International cricket will have to wait a bit longer to resume following the coronavirus outbreak after the start of play in the first test between England and West Indies was delayed because of light rain today.
England and West Indies players took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before the start of play in the first Test at Ageas Bowl Southampton.
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bat first Rain and wet outfield had forced the umpires to call for an early lunch.
DAY 1: ENGLAND 35/1 in 17.4 overs
Joe Denly – 14*(48),
Rory Burns – 20*(55);
Shannon Gabriel – 1/19(5)
Due to Pandemic no international matches has been played anywhere in the world.
The circumstances will be unusual with the COVID-19 pandemic meaning no fans will be present in the bio-secure environment — the only sounds being the thump of leather on willow, the chit-chat between the players and some piped-in crowd effects. Once the strangeness of the ‘new-normal’ sinks in, however, an intriguing series looks on the cards between the sides ranked fourth and eighth on the ICC’s Test list.
Total matches: 159
England won: 49
West Indies won: 57
Draw: 51
Abandoned: 1
Cancelled: 1
The overall head-to-head statistics shows West Indies has an upper hand. However, in the recent past the England cricket team has emerged as a tough side to beat in its own backyard.
It will also be a milestone in the career of England’s talisman Ben Stokes as he captains the side for the first time.
Playing 11 of both teams-
West Indies playing 11:
John Campbell, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder (capt), Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel
England playing 11:
Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly, Zak Crawley, Ben Stokes(c), Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(w), Dominic Bess, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, James Anderson
England closed on 35/1 with Sibley dismissed for a duck by Gabriel. 98 overs will be bowled on each day for the rest of the Test.