England's three veteran batsmen all completed half-centuries to help Michael Vaughan's side gain a crucial first innings advantage over West Indies on a day of attritional cricket in the second Test at Queen's Park Oval on Sunday.
Graham Thorpe, Mark Butcher and Nasser Hussain all spent substantial time at the crease wearing the opposition bowlers down with purposeful batting to lead the visitors to 300 for six, replying to West Indies' first innings total of 208, when bad light stopped play 10 overs early on a cloudy to overcast third day.
Thorpe, arguably England's best batsman, led the way with a resolute, undefeated 81 that kept the momentum going after fast bowler Tino Best broke through a century, third wicket partnership between Butcher and Hussain.
The left-handed Thorpe is now eyeing his 13th Test hundred after striking eight fours and one six from facing 196 balls in nearly five hours and was paid a glowing tribute by Hussain.
"What you see out in the middle is only 50 percent of your life and he's had some stuff off the field with which he has had to deal," Hussain told reporters referring to the tribulations Thorpe has suffered in his private life.
"The area in which I always compliment Graham Thorpe is that when he comes back into the squad following a long absence, to have the mental strength to do what he has done here, you cannot teach that.
"It is something you either have or don't have. To come into bat on a pitch like this and produce the goods is what he has always had."
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