The West Indies were 132 for four at the close of another weather-affected day in the fourth and final Test against England on Saturday.
Ryan Sidebottom claimed two of the four wickets that fell before tea in an extended first session, before the reliable Shivnarine Chanderpaul (44 not out) and Dwayne Bravo (43 not out) offered some resistance.
Bad light and steady rain eventually stopped play with 40.4 overs possible in the day at the Chester-le-Street ground.
After the first day and three hours of day two were lost to rain, West Indies captain Daren Ganga was out to the first ball of the match when his forward push to left-arm swinger Sidebottom was caught at short leg by Alastair Cook.
It was the perfect start for England, who are seeking to win the series 3-0 after victories at Headingley and Old Trafford.
Chris Gayle scored a four in the seventh over after a poor fielding attempt by Monty Panesar -- his second error in three overs. Next ball, bowler Sidebottom was handed the ultimate punishment when Gayle clipped a six off his legs over midwicket.
Gayle's aggressive intent, though, was his downfall when a loose shot to Matthew Hoggard in the eighth over saw him trapped lbw on the back foot to an in-swinger.
Left-hander Gayle made 28 from 24 deliveries and struck three boundaries and one six. He has failed to make a half-century so far in seven innings in the series.
Just when West Indies required consolidation, left-hander Devon Smith was bowled out for only four runs when he misjudged a Sidebottom delivery and left a ball he thought would swing away but actually went straight on.
England almost reduced West Indies to 43 for four but Ian Bell at third slip could not hold a sharp chance at head height offered by Chanderpaul off Hoggard when he was on nine. Chanderpaul was dropped on 18 at Old Trafford and scored 116 not out.
Runako Morton was the fourth man out, driving Steve Harmison's slower ball to Sidebottom at mid-off for six.
Bravo, who showed impressive maturity and patience as he tried to stem the flurry of wickets, spent 25 minutes and 20 balls at the crease before scoring his first run.
The 23-year-old all-rounder survived a scare when on 25 after his straight drive just evaded the right hand of bowler Steve Harmsion.
