Root bemoans 'very flat' Grenada pitch

JoeRoot - Cropped

England batsman Joe Root lamented the likelihood of another draw in their series against West Indies, blaming "a very flat wicket" in Grenada.

Heading into the final day of the second Test at the National Cricket Stadium, West Indies have a 37-run lead and eight wickets remaining in their second innings.

For England to win, they will need to take those wickets quickly on Saturday and then reel in the home side's advantage, but Root seems unconvinced.

The first Test in Antigua also ended in a draw.

"I see it [the match] pretty much in the balance," Root told ecb.co.uk after Friday's play.

"It's a very flat wicket, not very responsive for the bowlers. We're going to need a very good session tomorrow morning, up front.

"If we can get a couple of early wickets you never know we might have a game on our hands, but it's a very flat wicket at the moment."

Root was vital to England's first innings total of 464, scoring 182 not out, as the tourists built a 165-run lead, but with Kraigg Brathwaite (101 not out) and Darren Bravo (69) leading the charge, West Indies ended Friday at 202-2.

The century continued Root's strong tour of the Caribbean, with the 24-year-old having averaged 158.33 across five innings - including two practice matches.

"It's obviously pleasing to make a big hundred but you'll have to ask me at the end of the game," he said.

"If we get a result out of the game, it'll mean a lot more."

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