Magnificent Windies turn tables on England

By Simon Evans

BRIDGETOWN (Reuters) - England face a quest for survival after West Indies made 749 for nine declared thanks to a masterful 261 run partnership between double centurion Ramnaresh Sarwan and Denesh Ramdin.

The tourists, who survived two overs at the end of the fourth day of the fourth test to close on 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.

Sarwan fell just nine runs short of a triple century, after batting from the evening of the second day, while wicketkeeper Ramdin made 166 before being bowled by five-wicket Graeme Swann.

The West Indies score, the ninth highest innings total in a test match, 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 has 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.

That, however, was on a very different wicket than the placid surface at the Kensington Oval and a draw still remains the most likely outcome. That would leave England needing to win in next week's test in Trinidad to tie the series.

STYLISH SARWAN

Once again the elegant and poised Sarwan, who has scored three centuries in four innings in this series and made 94 the only time he fell short, was the dominating figure as he picked up from his 184 on Saturday.