The third Test match between the West Indies and England will begin at the National Cricket Stadium in St. George’s, Grenada, on Thursday, 24 March.
The slow nature of the pitches has had a major impact on the series. In the first Test match, in Antigua, the pitch offered no help to bowlers of any kind. After the first half of the match, the ball lost ascendancy to the bat and never regained it.
It was much the same story in Barbados, barring England's brief hope of snatching a win on the final day. Captain Joe Root later admitting that he could have been bolder with his declaration.
The cricket has largely been attritional, apart from one brilliant Ben Stokes innings. The West Indies, in particular, have showed a willingness to bat all day if given the chance, especially Nkrumah Bonner in Antigua and Kraigg Brathwaite in both matches. Getting both of them out can be the key to England winning this match.
England went into the second Test match with an inexperienced bowling attack, but debutants Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Fisher did well enough to merit a second chance. One man whose place may be under threat is Chris Woakes, who was used less by Root than any other frontline bowler and was not a major threat to the batters. Ollie Robinson and Craig Overton, ill for the last match, are be in line to replace him.
However, if the ground staff produce another bat-friendly pitch, Root may opt for a second spinner to partner Jack Leach, with Matt Parkinson potentially in line for a first cap.
Grenada is known as the Spice Island but whether the cricket matches that description may depend on the pitch.
Fantasy Tips:
• Another slow pitch, so rely more on batters.
• England to struggle to dismiss Braithwaite early, and he will grind his way to another big score for his side;
• Root to make another contribution with the bat for his side.
Likely Teams:
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), John Campbell, Shamarh Brooks, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Veerasammy Permaul, Jayden Seales.
England: Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (c), Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes (wk), Ollie Robinson, Matthew Fisher, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood.