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.

England took five West Indies second innings wickets after setting the hosts a target of 282 from 65 overs, but Kraigg Brathwaite - who denied Root's men for a mammoth 489-ball 160 in the first innings - again frustrated the visitors, the Windies captain notching an unbeaten half century as the game ultimately petered out into a draw.

"It's frustrating not to get the win, but the way we played was a brilliant effort on a very placid surface," said Root. "It's not a win, but it feels like another step forward.

"We could have maybe been a bit braver with the declaration, but it feels like a faster scoring ground here. I thought they might have a little go [at chasing], but it wasn't the case.

"Maybe we could have pulled out 10 overs earlier, but defending 240 in 70 overs might be a big ask for any side on that wicket.

"We didn't try to go for a miracle win in 30 overs, making sure we had 340 on the board, but I suppose the more confident you get, the braver you might get with those decisions.

"The most important thing is to keep finding ways of giving ourselves a chance to win Tests because we are finding positions where we're on top and commanding the game."

England might well have won the Test were it not for the tireless batting of Brathwaite, who occupied the crease for just under 12 hours in the first innings and more than four on the final day.

"It was annoying how good he was," added Root. "He played brilliantly in both innings and ground us down.

"He takes it deep time and time again, he had a clear game plan and stuck to it