Ramnaresh Sarwan struck his third century in his last three (completed) Tests as he attempted to dig West Indies out of a hole against England in the Barbados Test.

West Indies, replying to England’s 600-6 declared, reached 341-5 in the evening session as Sarwan was 151 not out with Brendan Nash out controversially for 33. They required a further 71 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Sarwan appears to be in the best and most fluent form of his Test career after he scored 107 in the first Test in Jamaica, (the second Test lasted just ten deliveries before it was abandoned) he made 94 and 106 in the third Test in Antigua and now he has reached three figures again for the 14th occasion in his 78th Test match.

Sarwan, who didn’t score his first Test hundred until his 28th Test, is now stepping up to the next level and delivering on the rich potential he has always posses from his debut in 2000.

Sarwan’s silky stroke-play, though, was overshadowed by two referral decisions made by television umpire Daryl Harper that were questionable and which again brought the ICC’s referral system under the microscope.

First Shivnarine Chanderpaul was given out lbw to James Anderson for 70 and then Nash was adjudged not out by on-field umpire Aleem Dar only for England to take their last remaining referral, from which Harper decided to overrule Dar and send Nash to the pavilion. Replays suggested the ball would have bounced over the stumps from off-spinner Graeme Swann. The West Indies dressing room looked far from amused.

West Indies are leading the series 1-0 and are seeking to avoid defeat in the match to ensure they at least draw the series. There is one match remaining after this one, in Trinidad.