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Jason Holder ton earns West Indies first-Test draw with England

Jason Holder's maiden Test century frustrates England and record breaker James Anderson as West Indies rescue a draw in the first Test in Antigua.

Jason Holder's maiden Test century frustrated England and rescued the West Indies a draw in the first Test of their three-match series in Antigua.

The all-rounder batted through the majority of the final two sessions to ensure that the hosts finished day five on 350-7 in their chase of an improbable 438.

James Anderson broke Holder's partnership with Denesh Ramdin (57) to surpass Sir Ian Botham as England's all-time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket with 384, but Kemar Roach stayed with Holder, who finished unbeaten on 103, as the West Indies stood firm.

In his 100th Test match, Anderson had earlier dismissed Marlon Samuels (23) to help the tourists reduce the Windies to 155-5 after they resumed on 98-2, with middle-order rock Shivnarine Chanderpaul back in the pavilion having been trapped lbw by Joe Root for 13.

First-innings centurion Jermaine Blackwood (31) followed opener Devon Smith (65) in giving his wicket away as he charged down the wicket at Chris Jordan and edged through to Jos Buttler to leave the lower order exposed.

However, one-day international skipper Holder, 23, joined captain Ramdin to enhance his growing reputation with a courageous and mature knock which deflated England on a fifth-day pitch which offered little to the seamers.

He and the wicketkeeper occupied the crease for 30 overs either side of tea, both bringing up their half-centuries in the process, but Anderson gave England hope when he found Ramdin's edge and Alastair Cook caught at first slip.

After successfully reviewing being given out caught down the leg-side, Roach's resistance of 15 off 55 balls helped the West Indies wind the clock down, and Holder then brought up his century with two late blows off James Tredwell.

Nevertheless, England will be able to take plenty of positives into the second Test, which begins in Grenada on Tuesday, having seen all but their two openers make runs and wickets shared by five of their bowlers.

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James Anderson of England celebrates taking the wicket of Devon Smith of West Indies during day two of the 1st Test match between West Indies and England at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on April 14, 2015
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