Keaton Jennings fell cheaply on the second morning of the first Test after England dismissed the West Indies for 289 in Barbados.
The tourists took their last two wickets for 25 runs, all off the bat of the flamboyant Shimron Hetmyer before he was last man out for 81.
James Anderson completed fine figures of five for 46 when he found Alzarri Joseph's edge for a 22-ball duck, matching Sir Ian Botham's national record of 27 five-wicket hauls, before Ben Stokes and a diving Ben Foakes combined to end Hetmyer's fun.
That left 11 overs for the English openers to negotiate before lunch – a task that proved beyond Jennings, who is facing renewed questions over his place at the top of the order.
After a steady start against the pace duo of Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel, Jennings diverted Jason Holder to gully to depart for 17.
Jennings made a fine unbeaten 146 in spinning conditions in Galle four Tests ago but his continued travails against seam bowling have left him with a worrying Test average of 26.28.
Rory Burns and Jonny Bairstow ensured no further losses, with a score of 30 for one at lunch.
England seamer Stuart Broad was not present at the Kensington Oval on Thursday, 24 hours after being left out of the team for the third time in four matches.
The 32-year-old was doubtless disappointed by the decision, particularly after watching the success of fellow seamers Anderson and Stokes, but that was not thought to have contributed to his absence.
An England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman said non-playing squad members would be given time off in rotation during Test matches, with Chris Woakes also not at the stadium.
