England's top three all fell cheaply after they were sent in by West Indies in the first Test at Antigua.
Jonathan Trott was unable to negotiate the opening over, on his return to the international stage after 18 months, as he edged Jerome Taylor to first slip without scoring.
Alastair Cook then inside-edged onto his own stumps before Gary Ballance nicked off as the West Indies bowlers were fully rewarded for employing a full length.
Denesh Ramdin's justified decision to bowl meant James Anderson was made to wait in his quest to become England's record Test wicket-taker - he needs four more to surpass Sir Ian Botham - in his 100th Test.
Match Scorecard / Live ball-by-ball commentary
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Morning session
4.53pm - As we close in on lunch there is still a hint of movement in the air while Benn is getting bounce and turn. Root and Bell are therefore keeping a watchful brief to usher themselves through to the break.
4.38pm - Root slashes at a catchable height through the gully region, but it is safe enough. The ball sat up to be hit and while the Yorkshireman might have had a second thought to pull out of the shot, given the score, his instincts had already committed him to putting it away. England need to dispatch such balls.
4.35pm - We've had our first over of spin for the match and left-armer Sulieman Benn found a bit of turn off this first-day pitch.
4.32pm - We have started again and new batsman Joe Root blocks out the final ball of the Holder over - a yorker.
Light rain in Antigua, the covers are on and the players leave the field. Short delay expected. #WIvEngpic.twitter.com/cNSY64YQnF
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) April 13, 2015
4.21pm - WICKET! Ballance c Bravo b Holder 10; Eng 34/3 - Ballance is gone now to a nervous prod away from his body at another full ball. It is a bad-looking shot as the ball is squeezed high to first slip.
We'll take a break now as the rain that has been starting to sprinkle has got a bit heavier.
4.13pm - Bell gets off the mark with a boundary. He had to wait until his 20th delivery to do it with a sliced drive through point off Jason Holder.
4.03pm - Drinks are being taken and England are 27 for two after 13 overs. At this stage Ramdin's decision to bowl first has been justified.
3.55pm - It is watchful stuff out there as we close on drinks. Ballance is unbeaten on 10 from 31 balls while new man Ian Bell is yet to score from his first 10 deliveries. The pitch does appear on the slow side, especially when the ball has been dug in. The home quicks have rarely done that - and with good reason.
3.39pm - WICKET! Cook b Roach 11; Eng 22/2 - That is not rock-solid Cook. He presses forward with just enough uncertainty to allow the ball to take the inside-edge onto his stumps. The skipper's face tells the picture as he walks off - frustrated. The Windies opening bowlers rewarded again for a full length.
3.37pm - Cook punches the first boundary of the game through cover. Perfectly-placed stroke that he was in position quickly to force away. Rock-solid, Cook type shot.
3.35pm - The West Indies bowlers are pitching the ball up and asking the England batsmen questions. Cook and Gary Ballance are remaining patient while trying to rotate the strike with quick singles into the off-side.
WATCH: Here's how Trott fell for a duck to Taylor - #WIvEnghttp://t.co/KpFoeKx7eC Eng inch to 7-1 off 5 overs. pic.twitter.com/D7tpI4Sqlt
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) April 13, 2015
3.24pm - Cook edges Taylor short of third slip, but then flicks him away into a vast area on the leg-side for three.
3.21pm - A circumspect start from England after that early wicket. Just the three runs from the first four overs, which has seemingly provoked the field to creep in closer with every ball.
3.09pm - Alastair Cook edges Kemar Roach just short of first slip. A nervous start!
3.03pm - WICKET! Trott c Bravo b Taylor 0; Eng 1/1 - Jonathan Trott's return lasts three balls. He gets trapped on the crease and fends at a Jerome Taylor delivery that swings away from him, catches the edge and flies comfortably to Darren Bravo at first slip.
Pre-play news
2.55pm - Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott are out in the middle. A fine moment for Trott after he has worked so hard to get back to this stage. Cook will take the first ball.
Congratulations @Trotty on picking up your 50th England Cap. #WIvENG#youbearspic.twitter.com/g47EQXtSlP
— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) April 13, 2015
England: Cook Trott Ballance Bell Root Stokes Buttler Jordan Broad Tredwell Anderson #WIvEngpic.twitter.com/K9AuFTp0xK
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) April 13, 2015
2.33pm - West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin has won the toss and has elected to bowl. He thinks there is a bit of moisture in the wicket.
Alastair Cook reveals he would have batted in any case and confirms Jonathan Trott will make his return at the top of the order. James Tredwell is the preferred spinner.
2.32pm - While you are waiting for the team news and who is going to bat first here is Joe Root's first blogfrom the Caribbean. It's a very good read and you find out who won the Masters sweepstake on tour.
2.30pm - It is overcast in Antigua which might provide some early help for the bowlers and which might be the perfect morning for an England bowler looking to break a record. Toss to come soon.
Presentation: @jimmy9 receives a special cap from Michael Atherton to mark his 100th Test match. #WIvEngpic.twitter.com/6PAqVUnWC9
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) April 13, 2015
2.20pm - Michael Atherton is leading an on-field presentation to mark his fellow Lancastrian's special match.
2.15pm - Anderson spoke to ecb.co.uk yesterday about the best of his memories from his 99 Tests so far - unsurprisingly beating the Aussies was top of the list!
The lads warm-up on the outfield before play. Toss and team news shortly. #WIvEngpic.twitter.com/mE8RN2EKmd
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) April 13, 2015
2pm - Welcome to our live blog as the focus of attention turns back to Test cricket - there's going to be a lot of it over the next year.
The first port of call isn't a bad one, the picturesque Leeward Island of Antigua, and what a better spot for James Anderson to celebrate his 100th Test.