Bell steers England against Windies

Ian Bell's composed 143 was the cornerstone of England's revival to reach 5-341 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies on Monday.

On the pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua that lived up its well-established reputation as a featherbed, the 33-year-old right-hander respected the early excellence of a disciplined fast bowling attack before flourishing in the remaining two sessions of the day.

His 22nd Test century spanned 342 minutes, was embellished by 20 fours and one six and was notched against the same opponents he made his debut against 11 years earlier at The Oval in London.

Bell looked set to continue into the second day but was undone by a superb delivery from the persevering Kemar Roach with the second new ball, caught behind in the penultimate over before stumps were drawn.

He received considerable assistance from Joe Root in the rescue effort as the slimly-built Yorkshireman stroked 83 in a 177-run fourth-wicket partnership that drained the enthusiasm from the home side's frontline bowlers.

Image Id: ~/media/D69F52AFAF6D4E8BB4BC86B54EB2840EJoe Root and Ian Bell // Getty Images

They came together within the first hour's play as Jerome Taylor, Roach and Jason Holder all struck to have England 3-34 after Denesh Ramdin won the toss and chose to bowl first.

All-rounder Ben Stokes batted in keeping with the transformed mood of the day's play when he replaced Root, who played on to Taylor at the start of the final session.

Stokes increased the pressure on a deflated Caribbean side with an unbeaten 71 at almost a run-a-ball that overshadowed the classy vigilance of senior partner Bell in a stand that realised 130 runs for the fifth wicket.

Stokes will eye off his second Test century when he resumes with James Tredwell on day two.

Image Id: ~/media/1B1F1B0370C644178A87D90DD7B1DA52Ben Stokes hits a six as Denesh Ramdin looks on // Getty Images

It was so very different in the early exchanges, however, as England's woes from the World Cup embarrassment seemed set to continue when Jonathan Trott, in his 50th Test, edged a delivery from Taylor before he had scored for Darren Bravo to take a regulation catch at first slip in the day's first over.

It was Trott's first appearance for the senior England side since leaving the Ashes tour of Australia 17 months earlier at the end of the first Test for what was believed to be a stress-related illness.

His opening partner, Alastair Cook (11), lasted just another half-an-hour before a tentative forward prod resulted in an inside-edge off Roach onto his stumps.

Image Id: ~/media/917FFBA7B18849B0AA1BD1F8B19B0A59Kemar Roach celebrates taking Alastair Cook's wicket // Getty Images

Gary Ballance (10) was England's other casualty of the morning, the attacking left-hander drawn to chase a wide delivery from Holder for Bravo to take his second catch at slip.

Sulieman Benn, preferred as the lone specialist spinner over Devendra Bishoo, despite the leg-break bowler's outstanding domestic season for his native Guyana, made no positive impact for the home side, conceding 85 runs off 26 wicketless overs.

England's frontline seamer James Anderson is playing in his 100th Test, the 13th England cricketer to reach the landmark.

He needs four more wickets to surpass Sir Ian Botham's record of 383 wickets as the most by an Englishman.

Should the visitors continue to pile on the runs on the second day, Anderson and the other England bowlers will have the advantage of a formidable total to defend against a batting side noted for its fickleness and unpredictability.