Stuart Broad was at a loss to explain England's failure to bowl out the West Indies on day two of the second Test, after beating the bat over 100 times.

The hosts closed on 272 for six in Antigua, an ominous lead of 85 as they attempt to wrap up the three-match series 2-0 on a lively surface.

England dropped four catches – two regulation slip chances for Jos Buttler and more understandable spills from Keaton Jennings and Rory Burns – but even so, Broad could not believe more batsmen did not succumb in bowler-friendly conditions.

Broad refused to accept England were heading towards dire straits in the match, insisting the unpredictable pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium could make batting last a perilous business.

"If we get 140 (ahead) I'd fancy our chances on the last day," he suggested.

"I think we've got a great shout in this Test match. The score looks away from us at the moment but you only need someone to get one really good score.

"When I look at it as a team-mate and a fan I look at the likes of (Jonny) Bairstow, (Ben) Stokes, Buttler, Moeen (Ali) ... any of these guys could take the game away from the West Indies. But to allow them to do that someone has to get stuck in at the top of the order and build a platform."