Alec Stewart turned the pivotal third Test of the Cornhill series firmly in England's favour with a sparkling counter-attack against West Indies at Old Trafford to continue his summer of success.

The man known universally as 'the gaffer' arrived at the crease with England again in trouble at 17 for three after they had dismissed West Indies for a lowly 157 just after lunch on the second day.

Over four hours later, his enterprising strokeplay and forceful running had turned a potential disaster into a position of strength with an unbeaten 105 to guide England to 196 for three and a 39-run lead

Renewing his successful one-day partnership with Somerset's Marcus Trescothick, Stewart oozed class and confidence and, having carefully seen off the threat of Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, set to work on back-up bowlers Franklyn Rose and Reon King.

Seizing on anything which gave him width and gleefully accepting anything too short, which Rose and King delivered all too readily, Stewart produced one of the most commanding, attacking innings in recent years.

His name will forever be linked with his incredible efforts in Barbados six years ago, when he became the first Englishman to score two centuries in a Test against West Indies. But yesterday's performance deserves to rank alongside.

Trescothick fed off Stewart's confidence and, after two reprieves, reached 65 by the close, having helped his senior partner add 179 in 44 overs.

He will resume ten runs short of the highest score by an England opener on his Test debut, Martyn Moxon's 74 against New Zealand at Lord's 14 years ago.

But even as impressive a start as his could not overshadow Stewart, whose century made him only the fourth man to score a hundred in his 100th Test appearance, following Colin Cowdrey, Javed Miandad and Gordon Greenidge.

He reached his 50 off 63 balls, an amazing rate considering England's perilous position, and progressed to three figures off a further 73 deliveries. He hit 13 boundaries and was three runs short of scoring a century in a session.

Walsh, 37, but showing little sign of growing old peacefully, delivered yet another new-ball spell of absolute class.

In his opening seven overs Walsh did not concede a run, dismissed Michael Atherton, and sent back Nasser Hussain and Graham Thorpe with successive deliveries.

Using guile and experience, Walsh had Atherton trudging back to the pavilion off the 24th ball of England's reply, which straightened and was edged to second slip.

It was hardly the comforting start to a Test career that Trescothick had wanted, but rather than snatch at an opportunity to get off the mark he remained watchful and took 43 minutes to score his first runs.

Hussain failed to convince again. He was fortunate to escape when he hooked Rose straight to Walsh on the boundary only for the big fast bowler to step over the rope.

But Walsh was quick to repay the debt, ending Hussain's almost painful innings with a sharply lifting delivery which looped off his bat to Jimmy Adams at point.

Walsh saved his best for the next ball when Thorpe was completely deceived by a slower delivery which looped high in the air and dropped on to the Surrey left-hander's in-step to give umpire Peter Willey one of his easier lbw decisions.

Stewart stepped out to thwart Walsh's hat-trick and his authority also calmed Trescothick, who had been dropped on three by Wavell Hinds at square leg after an impetuous pull off Rose.

Trescothick survived another close shave, failing to connect properly with another attempted pull on 46, which looped high in the air and over bowler Rose's head.

Stewart marched purposefully down the wicket to remind his young accomplice of the need for discipline.

West Indies had begun the day with captain Adams hoping to justify his decision to bat first.

He took 40 minutes and 27 balls before adding to his overnight 16, but despite a 69-run partnership with youngster Ramnaresh Sarwan, who cracked a rib after being hit in the chest by a 90mph Craig White delivery, West Indies lost their last six wickets for 39 runs in 86 balls.

Dominic Cork again took centre stage by claiming three for five in 25 balls to finish with four for 23.

l Two former Test bowlers produced career-best performances in the latest round of County Championship matches as Division One leaders Surrey surged towards victory over Lancashire.

The champions were grateful to Alex Tudor's best-ever return of seven for 48 as third-placed Lancashire were shot for a paltry 120.

Lancashire reached stumps at 19 without loss in their second knock knowing they will need all their resilience to keep their unbeaten championship record intact and in so doing remain apace in the race for the title.

Meanwhile, another England discard, Hampshire's Alan Mullally, claimed four further victims at Derby, following his nine for 93 in Derbyshire's first innings, for a career-high match haul of 13 wickets