Root celebrates after scoring his sixth Test century

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England batsman Joe Root scored an unbeaten 118 to ensure his side maintained their advantage over the West Indies on the third day of the second Test in Grenada.

Root was well supported by England skipper Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Gary Ballance as the trio made half-centuries.

Starting off the day on 74/0, Cook and Trott converted their 74-run partnership into a 125-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Trott was caught by Jermaine Blackwood at second slip off the bowling of Devendra Bishoo.

Trott’s excellent knock of 59 came off 147 balls and included seven boundaries.

Trott hit seven boundaries during his knock of 59

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Cook went on to score 76 off 211 deliveries, which included eight boundaries, before he was clean bowled by Shannon Gabriel.

Cook finally regained some form with the bat

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Ian Bell only made one run before he was also cleaned up by Gabriel.

Root and Ballance stabilised the innings with a 165-run partnership, during which both batsmen registered their half-centuries, before Ballance was clean bowled by Marlon Samuels for 77 off 188 balls, which included eight boundaries and a six.

Ballance’s good form with the bat continued

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Moeen Ali failed to trouble the scorers as he was run out by Blackwood for a duck.

Ben Stokes fared no better as he was caught by Blackwood at deep midwicket off the bowling of Bishoo for eight runs.

Root and Jos Buttler amassed an unbeaten nine-run partnership before stumps was called.

Root finished on 118 off 165 balls, which included 13 boundaries and two sixes, while Buttler remained undefeated on four.

Gabriel and Bishoo picked up two wickets apiece, while Samuels chipped in with one.

England ended day three on 373/6 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 14:00 GMT.