3 Mar 2009

Windies pile on the runs in fourth test against England

5:58 am on 3 March 2009

England face a quest for survival after West Indies made a mammoth 749 for nine declared in their first innings of the fourth cricket test in Bridgetown.

The tourists, survived two overs at the end of the fourth day of the fourth test to close at six without loss, trail by 143 runs and now have virtually no chance of winning the series which West Indies lead 1-0 with one match remaining.

Ramnaresh Sarwan fell made 291.

The West Indies score, the ninth highest innings total in a test match, and sets up an unexpectedly tricky final day for Andrew Strauss's side after they made 600 for six declared in their first innings.

No team's ever lost a test match after making such a big first innings total but West Indies will take heart from the first test when they bowled a panicking England out for 51.