Could have been a bit braver with the declaration: Joe Root

With the second Test in Barbados also ending in a stalemate, England captain Joe Root says he could have been braver with his declaration. Kraigg Brathwaite once agai stood firm as his stubborn 56 not out following his marathon 160 in the first innings helped West Indies draw the game.

Root had given his bowlers a couple of sessions to bowl West Indies out, setting them 282 to get from 65 overs. They did get three quick wickets, but could not make inroads quicker as the hosts finished with 135 for 5.

"It's frustrating not to win, but the way we played was a brilliant effort on a very placid surface," Root said after the Test. 

"We could have maybe been a bit braver with the declaration, but it feels like a faster scoring ground here. I thought they might have a little go [at chasing], but it wasn't the case."

In the first Test in Antigua, West Indies were given the task of chasing 286 in 71 overs, but England fell six wickets short. With two drawn Tests in the series to go with a 4-0 drubbing in the Ashes prior to this, England have not tasted a Test victory in the last seven Tests now.

"Maybe we could have pulled out 10 overs earlier, but defending 240 in 70 overs might be a big ask for any side on that wicket," Root said.

"We didn't try to go for a miracle win in 30 overs, making sure we had 340 on the board, but I suppose the more confident you get, the braver you might get with those decisions.

"The most important thing is to keep finding ways of giving ourselves a chance to win Tests because we are finding positions where we're on top and commanding the game."

Root commended his players saying that he could not have asked anything more from them. "In terms of where we've been this winter and where we're starting to see improvements is a really promising thing from us," added Root.

"If we keep putting ourselves in these positions it won't be long before we see ourselves winning a Test match here.

"The batting group is slowly building the confidence back up and getting somewhere where we need to be in this format."

The three-match Test series will reach its conclusion with the third game, scheduled to begin on Thursday (March 24) in Grenada.