Root in favour of gamble

ENGLAND captain Joe Root has no intention of erring on t he side of caution when it comes to deciding on a declaration in future.

Having accelerated into a lead exceeding 300 in the second Test, Root opted to end England’s second i nnings l ate on day four, even though they had two wickets in hand, in an effor t to make inroads i nto t he West Indies’ battling line-up.

It was a decision that allowed the tourists back into the contest and they grabbed it with both hands, with Shai Hope’s historic 118 not out underpinning the Windies’ fourth-highest run-chase of all time as they hunted down a 322 victory target on a thrilling final day at Headingley

But while his gamble backfired this time as the Windies secured a shock first win on these shores for 17 years, when asked whether the experience would lead to more wary declarations, Root replied: “I don’t think it will.

“The declaration might not have been timed right but I thought it was a positive thing to do, we’re a side that want to go out t h e r e a n d w i n Te s t matches.

“We got ourselves in a position where we could do that and credit to the West Indies, they played really well, they made it difficult for us to get on top of them.”

The Windies had been heavily criticised following their innings-and-209-run defeat i n the day-night Test at Edgbaston, but Root insists he had never underestimated the threat they pose.

He added: “At no point have I thought that they’re not a talented side.”

Joe Root