The morning session had everything a cricket afficianado could want; runs, wickets, slashing strokes and even missed chances. At lunch on the second day, this 1st Test match is tantalizingly poised with the West Indies 149-4 in reply to England's 1st innings total of 179. Not out are Shivnarine Chanderpaul, tentative on 14, while captain Jimmy Adams is watchful on 03.

Sherwin Campbell and Brian Lara, the overnight batsmen, seem to come out with fire in their eyes but also caution in their minds. Campbell took the entire first four overs while Lara just looked on, assessing things.

Campbell played well within himself, guiding more than driving the bowling, and managed 59, with seven fours, his 14th Test half-century in his 42nd Test, and a chance too; dropped by Graham Hick at slip from Gough's bowling when on 32, before he played completely around a very fast delivery from the effervescent Gough; bowled off stump. The ball did keep a bit low, but Campbell was probably beaten for pace. 123-3. The pair of Lara and Campbell had put on 99 runs for the 3rd wicket.

Lara then played some expansive drives, including one through backward point and another through forward square-leg, which suggested that he was getting back into some real world form.

In the meantime, Darren Gough was also working up some more speed and aggression. So too were Andy Caddick and Ed Giddins. They peppered the batsmen, especially Brian Lara, with tremendous bouncers. Indeed, the first ball that Lara received this morning hit him in the rib, bowled by Andy Caddick. The faster bowlers had a plan, and eventually it worked. Lara had just brought up his 30th Test half century when he played inside the line of another Gough missile, the resulting edge gratefully accepted by Alex Stewart, the wicketkeeper. Lara gone for 50, including nine tremendous fours; West Indies 136 -4.

With his determination and all-out aggression, Darren Gough has easily been the best English bowler, so far having figures of 3-56 from 17 overs.

Looking for a lead over England's 179 in their 1st innings, the West Indies are 149-4 at lunch on the 2nd day.

© CricInfo