West Indies vs. England: Winners and Losers from 1st Test

West Indies repelled England's bowlers to secure a thrilling draw in the first Test of the three-match series.

Jason Holder was an unlikely hero with the bat for the hosts, making an unbeaten 103 to see his side to safety in Antigua.

England did at least have something to celebrate, with James Anderson becoming their leading wicket-taker in Test cricket.

However, the Lancastrian was unable to help the tourists turn their dominance into a victory on the final day.

West Indies finished up on 350 for seven in their second innings after facing 129.4 overs. 

Here we run down the winners and losers from the game at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Feel free to have your say on the opening Test by using the comments section at the bottom of the page.

It took a while, but eventually James Anderson became England's all-time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket.

The Lancashire seamer went into the match, his 100th in the longest format, needing to add four more to his career tally to go past Sir Ian Botham's mark of 383.

He claimed two in the first innings and then drew level at the summit by getting Marlon Samuels caught in the gully in the morning session on the fifth and final day.

It seemed he might have to make do with finishing the game in a tie for top spot, only to then strike in the 112th over of the fourth innings.

West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin edged a delivery, and Alastair Cook completed the dismissal with a sharp catch at slip.

It was a moment of delight for not just Anderson but also his watching family—a group of the bowler's close relatives had flown out to Antigua with the hope of seeing him break the record.

While they were made to wait for the moment, Anderson delivered during the closing stages at North Sound.

He admitted afterwards to Sky Sports that he was "proud" to have achieved the feat with his loved ones present, while Botham was also there to congratulate the man who had overtaken him.

England's new-look (even if they are both experienced players) opening pair combined for a grand total of 28 runs in the match.

Jonathan Trott's international return certainly did not go to plan, as he twice fell cheaply to Jerome Taylor.

The Warwickshire batsman—who had not played for England since leaving the 2013/14 Ashes tour due to a stress-related illness—was asked to open the innings on his comeback.

Having made his name batting at three, the move up to the top of the order failed to immediately pay off.

Trott was out for a duck in the first innings and then made only four runs the second time around, hardly scores to justify the selectors' decision to pick him over Yorkshire's Adam Lyth.

Alastair Cook, meanwhile, did at least make it into double figures in both knocks.

However, scores of 11 and 13 are not going to dismiss concerns over the form of England's captain—he still hasn't hit a Test century since May 2013.

Both players will know they need to turn in a performance of note during the rest of the tour if they want to silence the doubters.

Jermaine Blackwood and Jason Holder were the unlikely stars for the home team with the bat.

Blackwood hit his maiden international century in West Indies' first innings, his unbeaten knock of 112 including 14 fours and two sixes.

Particularly impressive hitting straight down the ground, the Jamaican's aggressive approach helped minimise the deficit before a clatter of late wickets saw the hosts bowled out for 295.

He did blot his copybook with his dismissal the second time around, though, charging at Chris Jordan only to get an edge through to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.

At that stage West Indies were 189 for six and—with England about to take the second new ball—on course to lose the series opener.

They ended up salvaging a draw, thanks to Holder's outstanding hundred.

It was his first in Test cricket, and he picked the perfect time to achieve the feat with his team in serious trouble.

The 23-year-old—who captained his country during the ICC Cricket World Cup—fended off everything the tourists threw at him to finish up on 103 not out.

Picked in a four-man bowling attack, Sulieman Benn needed to play a pivotal role for West Indies.

On day one, the left-arm spinner should have provided a reliable option for his captain, Denesh Ramdin, while the three front-line seamers were rotated at the other end.

In the second innings, with the pitch wearing, he could have the chance to play a more prominent role.

However, Benn failed to fulfil either role successfully in a forgettable outing.

He returned match figures of two for 200 after toiling for 52 overs, and even then both of his wickets came when England were looking for quick runs on the fourth afternoon.

His bowling average now sits at 39.10 for his Test career, while he strikes ever 84.1 deliveries.

West Indies also included Devendra Bishoo in their squad for the series opener—it will be interesting to see if the leg-spinner is drafted in for the next match, in Grenada, at the expense of Benn.

It might seem a bit odd to say for a player who hit three Test centuries in 2014, but Gary Ballance needed a score in Antigua.

The Yorkshire left-hander had a tough time of it during the Cricket World Cup, making just 36 runs in four innings before losing his place in the team.

Things got off to a rocky start for him in the Caribbean too, as he was dismissed for 10 in England's first innings.

However, Ballance made the most of his second opportunity in the match.

His knock of 122—which included 11 fours and two sixes—helped set up England's victory push. It also dismissed any idea of the Zimbabwe-born batsman being under pressure for his place.

He now has a Test average of 61.50 and, barring a major loss of form or picking up an injury, has made himself a certain starter for the Ashes on home soil later in the year.

With a hectic schedule ahead (they play 17 Tests in the space of nine months), England could have done with an early win.

They finished their Test summer in 2014 with a series triumph over India, but since then they have been dismal in one-day action.

An early exit from the Cricket World Cup was a major disappointment, as well as signalling the end of the line for Paul Downton in his role as managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Boad.

The pressure is on for success on the field, and for the large majority of the match in Antigua it seemed Alastair Cook's side would go 1-0 up in the series.

They had their opponents in serious trouble at 189 for six, particularly with the second new ball just around the corner.

However, Jason Holder—with help from Denesh Ramdin and Kemar Roach—helped defy the tourists in the final session.

The draw leaves the series in the balance heading to the second Test in Grenada, and England will be hoping they won't be cursing their failure to get over the finishing line when the tour is over.

All stats used in the article were provided by ESPN Cricinfo