Joe Root says his 182 not out “feels a lot better”, coming in an England victory.
A day earlier when a draw seemed the most likely result Root reserved judgement on his first overseas Test hundred, but after West Indies were amazingly defeated he was more positive about it.
Indeed, the 24-year-old, who blogs exclusively for ecb.co.uk, was named man of the match for his splendid innings that set up a nine-wicket success in Grenada.
It was England’s first overseas Test triumph that he has been involved in at the 10th attempt for Root, who made his debut in the game after their previous foreign-soil victory in late 2012.
Speaking exclusively to ecb.co.uk, Root reflected: “It obviously feels a lot better now. I thought for a time that we might have just botched it [the match] up a little bit.
Man of the Match is Joe Root! An incredible contribution to a brilliant victory #WIvEngpic.twitter.com/QIny7n8WDA
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) April 25, 2015
“To be involved in any Test match win is really special. It’s my first away from home and I’m looking forward to celebrating with the lads tonight.”
The Windies’ collapse from 202 for two overnight to 307 all out meant England needed 143 for victory.
Jonathan Trott fell early in the chase but Alastair Cook and Gary Ballance, with their second fifties of the Test, shared an unbroken 142 to ease the tourists to the target.
Cook’s initial half-century came in his first three-figure opening stand with Trott, which laid the platform for Root’s big ton.
“The way that we set the tone in the first innings with Trotty and Cooky, they were brilliant up front,” Root added.
“And then for Gaz [Ballance] to come in and play the way he did in both innings and finish the job off with Cooky there at the end was fantastic.
“And it just shows the hunger there is in that dressing room to win games of cricket and to score lots of runs.”
England’s pursuit was made possible by the excellence of James Anderson, whose three new-ball wickets, two catches and a quick-thinking run-out turned the game on its head.
On England’s leading Test wicket-taker, Root said: “He’s showed time and time again why he’s so important to this team.
“Today is just another reflection on that. He’s a great bloke to have in the dressing room. He’s obviously a record-breaker.
“I’m sure more than anything he’ll be celebrating with all of us tonight.”