ST JOHN'S, Antigua, (Reuters) - England gave themselves a chance to salvage a draw in the fourth and final Test against the West Indies after Andrew Flintoff led the way with an unbeaten century yesterday.
The all-rounder hit his third Test hundred, ending not out on 102, as England stumbled to 285 all out in the first innings, still 466 behind West Indies' mammoth 751-5 declared.
England openers Marcus Trescothick, on 74, and Michael Vaughan shared an unbeaten stand of 145 at the close after the hosts enforced the follow-on. Vaughan was 61 not out.
The touring side, who have already clinched the series by dominating the first three Tests, trailed West Indies by 321 runs with just one day remaining.
Earlier, paceman Pedro Collins took four for 76 while Tino Best finished with three for 37.
After the excitement of Brian Lara's record-breaking 400 not out in the West Indies innings of 751 for five, the two sides emerged to a much more subdued atmosphere in the ground.
But the relatively small crowd were lifted when the home side struck early as wicketkeeper Geraint Jones was bowled through the gate by Fidel Edwards for 38.
Gareth Batty hit two fours but then fell to a superb ball from Collins, Chris Gayle taking a sharp catch at first slip.
SPILLED CHANCE
That left England on 205 for seven and things almost got worse when Flintoff, on 56, edged Collins to gully but Ricardo Powell spilled a difficult chance to his left.
Flintoff, also dropped by Lara at first slip late on day three, received another reprieve when Collins spilled a routine caught-and-bowled when he was on 67.
Collins took his second wicket of the day and his fourth of the innings when Matthew Hoggard, after scoring one run in 51 minutes, edged him to Ridley Jacobs.
With Simon Jones providing staunch support, Lancashire all-rounder Flintoff took advantage of his good luck, hitting Edwards for a six over long leg as he moved into his 90s.
A flick through square leg brought up his hundred, coming off 209 balls, with 13 fours and one six.
Jones then left the field for treatment for a bruised forearm but after Steve Harmison was bowled by Best for five he returned only to fall lbw to Ryan Hinds for 11.
Batting again, Trescothick survived a big appeal for a catch down the leg side. Television replays suggested the ball brushed his glove.
The left-handed Trescothick made the most of his luck to reach 74 by the end of the day's play, his knock including eight fours.
Vaughan batted watchfully to reach his ninth Test 50.
WEST INDIES first innings 751-5 declared (B.Lara 400 not out, R.Jacobs 107 not out, R.Sarwan 90, C.Gayle 69)
ENGLAND first innings (o/n 171-5)
M.Trescothick c Jacobs b Best 16
M.Vaughan c Jacobs b Collins 7
M.Butcher b Collins 52
N.Hussain b Best 3
G.Thorpe c Collins b Edwards 10
A.Flintoff not out 102
G.Jones b Edwards 38
G.Batty c Gayle b Collins 8
M.Hoggard c Jacobs b Collins 1
S.Jones lbw b Hinds 11
S.Harmison b Best 5
Extras: (b-1, lb-5, w-4, nb-22) 32
Total: (all out, 99 overs) 285
Fall of wickets 1-8, 2-45, 3-54, 4-98, 5-98, 6-182, 7-205, 8-229, 9-283.