Emerging at number 11, Anderson was given a standing ovation as he made his way to the middle, then even led the players off despite not facing a ball. His unbeaten nought was his 114th not-out in Test cricket, 53 more than anyone else has managed and another of his records that is unlikely to ever be broken.

Soon after he was into a typically brilliant opening spell from the Pavilion End, nipping the ball down the slope and through Brathwaite’s defence. Anderson’s first spell of five overs contained four maidens.

Woakes was down on pace and gave way to Stokes, who needed only three deliveries to pin McKenzie leg-before for his 200th Test wicket, a milestone that seemed unlikely during his long struggle with a left-knee injury.

It made the skipper only the third man in Test cricket, after all-time greats Sir Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis, to complete the double of 6,000 runs and 200 wickets, and he celebrated by having Louis caught behind.

Atkinson continued his fine game by having Kavem Hodge chop on. Athanaze was defying England in the gloom until he became yet another victim that Anderson has suckered into an edge.

Holder faced 59 deliveries for his 20 only to fend Atkinson to short leg from the last ball of the day, leaving Da Silva on eight and Anderson poised to say goodbye.