James Anderson underlined his rapid development into England's leading strike bowler to reduce the West Indies to 3-92 with another hostile display and all but ensure his side regains the Wisden Trophy in the second Test.
The Lancashire seamer has long been regarded as one of England's most promising swing bowlers but until recently has not been established as a member of its first-choice line-up, which was demonstrated when he was overlooked for the first Test in Jamaica in February.
But, since regaining his place in England's attack, Anderson has developed into its most productive bowler and continued that progress by claiming a further three wickets to almost certainly secure his place for the first Ashes Test in Cardiff on July 8.
Anderson's spell of three for 21 in 36 balls reduced West Indies to 3-94 - a deficit of 475 runs - at the close of another weather-hit third day of the second Test at Chester-le-Street in reply to England's declared total of 6-569.
His display almost certainly ensured England will regain the Wisden Trophy it lost so unexpectedly in the Caribbean earlier this year and, just as importantly, maintained its momentum in the build-up to the Ashes.
He had been forced to wait for more than 24 hours to resume his innings as nightwatchman after the second day was completely washed out by rain and immediately continued his running battle with West Indies strike bowler Fidel Edwards, which began in the Caribbean earlier this year and has spilled over into this series.
Just the presence of Anderson at the crease as England resumed on 2-302 from the opening day seemed to rile Edwards into a succession of short-pitched deliveries while he reserved most of his fastest deliveries for England's nightwatchman during an unbroken 11-over spell before lunch.
Several words were exchanged between the pair with Edwards' frustration growing as Anderson was twice given a reprieve during the early stages when he was dropped down the leg-side by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin and then caught at slip off a no-ball.
Edwards claimed victory in the battle between them by finally pitching the ball up and bowling Anderson off his pads but it was the England star who ended up enjoying the upper hand as the hosts dominated the remainder of the day's play.
Knowing it needed a major total to bat West Indies out of the contest and equally aware it had to be positive to give itself enough time to force a possible victory, England achieved both objectives.
Having lost Anderson in the seventh over of the day, it would have been easy for England to play cautiously and ensure West Indies was given no encouragement as it attempts to bounce back from its Lord's hammering in the opening Test.
Instead, England played the aggressive and positive cricket captain Andrew Strauss had demanded before the Test, adding 267 runs at 4.68 an over before finally declaring at tea.
No one in the England camp will kid themselves that this West Indies line-up, who appear less motivated and more disenchanted by this tour as every day passes, is presenting a similar challenge and competition to that of Australia later in the summer.
The fact remains, however, England has strung together a consistent series of batting displays since being dismissed for 51 by West Indies in Jamaica last February and has now passed 500 in four of its last five completed Test matches.
Alastair Cook provided the early stability, progressing from his unbeaten 126 to reach a Test best 160 before falling just before lunch when he gave a leading edge off left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn to mid-off.
But it was the middle order that enabled England to score at such a rate, with Kevin Pietersen racing to 49 off 57 balls before becoming too adventurous facing Benn shortly after the interval and giving a high catch to backward point.
Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior maintained that impetus with an aggressive 94-run stand dominated by England's wicketkeeper, but it was exactly the type of aggressive cricket they will need to repeat if Australia is also to be beaten.
Having reached that imposing total, Anderson then seized on the momentum by bowling Devon Smith with an inswinger and then winning a fortuitous lbw decision against West Indies captain Chris Gayle from umpire Asoka de Silva.
Anderson's three-wicket haul was completed with a full-length delivery that tempted Lendl Simmons into pushing forward and edging to captain Strauss at first slip to leave the tourists reeling on 3-68.
It took a determined, unbeaten 41 from Ramnaresh Sarwan and two breaks for bad light to prevent further setbacks for a West Indies side looking increasingly demoralised as England builds its momentum for bigger challenges ahead.
England 1st Innings
Strauss c Ramdin b Gayle 26
Cook c Gayle b Benn 160
Bopara b Baker 108
Anderson b Edwards 14
Pietersen c Simmons b Benn 49
Collingwood not out 60
Prior c Benn b Simmons 63
Broad not out 28
Extras 61 (b 20, lb 5, w 8, nb 28)
Total 569 (6 wickets (declared), 147 overs)
FoW: 1-69, 2-282, 3-326, 4-410, 5-419, 6-513
Bowling
Taylor 20 – 2 – 68 – 0 (4nb, 1w)
Edwards 25 – 1 – 113 – 1 (14nb)
Baker 30 – 3 – 119 – 1 (3w)
Gayle 14 – 2 – 31 – 1
Benn 43 – 8 – 146 – 2 (1nb, 2w)
Simmons 14 – 0 – 60 – 1 (1nb, 1w)
Sarwan 1 – 0 – 7 - 0
West Indies 1st Innings
Smith b Anderson 7
Gayle lbw b Anderson 19
Sarwan not out 41
Simmons c Strauss b Anderson 8
Chanderpaul not out 3
Extras 16 (b 2, lb 11, w 2, nb 1)
Total 94 (3 wickets, 26 overs)
FoW: 1-18, 2-38, 3-68
Bowling
Anderson 11 – 3 – 36 – 3 (1w)
Broad 6 – 0 – 28 – 0 (1nb)
Onions 7 – 3 – 15 – 0 (1w)
Bresnan 2 – 1 – 2 - 0