Atherton stands firm against Walsh

At tea, England had crawled to 169-7, whose batting has been notoriously fallible.

A draw would be enough for England to win a series against the West Indies for the first time in 31 years.

Atherton, who made the top score of 83 in the first innings of 281, was less fluent but equally stubborn on Sunday. He needed all his technique, resolution and concentration to counter Walsh, who will announce after his return to Jamaica whether he will join his comrade-in-arms Curtly Ambrose in retirement.

Walsh bowled a wonderful 11-over spell before Lunch, taking the wicket of Graham Thorpe for 10 while conceding only four runs. He beat Atherton three times in succession in one over and vented his frustration at the phlegmatic England opener in a rare verbal outburst.

England added only 47 runs to their overnight 56-2 in the morning session, entirely due to the accuracy of Walsh and Ambrose with the latter bowling six overs for six runs.

Atherton reached his 42nd Test half century in 246 minutes with five fours from 184 deliveries. It was the eighth time he had scored two 50s in the same Test.

Scoreboard

England (1st innings): 281

West Indies (1st innings): 125

England (2nd innings; overnight 56-2): Michael Atherton c Jacobs b Walsh 108 Marcus Trescothick c Lara b Ambrose 7, Nasser Hussain lbw b McLean 0, Graham Thorpe c Griffith b Walsh 10, Alec Stewart c Campbell b Nagamootoo 25, Michael Vaughan lbw b Walsh 9, Graeme Hick c Campbell b Walsh 0, Craig White run out 18, Dominic Cork lbw b McLean 2,6 Andy Caddick c Jacobs b McLean 0, Darren Gough not out 1; Extras (b1, lb7, nb5) 13; Total (all out in 108 overs) 217.

Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-29, 3-56, 4-121, 5-139, 6-139, 7-163, 8-207, 9-207

Bowling: Ambrose 22-8-36-1 (4nb); Walsh 38-17-73-4 (1nb); McLean 22-5-60-3; Nagamootoo 19-7-29-1; Adams 7-3-11-0