6.10pm: Are you not entertained? Another slow-burn Test that kept some fizzle and spark (pretty much) to the end. Brathwaite almost single-handedly dampened England expectations with a couple of mighty captain’s knocks, and that leaves the series poised going to St George’s. After two attritional surfaces, you’d think both attacks will hoping for a powder keg to finish on… there hasn’t been a three-Test series drawn 0-0 since 2012-13 (England in New Zealand, yes, I was doing ball-by-ball), so let’s hope something gives one way or another. Anyway, for now, from myself and Matt, as well as Miller, Valkerie, Thilak and Ranjit, thanks for keeping us company and we’ll be back again for more in a few days. Cheerio!
5.58pm: Time for the presentations at Kensington Oval, starting with Joe Root: “Yeah, I think we picked off where we finished last week. We showed a lot of progression as a batting group, pleasing to make a substantial first-innings total for the first time in a long time. Hopefully we can replicate it again and again. [Lawrence] He’s been wonderful, one of the most pleasing things is how selfless he’s been, again coming out this morning to try and get as many as we could. The way he played in the first innings was excellent and he seems to be growing in confidence. [Hundred] Won’t be long if he keeps playing like that. [Mahmood and Fisher] They were brilliant, two surfaces haven’t been the most receptive for seamers, hasn’t been much to work with but showed great skill and commitment. Great to see their faces when they got their first wickets. [Declaration] Tricky one, trying to weigh it up. How small the ground was and how strong the wind was, you don’t want someone to come off and give them too many overs. Kraigg played brilliantly and we needed to make an impact with the new ball, just a shame we couldn’t kick on. Credit to the West Indies, should be a brilliant final Test. [Parkinson in Grenada?] Have to see what pitch we get and then work out the best way of taking 20 wickets. Pleasing to see Jack playing the way he is, bowling with control and looking threatening. Great to see him finding his feet and looking comfortable at this level.”
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite is also, unsurprisingly, Player of the Match: “Feeling quite good, I thought England played well. Want to thank the West Indies supporters for coming out. I enjoyed it, the pitch was at times with the harder ball difficult to bat on, but stuck to my plans of playing straight and as late at possible. [Flat surfaces, Grenada?] Like to see something in it for the pacers, we want a result in the last Test. We have to see what they produce in Grenada. [Most balls faced for WI] That’s amazing to hear, put in a lot of work over the years. To do it at home, with my family here was pleasing, I’m very thankful. [Team support] Tremendous effort, Jermaine [Blackwood] came out and had the right attitude. England bowled well, but it was good as a team, after they put up 500, we put up 400. And then today, fighting to the end, that’s what we want. [Could be more expansive?] In periods we could, but the start is spending time at the crease and batting, learning as quick as possible on the job.”
And with that, Joe Root gives a little nod, holds out a hand to his opposite number – and the match is drawn, West Indies seeing out the final day, amid plenty of drama, after another magnificent performance from Kraigg Brathwaite. He has faced more deliveries in this Test than any other West Indian in history, and almost made it into the top ten overall. Without his efforts, you’d think England might well have overcome both the hosts and another unyielding pitch. Instead, it’s 0-0 with one to play, the final Test beginning in Grenada on Thursday
Here’s Jamie: “Leach’s fourth innings average continues to improve after a defensive performance from the WI but unfortunately I’d say a strike rate of 50 isn’t good enough when you’re looking to wrestle the game away from a draw, especially as there was reasonable amounts of turn. Parkinson in the next game please… “
Ghaffar: “Kraigg Rahul Brathwaite Dravid”
Sidd: “Surely Brathwaite for MoM?”
“And all the people ahead of Kraigg B in that Balls Faced table were from the last millennium when the world was different.” Think he’s second this century, behind Stephen Fleming in Colombo, Cartoft