Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"As Root looks for the bad ball and the boundary he is always on to it quickly when it comes."

Devendra Bishoo, who bowled a marathon 22-over spell earlier on, is back on and clearly a bit stiff, serving up some all sorts. A long hop to Root, pulled for six. Leg stump to Ballance, swept for four. Another long hop to Ballance, cut for four. England now rattling along, tucking into the buffet served up by Bishoo. Before long, they will be into the lead. The plan of batting only once in this match could well come to fruition.

Giles in Essex: Root for captain? He has the skill to be one of England's greatest batsmen - please don't ruin him with the burdens of captaincy a la Cook.

Graham Cartwright: Imagine how far in front we would be in this game if we had Lyth and Lees opening.

Scott in Manchester: Gabriel good, but not angelic. Joe taking Root at the crease. Ballance in equilibrium. England 100 ahead by the close.

Whoever is playing the drums in Grenada has got some stamina, the tapping of the steel has been going on for most of the day and shows no sign of stopping. It sounds great from here, but probably isn't the most restful thing if you're sitting next to them. Shannon Gabriel, two wickets earlier on, hasn't learnt much, banging the ball in halfway down to Root. 1. There's more life in a tramp's vest than this pitch. 2. Joe Root has been on the pull all day. Helped for four, Root's fifth leg-side boundary.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"If you give Ballance a little bit of width he will not miss out. He strikes me as a back foot player but he drives very well."

Joe Root squeezes a single on the leg side off Roach to bring up the 100 partnership, bringing trumpet and rhythmic clapping from the Barmy Army. TV cameras focus and a blonde, female member of the Army, proving once and for all that ladies are allowed in. When Roach serves Ballance a long half-volley, the Yorkshire batsman gobbles up with a screaming cover drive.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"This pair are fast becoming the most comforting thing for an Englishman."

Image source, Getty Images

With yours truly still reeling from the revelation that DRS pops in and out, Gary Ballance cuts Shannon Gabriel for four to move to a fourth Test half-century, to go with four hundreds. He's only in his 10th match, an average in excess of 60. I didn't think he'd cut it at three - shows what a judge I am. What's that I here? "DRS is back on lads". All is right with the world, but still so many questions unanswered.

Joshua Smith: Yorkshire going along nicely against the West Indies now with Root and Ballance.

There's an excellent beat going on in the background - steel band, if I'm not mistaken. Hello, what's happened here? I'm certain I've just heard an umpire say "DRS is down again". Has the technology fallen over? Does that mean there are no reviews for the time being? How often does this happen? How livid would you be if you couldn't overturn an incorrect decision? It was the resignation in the umpire's voice, as if this happens all the time, but we viewers never know.

Joe McLusky: Has everyone forgotten what it takes to win a Test? We're not much behind, loads of wickets in hand, big hitters due out next, stack of time left, good English bowlers, average opposition batsmen. Give the guys a chance, this is as positive as it needs to be.

They players are back out, accompanied by the sound of a man with the horn. Joe Root flexes his shoulders, Gary Ballance plays a few shadow shots. Kemar Roach has the ball.

What do we think England need to do in this evening session? More of the same? Hit the throttle? How many should they be ahead by the time they draw stumps tonight?

There was a time that an England batsman in the West Indies was there merely for target practice, a body to hang around before being put out of his misery. "Where exactly did it hit you, Mike?" How times change. This evening is a very good time to be an Englishman in Grenada.

Irvin Flaherty: Why didn't we take a B side to the Windies? All their best players are playing IPL and have no interest in Test matches.

On that note, it's time for me to bid you adieu, and welcome back into the hotseat for the evening session Stephan Shemilt...

Image source, Getty Images

Here's one for you. In the last 12 months, in Test cricket, Joe Root is averaging 97 with the bat and 26 with the ball.

One word for those numbers: godly.

Jack Dorff in London: If England can put another 150-200 runs on the board I have a feeling that the West Indies will struggle in this Test.

So, another fine session for England. They lost Alastair Cook - still searching for that 26th Test century and Ian Bell in quick succession - but thereafter Joe Root and Gary Ballance batted excellently to draw the sting from the West Indies attack. England are in a very strong position at tea on the third day in this Test - the only question is, will they have enough time to force a victory?

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I thought the West Indies did quite well but around 30-45 minutes ago they lost the plot and too many runs were leaked in a spurt. They are going to have to regroup again. It is not going to be easy in the sun with a modest attack against two very good batsman. If England keep on with this scoring they will get close to 350 and if Stokes and Buttler get in there could be a few more."