Jonathan Agnew column

By Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent

England could scarcely believe their position at the end of the first day, reaching 301-3.

They were led by a rejuvenated Andrew Strauss and they now have the chance to build a series-levelling platform.

It has been a very long time since we have seen Strauss bat so well.

This was not one of those tortuous, crease-clinging centuries he scored in India before Christmas - or, indeed, in Napier last year which saved his Test career.

It was Strauss' 15th Test century

This was the Strauss of old, moving his feet positively and driving down the ground - he even hit his first six for three years!

Perhaps it is the leadership that has suddenly brought the best out of him. Responsibility can do that.

Not only did he have to haul his team out of the gutter after the horror of the 51 all out in Jamaica, but there was also the question of agreeing to play at the Recreation Ground after Friday's abandonment.

His has been a chaotic baptism, and, hopefully, it is not merely a coincidence that his true batting form has returned at the same time.

Owais Shah also batted with real flair and confidence. His dismissal on 57 was dreadful, however, when he pushed a ball into the off side but did not appear to know where it had gone.

He set off for a suicidal run and was comfortably run out by the bowler when he had a century for the taking.

The same could be said of Alastair Cook - but, sadly, it is often said of Alastair Cook at the moment. He must get back to converting fifties into hundreds.

606: DEBATE

Strauss rode that luck and was positive and aggressive but you have to acknowledge that the luck was there

glosterpowder

While England had a great day, West Indies - and Chris Gayle, their captain - had a stinker.

Gayle's bowling changes were utterly inexplicable - why on earth, after putting a team into bat - do you give your spinners and occasional bowlers more overs that your front line pacemen?

And why did he not take the new ball the moment Kevin Pietersen walked out to bat?

Instead, Brendan Nash gave KP a nice, gentle net before Gayle finally took the new ball eight overs later, and got the wicket of Strauss.

West Indies simply did not look anything like the team that demolished England at Sabina Park.

Perhaps they do not agree with this Test having been moved, but unless they find some spark - and Gayle gives the captaincy considerably more thought - they will lose their precious lead here.