Cricket, like almost all other sports, has been waiting on the sidelines throughout the spring and early summer. In July, however, cricket will make its long-awaited comeback with the West Indies making what might prove to be a historic trip to England for a three-test series. The series marks the return of cricket and is of particular interest given all of the moving parts involved.
With the first test set to start on July 8, the Windies team arrived in Manchester, England, from Antigua on June 9, leading to the start of their training regime on June 11. Coming in as the 2-1 champions following the Wisden Trophy series in the Caribbean in early 2019, and with World Test Championship points on the line, there’s no doubt that the Windies have come to win. There will certainly be a lot of intrigue from around the world surrounding the adapted format of competing in the month-long tournament, especially as so much first-class cricket has been missed.
Change of venues, change of dates:
The three-test series was originally penned for June 4 to June 29, with tests taking place at The Oval, Edgbaston, and Lord’s Cricket Ground. The tests will now take place from July 8 at the Ageas Bowl to July 12. The second test sees the series move from the south coast to up north with the July 16 and July 24 starting tests taking place at the Emirates Old Trafford.
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Playing tests back-to-back in Manchester might prove to be a welcomed move for the Windies, with them being given extra time to get to grips with the ground. Regardless of the venues, the England vs. West Indies test series marks the first step back to competition for cricket and a massive leap for sport.
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— Neo Prime Sports (@Neoprimesports) June 11, 2020
Due to the length of the series, both in terms of days played and time on the field, the battle for the Wisden Trophy will need to set an example for other sports, showing the correct way to go about competing even in this most extreme format.
It’s time for some cricket:
Both teams have been in training in the run-in to this momentous test series, with the Windies team practicing in England and the ECB telling its 55-man selection to get back to training at the end of May. Among the vast selection at England’s match-ready group are two of their best-ever bowlers in Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, along with some newcomers like Ollie Robinson, Dan Lawrence, and Amar Virdi. Others like Jofra Archer Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, and Jos Buttler, add in to forge a formidable and well-rested England side.
The West Indies traveled with quite the unit themselves, with 14 first-choice players and 11 traveling reserves coming over to England. The first-choice selection features the likes of Jason Holder, Kraigg Brathwaite, Kemar Roach, and Shai Hope, but there are three distinct absentees from the team who didn’t travel: Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, and Keemo Paul.
WISDEN TROPHY MATCH SCHEDULE:
July 8-12: 1st Test Match at Ageas Bowl, Southampton
July 16-20: 2nd Test Match at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
July 24-28: 3rd Test Match at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester— Tahir khan (@imtahirkhan81) June 9, 2020
These absentees appear to have swung a bit of the favor from the defending Wisden Trophy champions in the eyes of India’s cricket experts, with the most trusted and betted Indian betting site having the Windies at +625 to win the first test and England ahead at -400. While the West Indies don’t boast a particularly strong test record on English turf, the hosts could be without their captain for the first test.
Joe Root’s wife is expecting their second child in the first week of July, so the talismanic batsman may be absent as he plans to attend the birth. In his place, it is said that Ben Stokes will take over the captaincy. However, many have warned against such a move, with the all-rounder being at his best without the weight of captaincy on his shoulders.
England vs. West Indies test series marks an ambitious return for long-form cricket. While there will be a lot of interest surrounding the logistics of the sporting event, cricket fans across the world will be happy to watch, follow, and back some first-class action again.
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