By Jonathan Agnew BBC cricket correspondent

It was fitting that Brian Lara's men should produce their worst performance of the series on the day Test Match Special listeners were treated to great West Indian players such as Andy Roberts and Michael Holding bemoaning the state of their team.

It was not simply that they folded to 152 all out, or that they allowed England's tailenders to run riot with the bat.

Harmison starred with both bat and ball on Friday

It was the absolute lack of discipline, energy or commitment in the field that said everything about the morale and attitude of this team at present.

The day before the Old Trafford Test, I reported that I had been shocked by the fielding practice of the West Indians.

This display was simply an extension of what took place that afternoon - and, presumably, before every match they have played.

If your practice is sloppy and lacklustre, it is inevitable that you will perform like that in the match.

What was so bitterly disappointing for Lara was that within 19 balls of the day, he had captured the prize wickets of Geraint Jones and Andrew Flintoff, neither of whom had added a run to their overnight scores.

It was the dream start and, with the second new ball still rock hard and shiny, they were into the tail.

Lara's innings of 79 was as beautiful as it was angry

But then it all went horribly wrong as Ashley Giles and Matthew Hoggard dug in and added 87 for the 8th wicket. Giles scored 52, and Hoggard passed his highest score in Test cricket to make 38.

When they fell, one or two thought that England might declare - but they had not finished yet. Steve Harmison hammered three sixes in his 36 as he and James Anderson put on 60 from only 60 balls.

Within 11 overs, West Indies were 26-3 and the writing was on the wall. Harmison bounded in with his rhythm restored and bowled lightning quick.

As the middle order crumbled, only Lara stood up to the onslaught and his innings of 79 was as beautiful as it was angry.

Harmison claimed 6-46 and, in sharp contrast to their opponents, England's catching was outstanding.

The force is with them, and although a cavalier Chris Gayle became the first batsman ever to hit all six balls of an over for four, surely only rain will prevent Michael Vaughan's team from achieving a whitewash.