Curtly leads Windies' fightback

Craig White celebrates the wicket of Brian Lara

Day one, Headingley
West Indies 172 all out, England 105-5

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The opening day of the fourth Test - a typically frenetic Headingley production - will forever belong to Curtly Ambrose as he became only the fifth bowler in history to take 400 Test wickets.

But while the culmination of Ambrose's immense achievements took centre stage there was no shortage of supporting acts as an enthralling series produced another gripping day's cricket.

Craig White blossomed as a Test bowler to record his first five wicket return in Test matches and on his home turf too. With Darren Gough claiming three wickets it was a rewarding day for the Yorkshiremen.

Ambrose makes it 400

Then there was Ramnaresh Sarwan. The young Guyanese stands out - not least for being a rare right hander in the West Indies top order, but mostly for being an outstanding talent.

At Headingley he put his elders to shame with the best batting of the day in trying circumstances. The slender 20-year-old assembled an intelligent half century - his second in Test cricket - mixing adventure with sensible shot selection.

The West Indies were indebted to his contribution, as were England when they batted to Graham Thorpe.

Without the Surrey left hander, England would have been in grave danger as the final one of the day's leading performers - the incomparable Courtney Walsh - teamed up with his long term partner to provide a predictable response to their batsmen's inadequacies.

White bowls Adams

The performance of the ever-dependable duo must have come as an immense relief to Jimmy Adams. The West Indies captain, had decided to bat after winning the toss as he believes the pitch will worsen as the match progresses.

But for the early part of the day he may well have questioned his own choice after he became the fifth wicket to fall in the morning session and saw his side bowled out before tea. Once again his batsmen owe their two great fast bowlers.

Gough struck with his tenth delivery to herald a session of English domination. White then took two wickets in successive overs - including the key one of Brian Lara - and added Adams soon after, in between which Gough had claimed his second.

That reduced the West Indies from an encouraging 50-1 to 60-5.

Gough celebrates the wicket of Griffith

After lunch Ramnaresh Sarwan and Ridley Jacobs began a West Indian recovery of sorts and in bristling fashion too. They raised a brisk 50 partnership with both keen to attack before Jacobs (35) engineered his own downfall and allowed England to regain control.

It was a tame end to a useful sixth wicket stand of 66, a West Indies record at Headingley and the highest of the innings.

White, fittingly, wrapped up the innings with his fifth wicket to complete his best ever return for England in a test match, finishing with five for 57.

It left the young Sarwan undefeated on 59, having batted assuredly, driving fluently and productively both through mid off and mid on.

Then it was the turn of the elderly. Ambrose loped in and in a flash had reached the 400 mark.

Ambrose claims wicket 399

Marcus Trescothick edged a brutal delivery to first slip and soon after Michael Atherton did the same.

Thorpe and Nasser Hussain survived a typically testing opening spell without further loss and began to thrive with the introduction of the second-string seamers.

The England captain was struck a painful blow on the right hand but was hinting at a return to form when Adams turned again to Walsh.

And as ever he answered his captain's call. Hussian and Thorpe, four short of his half century, were removed in quick succession and then Stewart edged into an eager slip cordon as England struggled to the close 67 runs in arrears.