England in West Indies: First Test draw is a 'huge step forward' says captain Joe Root

England's draw against West Indies in the first Test is a «huge step forward» after a «difficult year», says captain Joe Root.

Root's side have won only one of their past 15 Test matches and were beaten 4-0 by Australia in this winter's Ashes.

But they showed promise across the final two days in Antigua before being thwarted in their push for victory by a stubborn West Indies on Saturday.

«We showed a huge amount of character,» Root told BBC Sport.

England suffered an all-too-familiar collapse on day one as they slumped to 48-4, before Jonny Bairstow's superb 140 helped them post 311.

After West Indies replied with 375, the tourists declared on 349-6 on day five following centuries from Zak Crawley (121) and Root (109), before the hosts reached 147-4 at the close.

England failed to pass 300 once in 10 innings in the Ashes, after which director of cricket Ashley Giles, head coach Chris Silverwood and batting coach Graham Thorpe all left their roles.

«I'm really pleased with the way we played, especially give the position we were in after that first hour,» said Root, who now has 24 Test centuries.

«The guys stayed calm and showed great maturity to get us to a total, especially off the back of a difficult winter and a difficult year where we've not scored anywhere near enough runs.»

On a docile pitch, England only stood an outside chance of victory on the final day, but took four wickets for eight runs either side of tea to boost their hopes, before Nkrumah Bonner and Jason Holder dug in with a stand of 80 that lasted 35.5 overs.

The tourists were limited by the absence of fast bowler Mark Wood because of an elbow injury.

«The way the guys stuck at it, especially having one bowler down as well, showed a huge amount of character and it