text: 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 don't really preach. We always make sure that we tell the guys to keep it clean, and keep it within a certain range, and don'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 doesn'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 .
target: Ben Stokes holed out in the deep for eight on day three in Grenada .
  As Stokes left the field, Marlon Samuels 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 .