Brian Lara frustrated England's hopes of exposing West Indies' fragile top order in the final Test with a superb double century.
Having dominated the West Indies batting line-up for the majority of the series, the tourists were hopeful they could again frustrate them into making mistakes even on the best batting surface they have encountered on this tour to the Caribbean.
But instead of making inroads on the second day, West Indies dominated England's attack with Lara hitting an unbeaten 224, which included 22 fours and two sixes, to guide his side to a commanding 449 for four at tea during a second day extended to make up for the time lost to rain yesterday.
The West Indies captain had resumed on 86 and overcame the loss of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Ricardo Powell to continue his relentless progress towards another major score at the Recreation Ground 10 years after scoring a world record 375 against England at this same venue.
Lara hit two sixes off spinner Gareth Batty and never looked threatened by England's attack, which was weakened by the absence of Matthew Hoggard from the field from just after lunch after he contracted the same stomach bug which ruled Ashley Giles out of this Test.
Even with Hoggard England had taken 32 overs to claim their first breakthrough of the day and by the time fast bowler Steve Harmison ended Sarwan's innings 10 short of his century, he had helped forge a 232-run partnership with Lara.