Brathwaite, Blackwood centuries stymie England in third Test

Their 183-run fourth-wicket stand lifted West Indies to 288 for 4 in their first innings, still 219 runs behind England at stumps

Centuries by West Indies' Kraigg Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood stymied a frustrated England on day three of the second Test in Barbados on Friday in a match that increasingly seems headed for a draw.

Their 183-run fourth-wicket stand lifted West Indies to 288 for four in their first innings, still 219 runs behind England at stumps.

Blackwood, who would have gone lbw for a duck if England had reviewed the decision, finally went shortly before the close for 102, plumb lbw when not offering a shot to spinner Jack Leach.

Barbadian Brathwaite was an immovable object as he played with the utmost of caution in taking 278 balls to reach his 10th test century.

He received a warm ovation upon reaching his ton at his home ground even from many England fans in a mostly full Kensington Oval.

Opener Brathwaite has been on the field for every minute of the first three days, displaying a powerful sense of concentration that has never wavered.

He was 109 at stumps, with nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph on four. Though he has a mediocre batting average of barely 33, Brathwaite has been a West Indies mainstay for more than a decade and knows how to occupy the crease.