ENG vs WI: 1st Test Preview – Cricket returns after grim break

The year is 2020 but the cricketing world is awaiting a Test match anxiously. After a gap of almost four months, international cricket is set to resume after facing one of the most daunting challenges in its history. With the coronavirus pandemic still active, there were numerous obstacles in the path, however, England and West Indies are all set to overcome them today in Southampton. Two of the top all-rounders in Test cricket, Ben Stokes and Jason Holder will lead their sides to mark the resumption of the sport which we all love and adore.

Also read: Covid-19 Substitutes in Tests, additional DRS among interim changes approved by ICC

Match Info

England vs West Indies: 1st Test – 8th to 12th July

The Rose Bowl, Southampton (03:30 PM IST)

While cricket will conquer the coronavirus to get back on the field, it still faces the threat of it’s greatest nemesis – the rain. The weather forecast predicts 55% chances of rain which are likely to cause interference.

Head to head:

Key facts to look out for:

Team News

England:

The hosts do have a few problems to resolve. Their best Test batsman from the current lot, Joe Root will be missing this Test for personal reasons. Ben Stokes will lead the side for the first time. Root’s absence exposes the lack of experience in the current batting order. The top order of Zak Crawley, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly and Ollie Pope have a combined experience of 31 Tests. It will be up to Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler to carry this batting line-up.

The bowling attack has a problem of plenty. James Anderson and Jofra Archer are sure starters. However, England may look to adopt the extra pace of Mark Wood in place of Stuart Broad. Keeping out a bowler with 485 Test wickets to his credit will be a difficult decision to take for them.

West Indies:

West Indies have slowly and steadily built a competitive Test side which is not influenced by the glittering world of T20 cricket. They have two world-class batsmen in Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope. John Campbell and Roston Chase will be the supporting batsmen. Shamarh Brooks and Jermaine Blackwood will be out to impress the selectors. Both captain Holder and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich are capable batsmen in the lower order. Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph are likely to form a threatening three-pronged pace attack with Chase as the only spinner.

Probable XI