1st Test, Preview: New era for cricket as England-West Indies series begins
Cricket | July 07, 2020 23:38 ISTIt’s clear the match being staged at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton is about much more than just cricket.
It’s clear the match being staged at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton is about much more than just cricket.
This implies that Zak Crawley will have to make his way for Root's inclusion in the second Test against West Indies
The Windies will lock horns against England in a three-Test series starting Wednesday at the Ageas Bowl, and it will mark the resumption of cricket after the sport was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ECB had earlier last week confirmed that just like their Windies counterpart, they too will carry the Black Lives Matter logo on their jerseys on July 8
Stokes will be leading England in the first Test after Root left the bio-secure bubble in Southampton for Sheffield, to be with his wife, who is expecting their second child.
Stokes said that is his awaiting that special moment, while adding that he would rather want to focus on the game than get carried away by the excitement.
ICC welcome the resumption of international cricket on the eve of England hosting the West Indies in a three-Test #raisethebat series
Stokes was named as England's stand-in captain after Root left the bio-secure bubble and returned to Sheffield for the birth of his second child
England have five pacers in their squad but only three will be making it to the playing XI with spinner Dominic Bess being the other bowling option.
Bowlers won't be able to use saliva on match balls, players will have to refrain from celebrating together and the stadium will be devoid of fans.
West Indies coach Phil Simmons has said that the first Test will be a battle between all-rounders Jason Holder and Ben Stokes.
West Indies legend Brian Lara said that Jason Holder's men will have to ensure the match doesn't go to day five to stand a chance of victory against England.
Earlier, Windies pacer Kemar Roach opined that some noise would be better than no noise at stadiums during the matches which on better times would have witnessed a packed crowd
West Indies are the defending champions of the contest having scripted an impressive 2-1 win at home in early 2019 but will be looking to bag their first series win in England since 1988.
Chris Woakes despite his good show in the intra-squad warm-up game is likely to miss out in the Ageas Bowl game.
Among the notable retention made by the ECB in announcing their pace-heavy 13-man squad and nine reserves for the West Indies opener is Joe Denly.
Both Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali were overlooked as ECB announced 13-man squad for Windies opener
The first Test at the Ageas Bowl will mark the resumption of cricket after the match was suspended in March due to coronavirus pandemic.
Thirty-four-year-old Denly is expected to cover for regular Test skipper Joe Root in the series opener, who left the bio-secure bubble and returned to Sheffield to be at the birth of his second child.
Stokes will be temporarily filling in for regular Test skipper Joe Root and Hussain feels it will be too much on Stokes' shoulders if he takes over the role full time.
Top News
Latest News