Third straight ton for Bopara

Ravi Bopara made it three centuries in three innings as England punished the West Indies bowlers on Thursday to reach 302 for two on the first day of the second Test. Alistair Cook also made his ninth Test century to share in a second-wicket partnership of 213 with Bopara who was bowled for 108 by Lionel Baker. Cook finished the day unbeaten on 126. After Englands 10-wicket triumph at Lords,the opening days batting performance on a cold day gave the West Indies little hope of winning the second Test to square the series.

Bopara joins Herbert Sutcliffe,Dennis Compton,Geoffrey Boycott and Graham Gooch as England players who have scored three centuries in three innings.

After winning the toss,England captain Andrew Strauss made 26 before he was given out caught behind by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin off spinner Chris Gayle with 69 runs on the board. Cook and Bopara then continued the leisurely pace of the morning session in front of a sparse crowd.

Brief scores: England 302-2 in 90 overs A Cook batting 126,R Bopara 108; C Gayle 1-28 vs West Indies