BIRMINGHAM, England, CMC – Wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin gathered his second Test century while Tino Best astonishingly hit the highest score ever by a number 11 to narrowly miss out on three figures, as West Indies were bowled out for 426 at lunch on the penultimate day of the final Test here Sunday.
The right-handed Ramdin finished unbeaten on 107, and featured in an amazing, record last-wicket partnership with Best who struck a career-best 95 in first Test in three years.
Ravi Rampaul fell to the third ball of the day, caught behind off Steven Finn without adding to his overnight two at 283 for nine, paving the way for the fireworks that followed.
The pair added 143, the highest last-wicket stand for West Indies against England and the third highest in Test history.
Ramdin, resuming the day on 60, faced 183 balls in four hours and 50 minutes at the crease, and struck nine fours.
Ironically, his last century also came came against England in Bridgetown three years ago.
Best, meanwhile, entertained the small Edgbaston crowd with a cameo, smashing 14 fours and a six off just 112 balls.
His previous best was 27 against Sri Lanka in Kandy seven years ago.
He seemed set to become the first number 11 to score a century when seamer Graeme Onions deceived him with a slower ball, 20 minutes into an extended morning session, for captain Andrew Strauss to take the skied catch running back from slip.
Onions was the leading bowler with four for 88 while Finn (3-109) and seamer Tim Bresnan (3-111) picked up three wickets apiece.
