Joe Root has called for one final push from his England team-mates on their tour to West Indies to pull off what would be the “phenomenal” achievement of only a second series win in the Caribbean in 54 years. The 31-year-old captain is also at peace with the idea that this third Test match, in Grenada, the final Test of the series, could be his last as Test captain if a new head coach — due to be appointed before England next play in June — wants to change things.
England have played well in the first two Tests, almost forcing a win in the second in Barbados, and so will be eager to leave the Caribbean with a series victory. The side are keen to add to their singular win in the past 16 matches, the joint-worst sequence by an England side since the late 1980s.
“If the head coach comes in and thinks differently [about the captaincy] that’s fine, that’s his decision,” Root, who has scored 284 runs this series, said. “If in time I’m no longer in this position, I’ll still do everything I can to take us to be the best team in the world. I really hope I get that opportunity but it’s completely out of my control.
“The thing that is in my control is helping this team put in a really strong performance and win this series, which would be a phenomenal achievement. Not many teams have done it. Off the back of a very difficult winter, it would be a great way to round things off.
“It would mean a huge amount to the group and to me. But the thing is not to get sucked into thinking too far ahead. The most pleasing thing is we’ve not had that nightmare session that’s cost us a Test. We’ve looked at individual sessions and each hour and looked to win each one. That mentality is serving us well.”
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England have made one change, with Craig Overton coming in for Matthew Fisher. Ollie Robinson was ruled out after again reporting discomfort during training.
“If we keep doing what we have been so far it’s not going to be long [before England win],” Root added. “We’re playing some really good cricket and we’re getting better as the series has gone on. We’ve played the majority of the cricket up until now. There’s been a clear step forward.”
The last time England went into the final Test of an overseas series all square was in New Zealand in 2013. The match was a nail-biter, drawn with England’s last-wicket pair at the crease.
