Left: West Indies captain Christopher Gayle on the go during his unbeaten 71 on yesterday's second day of the first Digicel Test at Sabina Park. Right: Ramnaresh Sarwan pulling for four during his undefeated 74 on the second day of the first Test between the West Indies and England at Sabina Park.

Captain Christopher Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan slammed impressive half-centuries to put the West Indies in a commanding position against England heading into today's third day of the first Digicel Test of the 2009 Home Series.

On a day when third umpire/television referrals took some of the spotlight, the duo, who came together with the West Indies limping at 18-1, shared in an unbroken third wicket stand of 142 as, replying to the visitors credible first innings total of 318, the home team closed the day on 160-1, 159 runs shy of a first innings lead.

Stout defence

Gayle, who today will be seeking his ninth Test century in 75 outings, ended the day on a masterful 71, while Sarwan, who will be eyeing his 11th century in 74 matches, has so far scored a stroke-filled 74.

The 29-year-old Gayle who, like Sarwan, mixed stout defence with calculated aggression, has so far hit six boundaries, inclusive of three flat sixes and three fours.

The wristy Sarwan, who survived two close television lbw referrals early in his innings, the second of which was really close, has so far ticked off eight scintillating fours.

"It's a good position to be in, and the hope is that we can come tomorrow and consolidate, and put a big total on the board," said Sarwan. "The important thing is that we don't collapse, as we have seen in the past when we found ourselves in good positions, only to give it away. We have to build partnerships and maintain them."

Restricted visitors

The West Indies, who started the day needing five wickets to restrict the English to a total of under 300 runs, after the visitors had resumed at 236-5, all but did that when, thanks to left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, who claimed 4-77 off 44.2 overs, pacers Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell, who snared 3-74 and 2-54, respectively, they were able to dismiss England just shy of their target.

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who began the day on 27 not out, was the leading run-getter for England, with a patient and stylish knock of 64, which included seven boundaries, while all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who was 43 not out overnight, failed to add to his score.

"When batting we were good, as we reached our goal of getting a total over 300. However, in the field we were not so good," said Prior. "Come tomorrow (today), the plan is to be patient, take our chances and push them on the back foot, and hopefully force a collapse."

Yesterday began with the West Indies getting a breakthrough early when Powell in his first over of the day dislodged the potentially dangerous Flintoff, who in attempting to cut him to the boundary, was gobbled up at backward point by Nash with only five runs scored.

First victim

Pacer Stuart Broad was next man out. He drove loosely at a Jerome Taylor out swinger, which was pitched on or about the off stump and was caught at gully by Benn with the score on 256.

Prior, who looked very composed, then brought up his sixth Test half-century when he edged Powell through the gully region for four.

The England wicketkeeper was dismissed as he tried to up the tempo. He became Benn's first victim of the day when in attempting to hit the lanky spinner over the top, he only succeeded in spooning a return catch with the score 288-8.

Jerome Taylor, in his first over after lunch, thereafter, then removed Steve Harmison for seven in his first over after lunch after the lanky pacer played around a ball that pitched on middle stump.

Confident reply

Benn wrapped up the innings when he had Monty Panesar trapped leg before, with the left-arm spinner opting to use up the final of England's two referrals. The decision was upheld by the third/TV umpire.

West Indies then began their reply in confident style with Gayle and Grenadian Devon Smith going against Sidebottom and a fiery Flintoff, whose second ball was flat-batted for six by Gayle.

The first batsman to go was Smith who was adjudged leg before following a referral appeal by England captain, Andrew Strauss. The batsman had somehow failed to pick up a full-pitched delivery from Flintoff and did not offer a stroke. New Zealand umpire Anthony Hill had earlier given the decision not out.

Another appeal

Buoyed up by the decision, England then had another loud lbw appeal again off the bowling of Flintoff when the incoming Sarwan was hit by a ball going down leg side.

Strauss and Flintoff again made a referral appeal, however, unlike the first occasion when they were successful, replays showed that the ball not only pitched outside leg stump, but was also missing leg stump. The score was 24-1 and Sarwan was then on two.

With the score on 41-1 Sarwan was again involved in a leg before television appeal, and again he came out on the right end, being given not out after New Zealand umpire, Anthony Hill, had adjudged him plumb in front off the bowling of Harmison.

Close call

In a very close call, which took third umpire Australian Daryl Harper over three minutes to make. It brought calls for a time limit to be implemented, whereby batsmen should get the benefit of the doubt after say a minute of replays.

The ball hit Sarwan above the knee roll of his pad, and would have gone on to miss the top of middle and leg stump.

That was, however the closest that England would get to another wicket on the day as Sarwan, who grew in confidence as his innings progressed, and Gayle, who showed quite determination to bat long, saw the West Indies to close of play and in a position to pile up a sizeable total today.

ENGLAND 1st Innings

(overnight 236 for five)