Matt Prior joined Paul Collingwood and skipper Andrew Strauss as first-innings centurions as England piled up 490 for five at tea on the second day of the fifth and final test against West Indies on Saturday. West Indies used eight bowlers, including the rare spin of opening batsman Devon Smith and the medium pace of debutant batter Lendl Simmons, as England accumulated runs at a steady 3.2 runs an over against a defensive field on a slow track.
The home team, who have looked content to play for a draw from the outset, gained two early breakthroughs when Fidel Edwards bowled Strauss around his legs, the England captain having added three runs to his overnight 139. The England captain batted doggedly on Friday to grind his way to his third hundred in the five-Test series, an undefeated 139, his 17th Test hundred.
It lifted his side to 258 for two in their first innings when stumps were drawn on the opening day of the fifth and final Test at Queens Park Oval. Owais Shah, resuming his innings after retiring hurt with hand cramp on Friday, was then run out for 33 after taking a risky single to substitute fielder Dwayne Bravo at mid-wicket.
Wicketkeeper Prior and Collingwood (161) put on 218 for the fifth wicket until the latter was trapped leg before to give paceman Lionel Baker his first test scalp. Prior was 108 not out, his second test century, at tea with Stuart Broad unbeaten on two.