In between two stoppages for rain, Harmison, whose seven wickets in the previous Test catapulted England to a sensational 10-wicket victory, captured five wickets for 48 runs from 17 overs as West Indies struggled to 189 for eight in their first innings when bad light stopped play 10 overs early.

West Indies might have felt their decision to bat on a hard, true pitch under sunny to overcast skies was correct when they benefitted from a century opening stand between left-handers Chris Gayle and Devon Smith.

Michael Vaughan, however, swung Harmison to the southern, or Queen's Park Cricket Club End, for a second spell and his introduction transformed the complexion of the match.

Gayle, Smith and West Indies captain Brian Lara, all departed in a sensational 15-minute period just prior to lunch in the space of 13 balls and the rot continued, although the rains offered the home team temporary respite.

Batting like a man possessed, Gayle hit 12 fours and one six from 81 balls in the top score of 62 in just under two hours and had eased West Indian pain of last Sunday's debacle at Kingston when they were bowled out for a Test low of 47.

Things fell apart for West Indies after the left-hander, playing defensively forward, was caught behind to end an opening stand of exactly 100 with Smith to lift English spirits after the two openers, but Gayle in particular, marauded the visitors' attack.

In Harmison's next over, England gained a bonus when Smith, playing back to the first delivery, was adjudged lbw for 35 that included seven fours from 71 balls, and then hit the jackpot when Lara was caught at gully for a four-ball duck.

Only half an hour of cricket was possible in the afternoon period, but it was enough time for Simon Jones to have experienced left Shivnarine Chanderpaul caught behind for two top-edging a cut to leave West Indies on 127 for four when light rain prompted an early tea break.

Once play restarted after almost 90 minutes, West Indies declined rapidly as they had no answer to the English bowlers, who exploited the prevailing overcast conditions and moist pitch to great effect.

Dwayne Smith was caught at square for 16 and Sarwan was caught at second slip for 21 to complete another five-wicket haul for the irrepressible Harmison to leave West Indies 143 for six.

Matthew Hoggard joined the party when Tino Best was caught behind for one before Adam Sanford was run out for one by England captain Michael Vaughan's throw from deep fine leg to the keeper that summed up the plight of the West Indies, who sank further into the abyss on 165 for eight.