And here is Ali’s report of the final day:
Honours even
Well there we go, a hard fought draw - five long days in the dirt for both sides and in the end they couldn’t be separated. Proper Test criggit. Both sides will fancy their chances of sneaking a series win over the other if the surfaces in Barbados and Grenada have a bit more life in them.
England have problems in the bowling department though. Mark Wood is likely to be ruled out of at least the next game and maybe the whole tour. Ollie Robinson has been spied bowling in the nets but it will be a push for him to be fit to play a Test match in just a few days time. It was painful to watch Stokes running in for over after over at the end there, especially as there was nothing to be gained. Even if Stokes wanted to do it (which he no doubt did) Root has to be strong enough to say no to his talisman, especially when he’s fresh off a side strain... You’d think Saqib Mahmood and the lesser/never spotted Matt Parkinson should be in with a shout of a start in the remaining two matches.
Ali’s match report will be working its way over from Antigua any moment now.
Thanks for your comments and company over the last five days, the OBO community are a special thing. That’s me signing off, schmaltzily, for the night - must be hungry. Take care and we’ll see you for the next game.
Goodnight!
