England forced to settle for draw despite bold declaration in Antigua

England were unable to conquer a flat pitch and a committed West Indies side on the final day in Antigua after Joe Root’s 24th Test century and bold declaration gave his side a chance.

After setting up an intriguing target of 286 in 71 overs, England had their opponents 67 for four before Nkrumah Bonner and Jason Holder shut up shop.

With no tricks in the track and Mark Wood laid up in the treatment room, they held the fort for 239 deliveries before shaking hands on a draw.

That was always the likeliest result on a surface that has held together stubbornly and sucked some of the life out of this first Test, but predictions of a desultory fifth day were not realised.

Much of that was down to Root, who reached 109 in the morning session to go second on the country’s all-time list of century-makers, pulling ahead of Kevin Pietersen to sit behind previous captain Sir Alastair Cook’s 33.

But it was his proactive leadership that did most to add some intrigue. The declaration was far from cavalier – and a final score of 147 for four suggests the West Indies never fancied the challenge – but English captains, including this one, have habitually erred on the conservative side. Root has also been burned before, watching the same opponents chase down 322 after declaring at Headingley back in 2017.

It was, therefore, refreshing and in keeping with the reboot of England’s Test team to see a little more courage from the man in charge.

The addition of Wood’s pace and hostility may well have proved decisive but his right elbow injury is more serious than hoped and, after feeling “acute pain” in a gentle six-ball workout in the nets, he was ruled out of action. Similar news for the next two games in Barbados and Grenada may well follow