After the embarrassment of the Lord’s Test, not many had a West Indies first-innings lead on their Trent Bridge bingo card.
And when Chris Woakes had the ball on a string under glowering skies early on during day three, England being able to build on a significant advantage seemed almost inevitable.
But a battling knock from Joshua Da Silva and an exuberant one from No.11 Shamar Joseph, showing huge enjoyment as he drove and pulled with power and grace, gave the visitors a tidy 47-run lead.
The momentum, however, was soon back with England as Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, who had put on 105 in the first innings, set about some wayward bowling to add a day-defining 121. The match is now England’s to lose.
Put it there: England’s Ben Duckett is congratulated for reaching his 50 by Ollie Pope and below, West Indies’ Kavem Hodge celebrates his hundred
PICTURES: Alamy
Report and full scorecard here
For exclusive stories and all the detailed cricket news you need, subscribe to The Cricket Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.