Joe Root's heartwarming gesture to son Alfie after England century vs West Indies

England captain Joe Root celebrated his 24th Test match century by kissing a necklace that was made for him by his son.

Root has two children with his wife Carrie, a son named Alfie and a daughter named Isabella.

And after another century for England, Root produced the heartwarming gesture for his son - with Alfie reportedly making the necklace for his dad before England flew out to the Caribbean for their three-Test series against the West Indies.

After England lost 4-0 to Australia in the Ashes, Root made the decision to move up the order from number four and start batting at number three.

Joe Root scored an excellent century in England's first Test against the West Indies and he celebrated by kissing a necklace his son Alfie made for him (Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Root has previously been reluctant to do so and, before this Test, it was the only position he has batted in Test cricket where he averages less than 40.

However, in the second innings in Antigua, Root scored an excellent hundred at number three and England will be hoping it is the first of many in his new role.

The innings also saw Root break several milestones in the process, with the 31-year-old going past Kevin Pietersen and up to second on the list of England centurions.

It was also his 13th hundred as skipper, overtaking Sir Alastair Cook's record of 12 and meaning no other player has scored more centuries as England captain.

Speaking before the series, Root explained why he had felt the time was right to start batting at number three after previously being against the idea of a promotion up the order.

"I've expressed in the past that I prefer batting at four but I'm ready to take on three now," Root told reporters.

"I feel I'm very comfortable in the way I've been playing and performing over the last year or so, and I think it's the right fit for this team.

"To go and bat slightly higher up and, if we do lose an early wicket, support the openers, show a bit of leadership and responsibility and take the game on.

"Hopefully lay a bit of a platform to bat around."

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