JAMES ANDERSON admitted England were defeated by the pitch as the West Indies dug in to force a draw in the first Test in Antigua.
Anderson enjoyed a record-breaking day personally, taking his 384th Test wicket to surpass Sir Ian Botham's mark, but it was not enough to earn England victory as Jason Holder's century helped the hosts reach the close on 350 for seven.
A first-innings ton from Ian Bell and one in the second from Gary Ballance put England in good positions, but it was not enough.
Anderson said: "We had a bit of trouble with the bat in the first innings, having lost the toss. We got ourselves back in the game, great hundred from Belly, great hundred from Gaz in the second innings.
"But we just couldn't quite find anything in that pitch whatsoever to get the 10 wickets. We tried our hearts out, we gave it everything today. I thought all the guys bowled really well and we just couldn't get over the line."
England captain Alastair Cook said he could not have asked for any more from his players.
"We knew it was going to be hard work and it proved to be so," he said.
"Getting three wickets in the first session was a great effort, you are always in with a chance for the rest of the day when you do that.
"Credit to Jason for the way he played. We couldn't have done any more. The only chance we put down was off a boot, diving by Tredders (James Tredwell), one-handed. We tried everything, I can't fault the lads' effort."
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