Windies sweat after Moeen steps up again

wildest dreams to declare 321 ahead on 490-8.

Moeen’s 93-ball 84 was the largest and the most bruising of those knocks, though Sundaram Ravi’s contentious no-ball shout spared him on 32 and the West Indies added another shocking drop to their collection when Malan had the same score.

England skipper Root’s sporty declaration allowed his bowlers six overs before stumps but Kieran Powell and Kraigg Brathwaite held on for stumps at five without loss.

The Windies may wonder how they found themselves in this position having led by 169 after two innings, but spilled catches have cost them more than 200 runs and therein lies the answer.

Cricket’s most repeated cliche – that of the ‘big first hour’ – was well-rehearsed on the third evening but it was only at the very end of that period that either side made their move.

England had added 41 to their overnight 171 for three, mostly off Root’s bat as he ticked off yet another half-century, when Shannon Gabriel squeezed the England captain for room.

A cramped cut flew straight to Shai Hope in the gully, where he juggled but eventually held on. Root’s 72 was another example of his consistency – having passed 50 13 times in the past 12 Tests – but also the 19th time he has failed to convert.

Jason Holder took the next over and should have ended Malan’s stay with his third ball, a wide one which drew an airy stroke and a clear edge.

But the entire West Indies endeavour has been compromised by their flaky fielding and, true to form, Shane Dowrich leapt in front of first slip, distracting Powell, who grassed his second of the match.

It was a gut-punch for the cause and, while Malan only tiptoed from 32 to 40 by lunch, new man Stokes added 29 at the other end.

Holder had withheld the new