NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC) – England have set West Indies a massive 438 runs to win the opening Test, after declaring their second innings on 337 for seven, just over half-hour before tea on the penultimate day here Thursday.

Gary Ballance converted his lunch time unbeaten 92 into 122 while Jos Buttler smashed an unbeaten 59 from 56 deliveries.

Ben Stokes, on 33 not out at lunch, made 35 before missing a charge at left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn and going stumped off the fourth ball after the interval.

He added 60 with Ballance for the fifth wicket.

The left-handed Ballance reached his fourth Test hundred in the seventh over after lunch when he punched Benn down the ground for four.

Along with Buttler, he then went on the attack, clearing the ropes with long on with part-time off-spinner Marlon Samuels before finally holing out to Jermaine Blackwood at deep mid-wicket off Benn.

Buttler, who smashed five fours and two sixes, put on a hasty 52 off 40 deliveries with Chris Jordan (13) before Jordan picked out Darren Bravo at deep mid-wicket off seamer Kemar Roach, a delivery after he was bowled by a no-ball.

Pacer Jerome Taylor finished with two for 42 while Benn picked up two for 115.