Joe Root could captain England until he is 40 and never emerge with as much credit as he will receive here after an emphatic victory where he has salvaged pride for his side and done wonders for cricket’s all too often tarnished image.
It will be the 232-run final Test win, completed within four days on Tuesday, and his 16th Test century that did so much to set it up, Root will want to concentrate on at the end of a series England lost in seven horrific days in Barbados and St Lucia.
Yet for the cricket world and all those outside it who flocked to praise Root it will be his spontaneous response to what were clearly inappropriate comments from Shannon Gabriel on the third evening that will be a big part of the England captain’s legacy.
Ben Stokes took the final two wickets as England finally saw off the West Indies tail on day four
Moeen Ali celebrates with Jimmy Anderson after taking three wickets on day four
Roston Chase takes the applause of the crowd after reaching a half-century on day four
England celebrate the wicket of Shane Dowrich, caught by Ben Stokes in his armpit
The ICC have for once shown decisive leadership by charging Gabriel but it does not reflect well that their inclination at the end of the third day appeared to be to brush the whole sorry business under the carpet.
It was only when St Lucia woke up to widespread praise for Root and condemnation for the intrusion of homophobia into Test cricket that the umpires and the match referee seemed to wake up to the need to handle this unsavoury incident with the seriousness it deserved.
And let us get one thing clear. There is no excuse for Gabriel to use a term that rightly has no place in modern language.
This cannot be put down to cultural differences nor the unacceptable reality that homosexuality is still illegal in St Lucia and other parts of the Caribbean.
That only increases the need for West Indian cricketers, who play all around the world, to be aware of their wider responsibilities as role models.
Jonny Bairstow removes the bails and the stumps as Shimron Hetmyer is run out after lunch
Mark Wood celebrates after taking his sixth wicket of the match as England marched to victory
Jimmy Anderson ripped through the West Indies top order with three wickets before lunch
All of which should not concern Root. He has handled himself impeccably and done more than his bit to portray cricket in the best possible light here as well as guide his side to a
