Marlon Samuels found a novel way of carrying on his duel in the second Test with Ben Stokes here on Thursday night when he sent him on his way with a military-style salute . Stokes had given his wicket away just before the close of the third day when he smashed a Devendra Bishoo long-hop straight to deep square leg and Samuels wasted no time in pouring salt on his wounds , saluting him on his way . The Durham all-rounder muttered under his breath as he walked past Samuels before England closed on 373 for six , a lead of 74 , thanks to an outstanding unbeaten 118 from the prolific Joe Root . Ben Stokes ( left ) gives Marlon Samuels a stare as the West Indian gives him a send-off salute on Thursday . Stokes looks at Samuels as the cheeky centurion stands at attention with his hat on his check for the send-off . And West Indies great Curtly Ambrose , now the bowling coach , insisted afterwards that the eccentric Samuels was just having a bit of fun . ‘ I didn ’ t really see it , but there ’ s nothing wrong with a little banter in international cricket , ’ said Ambrose . ‘ As long as it doesn ’ t go over the top I ’ m fine with it . I think it ’ s more friendly . He gave a salute ? Is that a sign of respect , I don ’ t know . 'That 's something that we do n't really preach . We always make sure that we tell the guys to keep it clean , and keep it within a certain range , and do n't go over the top . 'International cricket is hard , and they must find ways to relax themselves , and smiling is one of those things . As much as we 're working hard and want to win , you must have some fun doing it . You 've got to enjoy what you are doing . ‘ I ’ m hoping it was light-hearted because we always make sure we tell the guys to keep it clean and don ’ t go over the top . I don ’ t think Marlon meant anything by it . You have to find ways to relax and have fun. ’ The gesture was seen as good 'banter ' by Geoffrey Boycott in commentary for BBC 's Test Match Special . Boycott said : 'The Samuels salute was all right because it is banter and fun . It is not punishable — it was funny . ' Stokes does n't get a full piece of an innocuous delivery from Bishoo and skies his shot into the outfield . Stokes looks on in hope as the ball floats into the safe hands of Blackwood , who took his second catch . After the pair clashed in Windies ' first innings while Samuels got 103 , the all-rounder gave Stokes a slaute . Graeme Swann said immediately after the day 's play that while not the biggest fan of Samuels the gesture made him laugh . 'He can be an absolute tool sometimes but I have to admit Marlon Samuels just made me laugh tea out of my nose with his saluting send off , ' Swann wrote on Twitter . 'Heavy money on @ benstokes38 getting Marlon out in the 2nd dig . Eng should line up a guard of honour for him . Love to see humour on the field . ' Joe Root celebrates reaching his century during a short partnership with Stokes . Alastair Cook was unable to reach an elusive century after dragging Shannon Gabriel on for 76 .
Ben Stokes holed out in the deep for eight on day three in Grenada . As Stokes left the field , West Indies stood and saluted his foe . Curtly Ambrose said : 'There 's nothing wrong with a little bantering ' Graeme Swann said the salute made him 'laugh tea out of my nose ' England lead by 74 runs at stumps on day three in St George 's .