Root steers England to big lead

Joe Root became the first England player to score a century during the series as the visitors strengthened their stranglehold in the third Test against West Indies on Monday.

The England captain compiled a patient, unbeaten 111 in St Lucia as the visitors closed in on a consolation victory after losing the first two tests in the three-match series.

Ben Stokes was on 29 and England were 325 for four in their second innings at the close, an overall lead of 448 runs with two days remaining in Gros Islet.

Root had endured a poor series with the bat, making just 55 runs in his five previous innings.

But he made amends by notching up his 16th Test century with a classic drive through mid-off for four, albeit off a generous full toss from Alzarri Joseph.

Root's celebration showed just how much the innings meant to him as he punched the air, hugged team mate Stokes and then soaked up the minute-long applause from a pro-England crowd singing his name.

Root did not want to read too much into his recent low scores, especially since a couple of those dismissals had been to virtually unplayable deliveries.

Though the series is lost, he said the match was far from being irrelevant.

"It's been a tough three games and we have been outplayed at times so I think it was important we showed some resilience, bounced back and showed what we are capable of as a side."

West Indies endured a long day in the field, picking up just four wickets.

Their cause was not helped by a thigh injury incurred early by pace bowler Keemo Paul, who departed on a stretcher, leaving West Indies with only three quick bowlers complemented by Roston Chase's part-time spin.

Batsman Darren Bravo was also absent from the field after being struck on a finger on Sunday.

SCORES IN BRIEF

ENGLAND: First innings 277 and second innings 325 for 4 (Jennings 23, Denly 69, Root 111 not out, Buttler 56, Stokes 29 not out; Roach 1-31, Paul 1-11)

WEST INDIES: First innings 154.