Ramnaresh Sarwan on Friday passed 5,000 Test runs en route to a 12th century. England laboured through another attritional, baking hot third day of the First Test as West Indies built a narrow first innings lead of 34 with three wickets remaining. At least the tourists know they are in a more rigorous contest than perhaps anticipated, and it augurs well for a competitive series.

England’s attack offered little in the first session as Chris Gayle and Sarwan extended their overnight partnership of 142 by 60 then Brendon Nash, the busy, workmanlike lefthander, and Denesh Ramdin offered more determined resistance in a stand worth 66. Gayle and Sarwan may account for 13 of Stephen Harmison’s Test wickets but there was no early joy for the Durham man on an unresponsive surface.