Fourteen wickets fell on the first day, giving the series-deciding third Test between England and West Indies the feel of a lottery at Lord's on Thursday. West Indies was 123 all out in its first innings and England 46/4 in reply as both team's batsmen floundered on a pitch that initially appeared good enough for the West Indians to opt to bat on first.
But a day that started in bright sunshine became overcast and showery, and the quick bowlers took advantage.
Ben Stokes took 6/22 for England in a sizzling spell of swing bowling to dent West Indies' hopes of a first series win in England since 1988 and the era of Viv Richards.
Although it appeared West Indies was heading for an embarrassment similar to the innings defeat in the first Test, the touring fast bowlers replied in kind.
Captain Jason Holder and Kemar Roach had two wickets each as England lost Mark Stoneman (1), Alastair Cook (10), Tom Westley (8) and, crucially, captain Joe Root (1) before stumps were called early for bad light.
The procession of wickets left England trailing by 77 runs with six wickets left, and facing a scrap in its last Test before the Ashes in Australia at the end of the year.
