Ballance century tips scales England's way

West Indies (2-98 and 295) trail England (399 and 7-333d) by 340 runs with eight wickets remaining

Chris Jordan took a brilliant slips catch late on day four to put England firmly in the box seat in pursuit of their first-ever Test victory in Antigua after setting the West Indies an improbable 438 for victory on Thursday.

Jordan flung him self to his right with remarkable reflexes to grab the edge off West Indies left-handed No.3 Darren Bravo. The catch sent bowler Joe Root running off into the covers in celebration in an Imran Tahir-like celebration.

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Chris Jordan grabs the edge at slip // Fox Sports 

At stumps, West Indies were 2-98 with opener Devon Smith not out on 59 and Marlon Samuels (2). The Caribbean team needs another 340 runs or, more importantly, to survive 90 overs on a day-five pitch that is starting to offer turn out of the footmarks.

It looked much worse for the West Indies at tea at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, when the home side were 1-9 after opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite fended off a lifting delivery in Stuart Broad's first over to Root. 

The West Indies batsman continued to frustrate James Anderson, who is still one wicket short of equalling Sir Ian Botham's record of 383 Test scalps for England.

England's rush for runs in the afternoon session resulted in a declaration at 7-333, Gary Ballance getting to 122 for his fourth Test century.

Playing in just his ninth Test match, the Zimbabwe-born left-hander got good support from Root and Ben Stokes in continuing to dominate a deflated Caribbean bowling attack in the morning, 108 runs coming in the two hours' play for just the loss of Root's wicket.

Ballance and Root extended their overnight fourth-wicket partnership to 114 when the right-hander played on to fast-medium bowler Jason Holder for the second time in the match.

"It's been a tough winter with the World Cup disappointments and all that so it was good to get runs out here so early," Ballance said after play.

"It was tough going. You really had to grind it out in these conditions."

In conditions made for batting, Root was bitterly disappointed to have not carried on to three figures. His knock of 59 followed a vital contribution of 81 in the first innings.

Ballance faced 250 deliveries in just over five hours at the crease, stroking 11 fours and two sixes before the quest for quick runs brought about his demise to the persevering Benn.

Jos Buttler dominated the free-flowing second session. Arriving at the crease after Ben Stokes was stumped off the bowling of Sulieman Benn almost immediately after lunch, he smashed his way to an unbeaten 59.