Gary Ballance scores 122 as England set West Indies record target

England hold marginal supremacy heading into day five of the first Test against West Indies, requiring eight second innings wickets to secure victory after setting the hosts a world record target in Antigua.

Chasing 438 for victory, West Indies reached the close on 98 for 2 with Devon Smith unbeaten on 59, after losing Kraigg Brathwaite (5) and Darren Bravo (32). A docile pitch gives them a chance of saving the match on the final day, or even staging an unlikely victory.

Earlier, Gary Ballance's fourth Test century in nine matches helped the tourists declare on 333 for 7, with Jos Buttler's 59 from 56 balls helping to give them a seemingly unassailable advantage.

Stuart Broad dismissed Brathwaite in the second over and though Bravo and Smith put on 83 for the second wicket, Joe Root picked up the former late on after a stunning slip catch from Chris Jordan, who repeated his heroics from the first innings.

It leaves both sides heading into day five with all three results possible however England are most certainly favourites despite the favourable conditions for batting, with James Anderson chasing the two wickets he needs to become the country's leading wicket-taker.

Resuming on 116 for 3, England set about increasing their lead with some quick runs as Root (59), Ben Stokes (35) and Ballance (122) all frustrated the West Indies attack with some enterprising hitting.

Buttler helped push England's lead beyond 400 with five fours and two sixes in an innings of 59 not out, before Alastair Cook called his team in after Chris Jordan (13) was dismissed, just before tea.

It took just 11 balls of the West Indies innings for England to grab a breakthrough as some early short bowling from Broad saw Braithwaite fend the ball off straight to Root at short leg.

The hosts rebuilt through Smith and Bravo and looked set to head into day five having built the foundation for a plucky run chase but Jordan's outstanding catch off Root gives England the momentum with West Indies still 340 runs short of the victory target at stumps.