England's hopes of claiming a major first innings lead in the crucial third Test today suffered an early setback with Mark Butcher falling in the fourth over the day at the Kensington Oval.
Resuming on 20 for one only 204 runs adrift of West Indies' modest firstc innings total, the tourists were hopeful of building slowly towards a lead and the victory which would seal their first Caribbean series triumph in 36 years.
But they were given a hostile reception from the start of the second day with Tino Best unfortunate not to dismiss England captain Michael Vaughan before strike partner Fidel Edwards made the breakthrough at the other end.
Vaughan had resumed unbeaten on 12 overnight and had not added to his score when he pushed at a full-length delivery from the pacy Best in the third over of the day and edged to the left of Ramnaresh Sarwan at second slip, who once again allowed the chance to slip through his hands.
Spurred on by that escape Vaughan immediately scored his first runs of the day by driving the next ball from Best down the ground for two to further dampen the young fast bowler's spirits.
West Indies, though, did not have to wait long for their first success of the day with Butcher playing a similar shot at the start of the next over, pushing at a shorter delivery from Edwards which was this time taken comfortably by Chris Gayle at first slip.
His demise brought Nasser Hussain out to the crease in familiar territory with England suffering an early loss and he was fortunate to survive when he got an inside edge onto his pads from a lightning-quick delivery from Edwards.
Hussain survived, however, and was yet to get off the mark while Vaughan had progressed to 14 as England reached 24 for two after half an hour's play