West Indies fought back to save the follow-on after Monty Panesar had threatened to run through their batting on the third day of the first Test against England on Saturday.

At the close, the West Indies were 363 for seven after England declared at their overnight total of 553 for five.

A sixth-wicket partnership of 92 from 76 balls by the obdurate Shivnarine Chanderpaul (63 not out) and Dwayne Bravo (56 from 59 balls) restored their fortunes after Panesar had taken four quick wickets.

Wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin scored an invaluable 60, reaching his fifth Test half-century with two boundaries off the disappointing Steve Harmison.

After England had declared, left-arm spinner Panesar bowled Devon Smith for 21 with his first delivery of the match 10 minutes before lunch.

He then won lbw appeals against captain Ramnaresh Sarwan (35), vice-captain Daren Ganga (49) and Runako Morton (14) in the afternoon session.

The brightest batting of the day came from Bravo, who used his feet to stifle Panesar's spin and reached his seventh test half-century by striking him for a four and then a six over long-on.

He fell somewhat unnecessarily when he mis-hit a pull to Alastair Cook at mid-wicket to give Paul Collingwood his second Test wicket.

ENTERPRISING RAMDIN

Ramdin batted with equal enterprise while Chanderpaul, the only batsman in the team to average in the 40s, played with unruffled composure to score his 41st Test half-century.

England were indebted to Panesar, who compensated for the shortcomings of their pace attack by bowling unchanged from the Nursery End throughout the afternoon.

England lost the services of their most experienced bowler Matthew Hoggard, who left the field with a thigh injury before lunch after delivering the first ball of what would have been his 11th over.

Harmison, with plenty to prove after a wretched series in Australia, bowled with hostile intent before lunch but became increasingly erratic and less effective afterwards and finished with none for 95 from his 22 overs.

Liam Plunkett, who yorked the dangerous Chris Gayle (30) with his second delivery of the match, sprayed the ball persistently wide and England's 16 wides were the most they have ever conceded in a Test match.

Gayle set the early pace when he took two boundaries off Hoggard through mid-wicket. He also punched Harmison for fours through mid-on and mid-off but was then bowled off-stump by Plunkett groping at a swinging yorker.

Smith struck four boundaries before he was completely deceived by Panesar and Sarwan batted attractively then missed a Panesar delivery which straightened a fraction. Ganga was dismissed in similar fashion prodding forward.

Scorecard

England (1st innings):
A Strauss c Smith b Powell 33
A Cook c Bravo b Taylor 105
O Shah c Smith b Powell 6
K Pietersen c Smith b Collymore 26
P Collingwood b Bravo 111
I Bell not out 109
M Prior not out 126
Extras: (b-8, lb-17, w-10, nb-2) 37
Total: (for five wickets declared, 142 overs) 553

Fall of wickets: 1-88, 2-103, 3-162, 4-219, 5-263.

Bowling: Powell 37-9-113-2 (6w), Taylor 24-4-114-1, Collymore 32-5-110-1 (2nb), Bravo 32-8-106-1 (1w), Gayle 10-0-48-0, Morton 1-0-4-0 (2w), Sarwan 6-0-33-0.

Did not bat: L Plunkett, M Hoggard, S Harmison, M Panesar

West Indies (1st innings):
C Gayle b Plunkett 30
D Ganga lbw Panesar 49
D Smith b Panesar 21
R Sarwan lbw Panesar 35
S Chanderpaul not out 63
R Morton lbw Panesar 14
D Bravo c Cook b Collingwood 56
D Ramdin c Collingwood b Plunkett 60
D Powell not out 0
Extras: (lb-16, w-16, nb-3) 35
Total: (for seven wickets, 98 overs) 363

Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-83, 3-151, 4-165, 5-187, 6-279, 7-362.

To bat: J Taylor, C Collymore

Bowling: Hoggard 10 1-3-29-0, Harmison 22-1-95-0 (4w 2nb), Plunkett 23-5-81-2 (4w), Collingwood 11 5-2-34-1, Panesar 31-2-108-4.