Joe Root’s first overseas century propelled England to 373-6 and a 74-run lead over the West Indies after three days of the second test on Thursday. Root joined Gary Ballance after lunch after England had just lost captain Alastair Cook and Ian Bell in quick succession. Together on a placid pitch, they upped the dire run-rate and lifted England past West Indies’ first-innings total of 299.
Root, on 86 at the time, remained focused and aggressive as Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes threw away their wickets, reaching his century off 125 balls about halfway through the evening session.
Root’s hundred was the sixth in his 24th test, and his sixth successive score over 50, equaling the England record. He was in such dominant form, hitting two sixes and 13 fours, that his first false shot was not until he was on 102, a lofted hit off legspinner Davendra Bishoo that landed just beyond the mid-on fielder. The loss of Ballance, Ali, and Stokes for 35 runs were unexpected setbacks for England but, with Root to return on the fourth day, they retain the advantage on a batsman’s pitch.
Root and Balance came together after Shannon Gabriel, the muscular fast bowler who was a late replacement for the injured Jerome Taylor, struck twice off six balls after lunch. Root and Ballance were in such control that the wickets of Ballance, after an innings of 188 balls with a six and eight fours, of Ali run out for 0, and of Stokes caught at deep mid-wicket for 8. Samuels gave the unimpressed Stokes a lingering salute, but the West Indies couldn’t prise out Root.
Brief Scores
West Indies: 299 & 79/1 (Brathwaite 41, Darren Bravo 36) trail England: 464 (Joe Root 182, Alistair Cook 76, Jonathan Trott 59; Bishoo 4/177) by 86 runs.