BUMBLE ON THE TEST: Joe Root is becoming a modern great

England declared on 507-9 after Ben Stokes's century lit up day two of the second Test between England and West Indies in Barbados.

Stokes hit an impressive 120 off just 114 balls before being caught out for 120 by Sharmarh Brooks. It was his first Test century since Ged died late in 2020.

Meanwhile, captain Joe Root played a supporting role as his lieutenant blasted West Indies and progressed to 153.

Sportsmail's DAVID LLOYD offers his views and insights on a blistering day's play in the second Test at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

The rock-and-roll players can even empty swimming pools! 

I noticed that fans in the party stand put their beers down and got out of the water to watch Ben Stokes on Thursday. 

Recently, he has been coming in at 30 for three and having to drop anchor. Here we saw his aggressive natural game.

Joe Root is turning into one of the modern greats. What makes him so good? He plays it late. 

Every top player I have known played the ball very close to their body and that is what Root does.

He almost has a signature shot — he lets the ball come right in and glides it down to third man, where most teams don’t have a fielder.

I am absolutely thrilled for Matt Fisher getting his first Test wicket. 

He has come through difficult injuries and he is a rock-solid character, as is Saqib Mahmood. 

But a penny for Jimmy Anderson’s thoughts. He will have had his feet up thinking, ‘Well done batters, why weren’t you doing that when I was in the team?’

England have always been suspicious about leg-spinners. Maybe captains don’t know how to employ them. But Matt Parkinson is well worth a go.

I hear people say he can’t field and can’t bat. That is a lazy argument. I’d rather know what he can do — and that is spin