Bresnan Leads England Near Series Win

Nottingham: West Indies close day three on 61-6 - a lead of just three - as a rampant England sense victory in the second Test at Trent Bridge.

Double-wicket over from Bresnan, which takes him past fifty in Tests and leaves England in a dominant position shortly before the close.

Bresnan, who claimed all his wickets lbw, started by trapped Darren Bravo then burst through Denesh Ramdin and an ill Kirk Edwards in the space of three balls in the penultimate over of the day. West Indies closed just three ahead with the only glimmer being that there two first-innings century-makers, Marlon Samuels and Darren Sammy, remain at the crease.

Earlier, England lost captain Andrew Strauss for 141 but edged 58 clear of West Indies on first innings at tea on Sunday on the third day of the second Test thanks to a valuable stand of 53 from all-rounders Tim Bresnan (39 not out) and Chris Broad (25).

The pair came together at 363-7 and comfortably steered England past West Indies' total of 370 only for Broad to top-edge a catch off the bowling of Shane Shillingford.

Graeme Swann (1) and Jimmy Anderson (0) swiftly followed to leave England 428 all out though Bresnan remaining unbeaten was possibly a good omen for the home side as England have won all 12 test matches in which he has played.

Strauss's steadfast innings lasted 303 balls and contained 22 fours before finally offering a catch behind off the bowling of Darren Sammy.

West Indies had taken four important wickets before lunch to the disappointment of home supporters expecting a run feast after England closed on Saturday on 259-2.

Kevin Pietersen (80) and Ian Bell (22) both fell to reviewed lbw decisions while Jonny Bairstow (4) was given a torrid time in only his second test by pace duo Kemar Roach and Ravi Rampaul before top edging an easy catch to mid-on.

Just when it looked as if England were steadying the ship West Indies captain Darren Sammy bowled Matt Prior for 16.

Rampaul, who captured the vital wicket of Pietersen, was the pick of the West Indies bowling with three for 75 off 25 overs. Marlon Samuels, top scorer in the West Indies innings with 117, mopped up the tail with two for 14 in 6.4 overs.

Brief scores
West Indies 370 (Samuels 117, Sammy 106, Bresnan 4-104) and 61 for 6 (Bresnan 3-20)
England 428 (Strauss 141, Pietersen 80, Bresnan 39*, Rampaul 3-78)
Status West Indies lead by three runs