PLAYER RATINGS: Kraigg Brathwaite's resilience only rivalled by brilliant Ben Stokes

The Cricketer looks at the individual performances from the drawn second Test at Kensington Oval

WEST INDIES

Kraigg Brathwaite (160 & 56*; 1-59 & 0-5): Led from the front once again, facing the most balls of any West Indies batter past or present in a Test. Is the reliable figure at the top of the order the red-ball team have been crying out for. 9 

John Campbell (4 & 10): Two problematic innings, mainly due to the fact they came across just 24 combined balls. Keeps his place for Grenada, but this recall hasn't gone as would have been hoped. 3

Shamarh Brooks (39 & 4): Really ugly shot ended first-innings knock off a loose delivery from Leach. Going forward, a batting order reshuffle might be on the cards. 4

Nkrumah Bonner (9 & 3; 0-3 & DNB): From being virtually unbreakable in Antigua, England got him cheaply twice but were unable to secure victory. They may rue the missed opportunity. 2

Jermaine Blackwood (102 & 27): Went to a third Test century but it wasn't without several close shaves. Still not overly convincing but you can't deny he didn't take his chance. 7.5

Jason Holder (12 & 0; 1-76 & 0-40): A poor match in all from the former captain, whose lazy second-innings shot almost opened the floodgates. 3

^{Joshua da Silva (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)}

Joshua Da Silva (33 & 30): Another tough nut to crack in a stubborn middle-order. Three scores in the 30s and 263 balls faced in as many innings is a valuable contribution. 7

Alzarri Joseph (19 & DNB; 1-109 & 1-45): Another uncertain performance with the ball. Lacked consistency and England took him to the sword on day two. 3

Kemar Roach (1 & DNB; 2-68 & 1-31): Another seamer to struggle on a placid pitch. Went clear of Sir Garfield Sobers in the Windies wicket-taking list, but the positives ended there. 4

Veersammy Permaul (5 & DNB; 1-126 & 2-29): Looked below the standard required when Stokes started to catch fire but improved when the strip began to tire. 4

Jayden Seales (5 & DNB; 1-55 & 2-34): Picked up Crawley in the first innings for a second time and this was another encouraging outing for the youngster. That said, he was unable to put a stop to the flow of runs as England put the hammer down. 6

Dan Lawrence hammers the ball away (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

ENGLAND

Alex Lees (30 & 24): Better from the Durham opener in his second Test. Took 138 balls and scrapped on a tough surface on day one, allowing his teammates to take advantage. 6

Zak Crawley (0 & 40): Undone by the Seales-Da Silva axis again in the first innings. Was able to play with freedom second time around. 5.5

Joe Root (153 & 9; 0-17 & 0-15): A 25th Test century and second in a row for the England captain, who very much played a supporting role alongside Stokes. Credit must go to him again for trying to force a day five victory, even if both declarations could have come earlier. 8.5

Dan Lawrence (91 & 41; 1-21 & 0-36): Two brilliantly entertaining and expansive innings, which proved crucial in moving the game along, point towards an exciting future in that England middle-order. Great to watch with the ball, but you wonder how another front-line spinner would have fared. 7

Ben Stokes (120 & 19; 2-65 & 0-9): For an hour or so the second morning, Stokes produced the most sparkling period of the series. His first Test century since the summer of 2020. Might face action for Blackwood confrontation. 8.5

^{Matthew Fisher celebrates his maiden international wicket (Randy Brooks/Getty Images)}

Jonny Bairstow (20 & 29): Given the role of virtual pinch-hitter down the order after much of the work had been done. A quiet Test in fairness after his Antigua hundred. 5

Ben Foakes (33 & 11): The Surrey keeper would probably agree this hasn't been his finest series with the gloves. Missed the stumping of Blackwood in the first innings. Remains more than useful batting with the lower order. 6.5

Chris Woakes (41 & 9; 1-51 & 0-11): Injury elsewhere ensures he might stay on for the third Test but this feels like the autumn of Woakes's Test career, away from home at least. Simply hasn't delivered as a wicket-taker and seems to have lost Root's trust. 3

Matthew Fisher (0* & DNB; 1-67 & 0-4): Made Campbell his maiden international victim and can be content with how his debut went, even if the benign conditions weren't to his liking. 5

Jack Leach (4 & DNB; 3-118 & 3-36): An enduring presence of the England bowling effort. His 69.5 overs in the first innings were the 10th most delivered by an England bowler. Not always of the best quality, but there was no doubting his heart and spirit. 6.5

Saqib Mahmood (DNB & DNB; 2-58 & 2-21): The pick of the seamers after being thrust into the playing XI at the 11th hour to cover for Craig Overton. Showed why he has an encouraging red-ball career ahead of him. 6.5

Related Topics

• Joe Root deserves credit for trying to force result
• West Indies hold off England charge as second Test is drawn
• Joe Root rues cautious declaration but remains encouraged by England's progress
• Grenada series decider is not the fascinating prospect it should be