West Indies v England cricket: third Test schedule, location, squads, UK time and TV Coverage

For the second time in the three Test series, England have drawn with the West Indies. It will now come down to the final Test for either side to claim a series win.

Out of 15 Test matches England played in 2021, they won just four.

It was one of England’s worst years in Test cricket, with Joe Root’s performances with the bat being one of the few redeeming features, consistently scoring half centuries, centuries and even double centuries.

Following a disastrous Ashes series, the new-look England team were hoping to score some decisive victories as they took on Kraigg Brathwaite’s side.

However, the flatness and dryness of the West Indian pitches have meant the two Tests became a batter’s heaven and bowler’s hell, with both teams being assured big first innings totals.

Zak Crawley retained his spot in the squad following his score of 77 in the fourth Ashes test . After his 2020 average of 10.31, Crawley was determined to move on and did so in style as he scored a stunning 121 from 206 balls in England’s second innings of the first Test against the West Indies.

Root was once more at hand to help and scored a century of his own ensuring that England came back from a first innings low - excluding Jonny Bairstow’s own beautiful 140.

The second Test arrived and England were once more raring to go. They had shown the doubters they could bat once again and were determined to push on, leaving the Ashes debacle far behind them.

Root scored his 25h Test century, while Ben Stokes returned to fine form with his own century. The England hero scored 120 runs off just 128 balls.

Unfortunately for England, West Indies ace Brathwaite couldn’t be budged and stuck around for 489 deliveries, steadied by Jermaine Blackwood. The pair scored 160 and 102 respectively.

The second innings saw Dan Lawrence- who had been agonisingly close to his first Test century in the first innings - and Crawley help England to an additional 186 runs before declaring, hoping to bowl out the West Indies before the close of play.

West Indies’ captain was not having any of this. Brathwaite dug in and survived 184 balls and scored a half century, despite some quality bowling by Jack Leach and England debutant Saqib Mahmood.

The second Test, perhaps inevitably, ended in another draw.

What this will mean, is that the final Test should be even more thrilling, with both sides desperate to score a series win and, with everything to play for, Root and Brathwaite will go head to head once more.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the third and final Test between West Indies and England…

When is the third Test?

The third Test will begin on Thursday 24 March 2022 and will conclude on Monday 28 March 2022.

Where is the third Test being played?

England will travel to Grenada to play the final Test at the National Cricket Stadium, St George’s.

The last Test match that was played at this ground was between the West Indies and England, and England won by nine wickets.

What are the third Test match timings?

Play will begin at 2pm GMT every day unless rain delays play. This will mean the end of play is likely to be called between 9pm and 10pm GMT depending on light and the number of overs.

How to watch the third Test Match

The third Test match is available to watch on BT Sport. A monthly pass can be purchased for BT Sport at a cost of £25.

What is the weather forecast for Grenada?

The weather is expected to reach highs of 30℃ over the five days with the sun shining each day.

Friday may see strong winds while the other days will have a fresh breeze.

Squads

The squads have not yet been announced for the final Test but, unless there are new injury concerns, it is unlikely either team will change their current lineup.

If Ollie Robinson is deemed fit enough to play, he may well replace Chris Woakes in the bowling lineup.

Alternatively, given the conditions, England could opt to hand a Test debut to leg-spin bowler Matt Parkinson.

England: Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (c), Dan Lawrence, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes, Ollie Robinson, Matt Fisher, Saqib Mahmood, Jack Leach.

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), John Campbell, Shamah Brooks, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Veerasammy Permaul, Jayden Seales

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