Stuart Broad and James Anderson once again showed their enduring class as England took a huge step towards winning the series on day two of the third Test against West Indies.

The veteran pace bowlers, who have each been left out for one match in the series, took two wickets apiece, while Broad weighed in with valuable runs.

With Jofra Archer also bowling at high pace, West Indies were 137-6, 232 behind, when bad light ended play half an hour early.

The tourists had earlier made an explosive start, taking four wickets for 18 runs, including Ollie Pope without adding to his overnight 91 and Jos Buttler for 67.

But Broad reversed the momentum by crashing a 33-ball half-century – only Ian Botham has made a quicker fifty for England in Tests.

His 62 from 45 balls is his highest score for seven years and lifted England to 369 all out.

Their progress on a day when expected rain never arrived could negate further bad weather that is forecast during the rest of the match.

They are primed to regain the Wisden Trophy, protect a six-year unbeaten home record and deny West Indies a first win in England since 1988.

Old firm swing it England’s way

So much attention in this series has focused on the home pace attack, with Anderson and Broad – England’s all-time leading wicket-takers – stating their case for inclusion after being left out.

In being paired together in a Test for the first time since January, they backed up their words with a characteristic display in conditions ideally suited to their strengths.

Their efforts gave England firm control of a series decider on a day that began with the threat of West Indies fighting their way back into the contest.

With England resuming on 258-4, the rejuvenated West Indies were inspired in the first hour, particularly the pace pair of Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach.

However, the tourists were flattened first by Broad’s onslaught with the bat then by the relentless threat of England’s four pace bowlers – off-spinner Dom Bess did not bowl a single over.

By the end, a series that has been so keenly contested looked to have only one winner, with England’s biggest opponent arguably now the Manchester weather.

Broad’s blistering assault

England were in danger of wasting their good first day when Broad came to the crease.

Pope was bowled playing across the line to Gabriel and Buttler was well caught at second slip by Jason Holder, while Chris Woakes chopped on off Roach and Archer was also held by Holder – all in the space of 22 deliveries.

Broad countered with swipes, carves, flowing drives and one almighty heave over the leg side for six.

When his ninth-wicket stand with Bess passed 50, Bess had contributed only eight. Broad’s 62 is the highest score by an England number 10 since 1966.

The fun was eventually ended when Broad swept the off-spin of Roston Chase into the hands of deep mid-wicket.

And though, overall, England lost their last six wickets for 107 runs, Broad ensured they maintained a position of strength.

Windies finally break

West Indies have been more than a match for England throughout this series, but this poor day looks set to continue their wait for success in this country.

Deflated by Broad’s assault, during which their tactics were passive, their top order then collectively buckled for the first time in the series.

Broad had Kraigg Brathwaite edge to first slip with his fourth delivery and the Windies would have been in further trouble had second slip Ben Stokes not spilled John Campbell off Anderson.

Although Campbell played some handsome drives in his 32, he was undone by the extra pace of Archer, who got one to spit and take a leading edge.

Anderson and Broad, keeping a full length, were superb either side of tea. Anderson, bowling from the end that bears his name, took Shai Hope’s outside edge and Shamarh Brooks’ inside edge.

Broad nipped one back to Chase to have him lbw and Woakes destroyed the stumps of Jermaine Blackwood, leaving Holder and Shane Dowrich to cling on before the light drew in.

‘Broad has been great and has shown mental toughness’ – what they said

England’s Stuart Broad on Sky Sports: “West Indies bowled beautifully this morning. We were hoping to get 400 but we’re happy with passing 350.

“Batting was good fun. My decision was to try to take the bowlers off the top of off stump because it was nipping off a length.

“We’re happy with that first-innings score and the way the whole unit bowled this afternoon was fantastic. We controlled the run-rate beautifully and the wickets came our way.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan: “Stuart Broad has been great. There’s something in his mechanism that when he gets a bit of stick and criticism, he comes back and proves people wrong.

“It takes a mental kind of toughness in your own game and confidence to then deliver and it’s the second week now where he’s delivered.”

West Indies bowler Kemar Roach, who reached 200 Test wickets on the second day, talking to TMS: “I guess I had that landmark on my mind a little bit too much, I had a few restless nights. It’s good to get past that barrier now and see how many more I can get. 300 would be great.

“We started well but Stuart Broad came in and played his shots and things went his way. Things drifted a bit and we’re in a difficult position now but the guys will fight it out.”

And finally…