Owais Shah paid the price for trying to inject some urgency into England's second innings in Antigua this afternoon after they had pottered along for an hour despite already having a stranglehold on the Third Test against West Indies.

With opener Alastair Cook and nightwatchman Jimmy Anderson adding only 38 runs in 13 overs, Andrew Strauss's men appeared to be in no real hurry at the start of the fourth day.

But Shah's arrival, once Anderson was caught behind for 20 when trying to force the pace against Daren Powell, brought an injection of excitement — especially once he hoisted the same bowler way over mid-wicket for six.

After making 14, though, the Middlesex man tried to clear the rope again but this time was bowled middle stump by a delivery that nipped back at him.

England were then 97 for three, 378 runs ahead, and presumably planning to be bowling again well before the end of the fourth day.

At lunch, they had moved on to 135 for three and a lead of 416 with Cook still there on 51 and Kevin Pietersen (17 not out) in fine form.

Strauss' s decision last night to bat a second time — rather than enforcing the follow-on, after his Graeme Swann inspired attack had dismissed the home side for 285 and earned a first innings lead of 281 — puzzled some fans. But the tactic of sending in Anderson was much more debatable.

Anderson did his job yesterday evening by surviving. But, not surprisingly, he struggled to make much progress today and it was left to Shah to show some intent.

Swann's heroics yesterday, though, have given England a glorious chance to level the series after the dreadful defeat in Jamaica. The off spinner was not supposed to play in Antigua and did not feature in the team picked for last Friday's hastily abandoned game at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium. But switching to the Recreation ground brought a change of tactics — and Swann responded.by taking five for 57 from 24 overs after replacing Monty Panesar in the line-up.