Cook ends ton drought to push 'struggling' England to 240-7 on day one of Windies Test

Skipper Alastair Cook ended his Test century drought on day one of the third and the final Test as England struggled their way to 240-7 at stumps against the West Indies in Barbados.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, England lost wickets at regular junctures and were reeling at 91-4 before Cook found an able ally in Moeen Ali as the duo built a 98-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Cook made 105, his first Test century since May 2013, and reached his 26th hundred off 259 balls before he was caught behind in the final over off Marlon Samuels delivery.

Ali ended his stylish 58-run knock in a run-out as he tried to eke out an injudicious single when his captain cut straight to backward point, the BBC reported.

While opening partner Jonathan Trott was dismissed for his third duck of the series, Ian Bell (0) and Gary Balance (18) became the victims of Jason Holder's deliveries.

Subsequently, Joe Root (33) added a calm half-century partnership with his captain before feathering a catch behind off Veerasammy Permaul delivery.

Moreover, Ben Stokes contributed 22 to the total before falling prey to Shannon Gabriel's delivery.

Gabriel and Holder were the pick of the bowlers for the hosts as they scalped two wickets each while Samuels and Permaul claiming one wicket each.

England lead the three-match Test series 1-0 after winning the second Test in Grenada by nine wickets.