England declare 281 runs ahead of West Indies as they eye unlikely victory push
England left themselves 65 overs to push for victory on the final day of the second Test against the West Indies, declaring 281 ahead at lunch in Barbados.
Joe Root Sport News
England captain Root admits he could have been ‘a bit braver’ with declaration
England captain Joe Root accepted he could have risked a bolder declaration after a second consecutive drawn Test with the West Indies but felt Kraigg Brathwaite’s iron will was the decisive factor.
2nd Test: Joe Root explains England's declaration against West Indies
England captain Joe Root acknowledged that he could have declared earlier on the final day of the drawn second Test against West Indies. By leaving his somewhat conservative declaration until lunch, he left his bowlers only 65 overs on a docile pitch to collect the 10 second-innings West Indies wickets needed for victory. The hosts were never going to seriously chase the 282 runs they needed to win, and probably would not have gone for a somewhat smaller margin either. But Root in a post match interview sounded as though he did not want to give the hosts even a sniff of a chance. "It's always a tricky one isn't it ... trying to weigh that up," he said of the constantly changing mathematical calculation surrounding the declaration. "Just with how small this ground is and how strong the wind was, you don't want to ... give too many overs. To look back in hindsight, could we have pulled out 10 overs earlier, would it have made much difference?"
West Indies vs England, 2nd Test: Stubborn Kraigg Brathwaite Sets Up Decider In Series Finale
Kraigg Brathwaite's celebrated obduracy was again necessary after his first innings marathon 160 as the West Indies captain's unbeaten second innings half-century ensured another draw on the final day of the second Test against England at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Sunday. Needing to survive two sessions having been set the improbable target of 282, Brathwaite's unbeaten 56 made sure a stumble to 93 for five just after tea did not result in a complete collapse as he got the necessary support from Joshua da Silva (30 not out) with the skipper and wicketkeeper negotiating 21 overs without being separated.
Root: England could have been 'braver' with declaration
England captain Joe Root admitted he could have risked a bolder declaration after his side could not quite force a final-day victory in the second Test against the West Indies in Barbados.
Root explains England declaration against West Indies
England captain Joe Root acknowledged that he could have declared earlier on the final day of the drawn second test against West Indies.
England could have been ‘a bit braver’ with declaration, admits Joe Root
England captain Joe Root accepted he could have risked a bolder declaration after a second consecutive drawn Test with the West Indies but felt Kraigg Brathwaite’s iron will was the decisive factor.
Kraigg Brathwaite stands firm as England forced to settle for second draw
England lost their battle of wills with Kraigg Brathwaite and drew the second Test against his West Indies side after a case of deja vu in Barbados.