Pietersen closes in on double-ton

Pietersen (189no) and Matthew Prior (75) were each adding to last week's Lord's hundreds, carrying the hosts to 498 for six by lunch on day two of the second Test.

The sixth-wicket pair took their stand to 160, operating at better than a run-a-minute as the West Indies attack suffered - racking up three unwanted hundreds of their own, from the seam bowling of Daren Powell, Corey Collymore and Jerome Taylor.

The tourists, hampered by the absence of injured captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, had no answer as Pietersen expertly blasted the ball to all parts - finding the angles to play almost exclusively into and through gaps, most often on the leg-side.

Wicketkeeper Prior, more orthodox but equally adventurous, did his bit to ensure England could contemplate the early declaration they may need if they are to go one up in this four-match series - given a poor weather forecast over the final three days.

Pietersen, 130 not out overnight, plundered another 59 runs in a session which yielded 132 in all.

Along the way, he had a significant moment to celebrate - when he passed 158 for the first time, having been dismissed three times on that score in his still relatively young Test career.

Prior, meanwhile, missed out on a second century in only his second Test - but did have the satisfaction of another nine boundaries under his belt by the time a fine delivery from Powell beat him on the defence and clipped the off bail.