Draw shortens after day three

England's bowlers did a decent job on day three of the first Test in Jamaica but could not stop the home side taking a small lead. West Indies have the chance to extend that lead well past the 50-mark but though they have the edge, the draw is shortening all the time.

Centuries by Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan were the cornerstone of West Indies' 352-7 but their slow scoring, a result of England's solid bowling effort as much as anything, means that it may be difficult to force a result.

That would be an unusual occurrence at Sabina Park, where, going into the match, only 13 of the 43 Tests to have been played there ended in draws. Apart from the match between these two sides in 1998, when the pitch was declared unplayable and cancelled, the last draw there was back in 1997, when India were the visitors.

All three results are very possible though, and West Indies will still fancy their chances, at 12/5, while England, if they can finish off the home side quickly on day four and then bat well for a day, could yet exploit the pitch when bowling last. They are 5/1 to win it.

But, the draw does look the most likely result and bet365 shortened it again, from 11/10 at the start of play on day three, to 8/13 at stumps.

Bet365 make West Indies 5/6 to take their total from 352-7 as far as 393 or better. Brendan Nash, whose unbeaten 47 did a lot to force a first innings lead, is 5/6 to get to 65 or more, while Sulieman Benn, 10 not out overnight, is the same price to make 21 or more.

There is a long way still to go in this match and if it is not to be a draw, the side that shows the most discipline and concentration will win it. It really could go either way.

Original preview
When England beat West Indies 3-0 four years ago, it was the springboard for their fantastic triumph against Australia later that summer. Four years on, England will be hoping for a similar omen as they begin another Caribbean encounter on Wednesday.

Having been beaten in India last time out, England will hope the good memories of four years ago can inspire them to victory at Sabina Park in Jamaica, and the news that Andrew Flintoff should be fit to bowl after a side strain will be a major boost.

On paper, England have a better team than the inconsistent, if talented, West Indies side but they need to find some confidence and build some spirit after the farce of Kevin Pietersen's resignation from the captaincy.

Bet365 make England 21/20 to win the first Test, as they did four years ago when Steve Harmison ripped through the home side's batting line-up with devastating affect. He then carried that form through to the Ashes, but needs to find it again soon after a poor few years since then.

West Indies are available at 13/5 and the draw is a 9/4 chance.

Harmison is likely to be recalled to the side after being dropped in Mohali last time out, with new captain Andrew Strauss seeemingly certain to go with him on what promises to be another fast pitch.

Apart from a win over Bangladesh in 2004, West Indies have lost the last four Tests at Sabina Park, and though they have shown signs of improvement in recent months, they are still big underdogs to my mind, even if England's away record has been pretty poor of late.

Pietersen to show his worth?
What price Kevin Pietersen to answer all his critics with another Test century? Well, bet365 are not offering one yet, but the Hampshire man is a strong favourite to top-score for England at 5/2.

Every time he needs a big innings, for himself of the team, he tends to come up with one, so it would be no surprise should he deliver the goods again.

Captain Strauss is next at 7/2 and he would love to make a strong start to his leadership of the side, and he is in good form, so I wouldn't write off his chances. Alastair Cook is 4/1, Ian Bell a 5/1 bet and Owais Shah is 6/1, with Flintoff and Paul Collingwood are both 13/2.

For West Indies, Shivnarine Chanderpaul is favourite at 5/2, while captain Chris Gayle is 7/2 and Ramnaresh Sarwan is 4/1. Those three are the class acts of the batting line-up, and there is a big gap then to Devon Smith and Dale Richards, who are each 11/2, just ahead of Xavier Marshall is 6/1.

West Indies are good enough to compete with England on home soil but I am not sure they have the focus and drive to do so for three sessions on each day of five. England should be able to win this one, and since they are odds-against, that's not a bad price.