BUMBLE AT THE TEST: Chris Woakes’ old tricks won’t stop this Test being his swansong

West Indies snuck ahead of England on day two of the decisive final Test in the Caribbean, taking a 28-run lead into Saturday with two wickets left.

Home wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva is the top scorer in the match currently, his 54 not out a superb resistance against the struggling England bowlers. 

Below, Sportsmail‘s DAVID LLOYD offers his thoughts and insights on the second day’s play of the third Test in Grenada.   

Chris Woakes (l) has bowled OK but this is likely his swansong as an England overseas bowler

Give the umpires a break 

The umpires have come in for some stick but there is a lot of pressure doing a home series and they are doing their best. 

The world and his mate always think they can do a better job. Well, there are umpiring courses all over the country – put your white coat on and have a go. And before you do it, get your eyes tested.

Windies batters come up short 

The West Indies batsmen got in an almighty tangle against the short ball but it wasn’t quick bowling and it’s not a quick pitch. I was dismayed. Why don’t they just have a cup of tea and get out of the way? 

They have got ample time and the percentages are against playing a shot because the bounce is unpredictable. It reminded me of Neil Wagner for New Zealand. He gets plenty of wickets with what you would have to call slow bouncers.

Saqib Mahmood would be in my Test team come the summer – and he’s a half decent batter too

Woakes up to old tricks 

Perseverance paid off for Chris Woakes. He was very indifferent with the new ball but he looked far more at home with the old ball. He bowled intelligently, varying his length and making the batsmen play. 

Everybody would tell you he is the nicest bloke in cricket. But I would still say this is his swansong overseas because of the queue of quicker bowlers.

Listen to me about Saqib 

Saqib Mahmood would be in my Test team come the summer. Down the years, I’ve always tried to stay away from giving my opinion to captains and coaches, but I very gently told the last regime that Mahmood’s main suit is the red ball, not the white ball.

I am also not surprised he scored runs because I’ve always thought he can bat. He can make a No 8 or No 9.

Poor old Parkinson 

I feel very sorry for Matt Parkinson. I have watched him loads and he is a bloody good bowler. But what is not doing him any good is carting drinks around all the time. 

I feel sorry for Matt Parkinson carrying the drinks – he’s a great bowler and would take wickets

He will be wondering ‘Why do they not fancy me? Why do they keep bringing me and not playing me?’. Variety is the spice of life and I firmly believe he would take wickets.

Respect your elders 

It is nice to see the England team presenting former players with gold pin badges, like Ben Stokes did with Aggers in Grenada. I think it’s a great idea. Right now, they are the custodians of Test match cricket for England.

It is a fantastic life playing cricket for your country and we all wish them well. But they are right not to forget the old ‘uns – we’ve got a bit of sense.

Everything changes 

Here’s a puzzler for you. Remember when Trigger from Only Fools and Horses said he’d had the same broom for 20 years even though he’d had 17 new heads and 14 new handles? 

Well, my lawn scarifier has just come back from Chris, who mends them. It’s had a new carburettor and a new engine. So is it the same scarifier? We’d have to ask Trigger.