Hmmm, I'm told by my gaffer that this live text isn't updating and hasn't for about 20 minutes. So, in effect, what I'm typing now won't be read for quite some time. I really am talking to myself. It's a reflection of the state of this game. I'll plough on regardless, because I'm used to speaking without anyone taking notice - ask my girlfriend. Oooofff, poor from England, as a short single from Samuels comes with a shy at the sumps that is not backed up. Four overthrows. Buzzers!

Root still round the wicket, Samuels not too sure whether to play or let the ball cannon into his pads. The leg side is packed, with Marlon looking less comfortable than when he is allowed to free his arms through the off side. Rapid maiden from Root.

I thought it would be spin from both ends, but instead it's the pace of Chris Jordan. It shows what a poor match Moeen Ali has had when Joe Root is asked to bowl in front of him. I wonder what Mo thinks about that. Anyway, Jordan with only a gully but plenty of catchers in front of the bat. The bustling Jordan angles the ball into Samuels' pads and it picked off, with Brathwaite then tickling another leggy ball fine for four. Feels like the phoney war before the new ball. Due in three.

China Dave: If England are to have a chance here they need to have WI 5 down by lunch. Dull pitch but all results still possible!

Root delivers his off-breaks from round the wicket, starting with a horrible long hop that Brathwaite pulls for four. Jerusalem from the Barmies - do they ever forget? England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler is now wearing a helmet that has an England badge on the front. Where's that come from? There's been no sign of the Three Lions so far in this match.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"With the new ball Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad will have to take wickets and try to put a bit of panic into the batsmen. But with eight wickets in hand on this pitch you would be very disappointed to lose. I don't think West Indies can win, whereas England can, so the bowlers should look to pressure the batsmen."

There are 98 overs scheduled for the day, with the final 15 constituting the 'last hour'. That is when the captains can agree a draw if they wish. So, there's at least 83 overs to come. The sunglasses of Joe Root will bowl the first over of the day, he'll have a little work before the new ball. Brathwaite on strike.

There's no sign of the rain that disrupted us earlier in the match, the sun in shining as Alastair Cook leads his weary bowlers out on to the billiard-table outfield. Cook gathers his men for a huddle, asking for a last push, with the West Indies batsmen stretching as they wander past.

BBC Radio Test Match Special

And, even if it does turn out to be a snoozefest, you can guarantee that Test Match Special will keep you entertained. You can listen to Aggers and co here online, on Radio 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 longwave or via the various BBC apps.

So what do you reckon? Final-day thriller, or dour draw? Can England force the issue, or have they been hamstrung by conservative selection? Also, tell me what other things ain't what they used to be. The price of a pint of lager for a start. Text 81111, tweet using the hashtag #bbccricket,, external or email tms@bbc.co.uk.

You sense that England's final chance of pushing for a first overseas Test win since 2012 will come with the second new ball, which is due in five overs. If the Windies come through that unscathed, they are liked to be home and hosed, perhaps with the chance to put England in for a tricky hour or two later on.

Despite a wholehearted effort on day four, England struggled to make inroads into the home batting, which wiped out the tourists' sizeable first-innings advantage. Their efforts were thwarted by a combination of Windian resistance, a docile deck and an attack of no variety.

The fifth day begins with West Indies 202-2, 37 ahead. Kraigg Brathwaite has an unbeaten hundred to his name, while English favourite Marlon Samuels has 22.

No more. On pitches as cooperative as a hormonal teenager, Test matches in the West Indies have become turgid wars of attrition, more Kolkata than Kingston.

Which brings us to the fifth day of the second Test between the Windies and England in Grenada. I could give it the hard sell, but that would be insulting your intelligence. We are unlikely to have a thriller.

Cricket in the Caribbean once was electrified with a dangerous excitement. Danger for the terrified visiting batsmen, excitement from a battery of fast bowlers whistling leather past noses. The home willow-wilders brought flair too, all one-legged pulls, whips through mid-wicket and flourishing cover drives.

Image source, Getty Images

There are plenty of things in life that ain't what they used to be. Tiger Woods. The size of a Mars bar. Liverpool FC.

And Test matches in the West Indies.