran pacer, however, got the next ball to move into the righthander and clip his off stump.

Stokes joined Dan Lawrence and the pair looked to be coping well Holder drew Lawrence into a forward prod for a good catch to Blackwood. Seales ended Stokes' vigil soon while Holder sent back Ben Foakes.

However by then England’s recovery was well and truly underway with Bairstow bringing up a deserved hundred off the part-time bowling of West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite.