Ramnaresh Sarwan took his overnight century to a career best 291 against England in the fourth Test in Barbados to all but assure West Indies against defeat in the match.

West Indies, replying to England’s 600-6 declared, scored 749-9 declared before the tourists reached 6-0 after two overs before stumps. West Indies, protecting a 1-0 lead in the series that has just one more match to play in Trinidad, led England by 143 runs at the close and are now the only team who can realistically win the match.

Sarwan was aiming to become only the fourth West Indies batsman to reach a triple Test century after Sir Garfield Sobers, Lawrence Rowe and his captain Chris Gayle but he played on to left-armer Ryan Sidebottom to end an innings that spanned 452 deliveries with 30 boundaries and two sixes.

The innings surpassed his previous best score of 261 not out against Bangladesh in 2002. Sarwan made his Test debut in 2000 and, although now playing his 78th match and considered one of three veterans in the team along with Gayle and Chanderpaul, he has been criticised in recent years for not delivering on his rich potential. But now aged 28 he is enjoying the best batting form of his career.

It was Sarwan’s third hundred in the series so far and he was given excellent support by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, who made his maiden Test century before he was dismissed for 166. Jerome Taylor added 53 off just 62 balls down the order, including three sixes, to further deflate the English players on an unresponsive pitch for bowlers.

West Indies, who twice defeated England 5-0 in series in the mid-eighties, are seeking their first Test series win over England since 1998.