Beth Jakubowski: Alastair Cook, proving people wrong in his quiet unassuming way since 1984. Form is temporary, class is permanent.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

"Alastair Cook has now reached 50 66 times in Test cricket, which equals the most 50+ scores by an English batsman, alongside Graham Gooch."

The lesser spotted Adil Rashid is in his hi-vis tabard sitting near the boundary. Did he have a beard before the tour started? he's got one now. The fact that this pitch has already started to take spin on day one will not have done much for his well-being. Patience from Moeen, leaving Holder's tempting deliveries outside the off-stump and the big West Indian is spoken to by umpire Bowden for running too close to the 'business area' in his follow through.

Ed Smith
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Alastair Cook once again has shown that he's an extraordinarily resilient character. He's looking more and more like he's put his bad form behind him."

Cook clips Samuels for two to record his fifty from 139 minutes, his sixth in his last nine innings and the 41st of his distinguished career. Now for that elusive 26th Test century.

Image source, Getty Images

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I haven't quite made my mind up about Moeen. At times I see him bat and bowl and I think there's something there, but I'm not convinced. He's not under any pressure because we're so short of decent spinners in England. He likes to drive the ball but he's going to have to be selective about it."

Moeen finds the right ball from Holder this time and plays a sumptuous cover drive which bisects the fielders and races to the boundary, the left-hander's third four.

Fraser: Ali and Stokes can't be in the same side, they're both handy 5th bowlers and inventive batters. Pick one depending on the pitch.

Chris Parker: I'm glad we won't be batting last on this track, it'll be turning at right angles come day 4 and 5.

So we had 19 overs in the first hour of this session, England adding 44 for the loss of Joe Root. Mercurial Marlon continues, so the rate will stay in a healthy state. The Windies bring in a man at silly point under the helmet to add to the solitary slip, there is a little turn away from the left-handed Cook, who plays out another maiden and remains one short of his half century.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Alastair Cook has played beautifully today. He's played a real opening batsman's role, sealing off one end. He's left the ball very well and looked solid while everything's been going on around him."

Image source, AP

Holder continues to dangle to carrot outside Moeen's off-stump, and with a cover drive as good as his, one gets the feeling that the stylish left-hander is itching to have a dash at one. The loss of those four wickets are ensuring he remains patient for now. Time for drinks.

Tom in New Jersey: My main irritation with England's selection policy is that there seems to be a really sharp divide between those in England's plans and those who aren't. For instance, if Chris Jordan has an absolute shocker against New Zealand, he may miss the first few Ashes Tests, but he'll be back by the end of the year. Whereas, you feel that Boyd Rankin could take 80 wickets this year but not get back in the side because he's "had his chance".

Outside the line of off-stump and umpire's call for the stumps, so the Windies lose one review and umpire Oxenford is delighted to signal no change to the original not out decision.

The Windies ask for a referral as Moeen pushes forward to Samuels and the ball hits pad first.

Tino Best
West Indies fast bowler on BBC Test Match Special

"I think Holder is bowling a little too short. I'd let him bowl a touch fuller and get a gully in. If he keeps bowling back of a length he's going to make it easy for Cook."

I had to make sure what that was on that hat before publishing the picture. Headgear is definitely advisable today though as the sun continues to beat down. A change of pace as the accurate, if only medium fast, Holder returns. The final ball is short and wide but Cook's cut finds the fielder and the fifty will have to wait. Holder's second maiden.

Image source, Reuters

Leigh Matthews: If Captain Cook doesn't convert this into a century I will parade through my street starkers, and put the video on Twitter.

We've got that in writing, Leigh...

Where did that spin come from Marlon? It was like a Shane Warne googly. It looked to have taken a piece out of the pitch too as it fizzed up and past the outside edge of Moeen's bat.

England 111-4 (40 overs) after winning the toss

Batsmen: Cook 47 from 124 balls, Moeen 10 from30

Fall of wickets: 0-1 (Trott 0), 38-2 (Ballance 18), 38-3 (Bell 0), 91-4 (Root 33)

Bowling figures: Taylor 10-5-24-0, Gabriel 4-1-6-1, Holder 6-1-15-2, Samuels 10-4-19-0, Permaul 10-1-47-1

Match scorecard

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The end of the 40th over and we are almost back on schedule thanks to these two slow bowlers. Just the single to Cook who moves within three of his half century.