Samuels gives Stokes unique send-off

West Indies allrounder Marlon Samuels provided a new twist to his feud with Ben Stokes when he stood to attention and saluted his English rival off the pitch on Thursday.

Samuels stood upright and mockingly raised his right hand to his forehead as Stokes walked past him after being dismissed for just eight on the third day of the second Test.

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The incident attracted plenty of attention on social media, with even Stokes making a not so subtle reference to it.

Stokes and Samuels have been at each other's throats over the course of the match.

The West Indies player made a century in the first innings and claimed the verbal exchanges with several England players, notably Stokes, spurred him on to his three-figure score.

James Anderson had given Samuels a verbal send-off upon his dismissal, while Stokes engaged in several exchanges during his innings.

"It's obvious the English boys don't learn because whenever they talk to me I continue scoring runs," Samuels said.

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Stokes is spoken to by the umpires during Samuels's innings // Getty

"I guess they can't help it. I kept on telling him (Stokes) that but I probably have to tell him something different because he's not listening.

"He keeps talking to me but it keeps me motivated and keeps me batting."

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Tempers flared again during Stokes's short stay at the crease on day three when Samuels firmly threw a ball in the direction of the Englishman and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, which Stokes intercepted and threw back at Samuels.

He was dismissed a short time later when he pulled a delivery from Devendra Bishoo straight to the man and deep mid-wicket.

Samuels received support from West Indies bowling coach Sir Curtley Ambrose, who didn't see the incident but stressed there was nothing wrong with some good-natured by-play between players.

"I didn’t really see it, so I can’t really comment on it. But, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of banter," Ambrose said.

"This is international cricket, so as long as it doesn’t go over the top, I’m quite fine with it.

"I think it’s more friendly than anything else, in my opinion.

"But I didn’t really see the sending off so I can’t comment."

When asked about the meaning of the salute, Ambrose replied: "Well ... is that (a salute) a sign of respect? I don’t know.

"There’s nothing wrong with a bit of banter and a bit of talking and stuff; that’s international cricket.

"But 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.

"I don’t think Marlon really meant anything by it."