Joe Root smashed his sixth Test century of the career as he anchored England to a commanding 373-6 at stumps on day three of the second Test against West Indies in Grenada on Thursday.
Resuming at the overnight position of 74-0, under-fire England openers Jonathan Trott and Alastair Cook went on to put up a 125-run stand for the first wicket before the dismissal of the former.
While skipper Cook (76) was denied a first Test hundred since May 2013, returning batsman Trott scored 59.
Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel scalped Ian Bell (1) immediately after removing Cook in almost identical fashion.
Subsequently, Root found an able ally in Gary Ballance as the duo went on to amass 165 runs for the fourth wicket. Ballance provided substantial support to Root before being dismissed for 77 off Marlon Samuels' delivery.
Reflecting on Root's performance, team mate Trott commented that he didn't think cricket is ever easy but he certainly made it look relatively easy, adding that the right-handed batsman is mature beyond his years and a fine player to have in the dressing room, the BBC reported.
While rest of the batsmen failed to contribute significantly as Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes fell cheaply for their individual scores of duck and eight, Root remained unbeaten on 118 to give the tourists a 74-run lead at stumps.
