David Lloyd tells England and West Indies players to ‘protest’ over ‘dead’ pitches after another draw in the Caribbean

David Lloyd says England and West Indies players could resort to ‘protesting’ over ‘dead’ pitches after the second Test in Barbados ended in a draw.

Windies captain Kraigg Brathwaite scored an 11-hour 160 in the first innings and survived 184 balls for 56 not out on the final day to frustrate England.

England declared on 507-9 in their first innings, with Joe Root making 153, Ben Stokes scoring his 11th Test hundred and Dan Lawrence hitting 91, but West Indies avoided the follow-on and batted for 188 overs themselves as Braithwaite and Jermaine Blackwood both reached three figures.

The tourists attempted to set up a final-day win but West Indies held on for a fairly comfortable draw as the series remained 0-0 heading into the final Test in Grenada.

Bat also dominated ball in the drawn opening Test in Antigua and former England coach Lloyd says the ‘dead’ pitches in the Caribbean have been ‘farcical’ and a blow to ‘broadcasters, players and supporters’.

‘Officials in Grenada should do right by the players and make the final Test a contest,’ Lloyd told the Daily Mail.

‘If not both sides should protest. Bowlers should bowl with the wrong hand and batters bat the wrong way around.

‘The game would be in disrepute but that is how farcical this week has been.

‘I don’t know who presides over the preparation of these pitches but this is the second in recent weeks to have proved inadequate. 

‘Like this one, the Rawalpindi pitch for the opening Test between Pakistan and Australia was as dead as a door nail.

‘Who likes this sort of cricket? Broadcasters don’t, players don’t, supporters don’t. I’ve had half a dozen people contact me to tell me they’re not watching.’

Another draw for England means Root’s side have now won just one of their last