England back in charge

St. George's - Joe Root and Garry Ballance reclaimed the initiative for England who reached 253 for three in reply to the West Indies first innings total of 299 at tea on the third day of the second Test on Thursday.

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel ended Alastair Cook's quest for a first Test century in more than two years and quickly removed Ian Bell, a century-maker in the drawn first Test, to reduce the visitors to 164 for three early in the afternoon.

However the obdurate Ballance (47 not out) and the fluent Root (51 not out) progressed through the rest of the session without difficulty.