Root out to seize on drop of luck
SKIPPER SURVIVES TWO SCARES AS ENGLAND EYE SECOND TEST GLORY
JOE ROOT could be England’s Yorkshire diamond as he rode his luck to turn the second Test back towards more home-ground glory.
Root remains on 45 not out with a lead of just two runs after England closed the day on 171-3 in a tight, pulsating game in Leeds.
He was dropped on 10 by Kyle Hope and given out lbw before the decision was overturned on review and he has not looked back, knowing that it is in his hands to set up the game over the last two days.
Both England and the Windies will feel they took something from day three, but with Root still there and Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali to come, the lead could grow like a Western Terrace beer snake.
“It has been a positive day for us,” said opener Mark Stoneman following his maiden Test 50. “We have fantastic batting all the way down and the momentum is probably now in our favour.
“Joe is one of the world’s best batsmen and to have him still out in the middle is great for us, but the key to this wicket is to work in partnerships.”
West Indies should also be pleased after being bowled out for 427, giving them a lead of 169 before they reduced England to 94-3.
But it could have been even better and skipper Jason Holder, who bowled beautifully, admitted Root’s overturned lbw was hard to take.
“It was a tough moment and I thought I had him,” said Holder. “We talked about not letting him flow, he is one of those free-flowing players and he is strong all round the wicket so it was just a matter of being patient.
“We made the English batters work hard for their runs and we’re still in a good position. If we can restrict the target to around 150 we’ll be happy with that.”
England are aiming for over 200, which would give their bowlers something to work with and the fact they are back on level terms is in no small part down to Stoneman.
It looks like England have found their Ashes opener (above) as the 30-year-old played his longest innings to date and looked comfortable in making 52.
The same could not be said for Tom Westley, who drove at a wide one and gave it away on just eight.
Stoneman added: “Nothing prepares you for the intensity and scrutiny of Test cricket, but having a few years under my belt
helps.”