• England captain Joe Root is consoled by Ben Stokes after losing the third Test - and the series - against West Indies at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Getty
    England captain Joe Root is consoled by Ben Stokes after losing the third Test - and the series - against West Indies at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Getty
  • West Indies players celebrate after winning the three-match series 1-0. Getty
    West Indies players celebrate after winning the three-match series 1-0. Getty
  • Dejected England captain Joe Root after the match. Reuters
    Dejected England captain Joe Root after the match. Reuters
  • West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite celebrates after defeating England by ten wickets on Day 4 in Grenada. AP
    West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite celebrates after defeating England by ten wickets on Day 4 in Grenada. AP
  • West Indies' Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell celebrate after beating England. AP
    West Indies' Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell celebrate after beating England. AP
  • West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite batting on Day 4. Getty
    West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite batting on Day 4. Getty
  • West Indies bowler Kemar Roach successfully appeals for the wicket of England's Jack Leach. Getty
    West Indies bowler Kemar Roach successfully appeals for the wicket of England's Jack Leach. Getty
  • West Indies fielder Jason Holder, right, celebrates after taking the catch to dismiss England's Chris Woakes. AP
    West Indies fielder Jason Holder, right, celebrates after taking the catch to dismiss England's Chris Woakes. AP
  • England batsman Chris Woakes of England walks off the field after being dismissed by Kemar Roach for 19. AFP
    England batsman Chris Woakes of England walks off the field after being dismissed by Kemar Roach for 19. AFP
  • West Indies wiciketkeeper Joshua Da Silva celebrates taking the catch to dismiss England's Jack Leach for four. Reuters
    West Indies wiciketkeeper Joshua Da Silva celebrates taking the catch to dismiss England's Jack Leach for four. Reuters

Joe Root wants to continue as England captain despite humiliating Test defeat


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Joe Root maintains he wants to continue as captain despite England suffering a crushing defeat to the West Indies in the deciding third Test in Grenada.

Even before West Indies had secured the series 1-0, commentators were questioning whether Root would want to continue as skipper after five years in the role.

But Root was adamant about his position following the 10-wicket defeat. "I think I've made it quite clear how I feel about this team," he said.

"I'm very passionate. I feel I've got the support of the men behind me to take the team forward. That's not changed at all."

Earlier, former England bowler Steve Harmison suggested Root should step down.

"For his own sanity he needs to have a long think about what he does with his future," Harmison said.

Although one of the world's best batters, with a Test average of nearly 50, Root has rarely looked a natural leader and has earned a reputation as an unimaginative captain.

However, England interim coach Paul Collingwood insisted Root could stay in charge.

Collingwood said: “The one thing you do notice is that the team is together, they’re right behind Joe. If I was stood here and didn’t think that there would be a problem.

“Joe himself has got the determination to take this team forward and get results. The leadership doesn’t affect his batting, he’s still going out there and scoring the runs and still desperate to turn things around and desperate to make the team the best it can be, it’s as simple as that.”

On the pitch, it was another dark day for England as they ended their winless winter.

The result was a foregone conclusion when the teams emerged on the fourth morning, with the hosts putting their forlorn opponents out of their misery by sailing over the line by 10 wickets.

Set a paltry 28 to take the third Test and a 1-0 series win, they needed just 29 balls to continue their proud home record in this fixture.

Only once since 1968 has an England left the islands triumphant, but the wider problems are more stark and more immediate than that.

The bare facts are inescapable: one Test victory in 17 attempts and five series without success for the first time in their history.

There is a power vacuum at the top of the England and Wales Cricket Board, with no permanent chair, director of cricket or head coach. Whether there will be a vacancy as captain remains to be seen.

French business

France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.

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Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Ben Chilwell, Fabian Delph.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Harry Winks, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
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Rating: 4/5

Updated: March 27, 2022, 5:10 PM