Joe Root compiled his second straight century, an unbeaten 119, as England batted their strategy to a commanding place within the second Check towards West Indies in Barbados on Wednesday.
Despite the fact that Dan Lawrence fell for 91 with the ultimate ball of the primary day, England took the honours after successful the toss, reaching 244 for 3 at stumps on a flat Kensington Oval pitch in Bridgetown.
The strip was criticised by a number of ex-players within the commentary field for being too docile.
After a draw on a gradual monitor in Antigua final week, many hoped for a livelier strip on a floor the place not one of the seven earlier Checks had been drawn, not that Root had any complaints after making his twenty fifth Check century.
He might, although, have been out comparatively cheaply, the captain surviving a dropped caught-behind likelihood on 34, which got here not lengthy after he appeared to nick a Jason Holder supply to the wicketkeeper.
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite opted to not assessment the on-field not out name.
Serenaded by a singing Barmy Military that periodically chanted “Joe Root” to the tune of the Beatles’ Hey Jude, the No. 3 labored the ball round at will.
West Indies’ largely fruitless day within the subject went from dangerous to worse within the last session when Alzarri Joseph did not take a pointy however regulation likelihood that might have despatched Lawrence packing for 72.
The fake pas left bowler Seales struggling to include his frustration, however the dwelling staff’s temper improved when Lawrence spooned a easy catch to cowl off Holder to finish a 164-run partnership with Root.
Root has scored greater than 2,000 runs because the begin of 2021, practically double the subsequent greatest haul, and has made eight centuries, his solely comparatively lean patch coming in a shedding Ashes collection in Australia.
Seales acquired West Indies off to begin when he eliminated first Check centurion Zak Crawley for a seven-ball duck, beating the 24-year-old with an outswinger that was caught-behind.
Fellow opener Alex Lees, coming off two failures in Antigua, confirmed willpower to not give his wicket away cheaply, enjoying with comprehensible warning.
He made 30 earlier than being out lbw to spinner Veerasammy Permaul, lasting 138 balls and enjoying his half in taking the shine off the brand new ball.
England made two adjustments from the primary Check, with tempo bowlers Matt Fisher and Saqib Mahmood making their check debuts after coming in for Craig Overton and Mark Wooden.
