5 Players To Watch Out For In The England Vs West Indies Test Series

There’s no better way to resume international cricket than staging a Test match between one of the oldest rivalries of the sport. England and West Indies are all set to lock horns as top-level cricket takes centre stage for the first time since March. The two sides will take the field at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday in the first of the three Tests with revamped rules and surroundings. And with that, the focus will be on some of the key members from both the teams.

Also Read: England vs West Indies 2020: 1st Test, West Indies Predicted XI

While England has asserted their dominance for most of the past two decades, the West Indies have also upset them on a few occasions. The fact that the Caribbeans comfortably beat the Englishmen the last time two teams met indicates a riveting contest is on the cards. The West Indies are the current holders of the Wisden Trophy, and England will do everything in their power to reclaim it.

We take a look at five players to watch out for in the England-West Indies Test series:

Jason Holder:

West Indies skipper Jason Holder is the number one all-rounder in the ICC Test rankings, having bagged the position in January 2019. The same month West Indies reclaimed the Wisden Trophy after beating England in the first two Tests in the three-match series in the Caribbean Islands.

The 28-year old averaged a stunning 114.50 in two Tests, including a personal best of an unbeaten 202. He also took eight wickets at 22.25 including a five-wicket haul. In England, which is a paradise for fast bowling, the Barbadian will indeed fancy his chances to unsettle the hosts. He will also have the responsibility to make significant contributions with the bat, considering his team’s fallible batting line-up.

James Anderson:

James Anderson’s love for Test cricket does not seem to stop. Despite sustaining career-threatening injuries in the past few months, the veteran speedster has forced his way into the national team. The previous time Anderson bowled in England, he bowled only four overs before his right calf forced him out of the entire series.

It was in the 2019 Ashes, but the hosts managed to square the series despite his absence. At home, the 37-year old averages 23.77 with 368 out of 584 wickets in 112 innings. While Stuart Broad is likely to miss the first Test, Anderson will most likely take the field for his 151st Test and head a star-studded pace attack.

Shai Hope:

Shai Hope is to West Indies what Virat Kohli is to the Indian cricket team. One of the most technically sound batsmen of today, Shai Hope has all the shots in the book and can shift gears according to his will. As a 23-year old, Hope scored twin-centuries in Leeds in 2017 crafted an emphatic win for the tourists.

Even though West Indies lost the series, the tour was a turning point for the Barbadian. With 375 runs in three Tests, he averaged a daunting 75. The unavailability of Shimron Hetmyer and Darren Bravo makes Hope’s role more important as the anchor and flag-bearer for the visitors.

Jofra Archer:

While James Anderson walked off the first Test of the 2019 Ashes, the second Test saw the birth of Jofra Archer. The 25-year-old carried his impressive form of the 2019 World Cup to cause fear amongst the Australian batsmen. Except for Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, none of the other batsmen could handle the lightning-fast, pinpoint, and well-directed short-pitched deliveries.

Nevertheless, since that 22-wicket series, the speedster could pluck only eight scalps in New Zealand and South Africa. Even though in South Africa, he enjoyed a five-wicket haul, the Proteas milked him for runs and suffered an elbow injury after the first Test. Now back at home, Archer will be keen to recover his rhythm and desperate to prove a point.

Ben Stokes:

Ben Stokes’ rise as the best all-rounder across formats will take a new turn as he turns his attention towards leading England for the first time. Joe Root’s decision to skip the first Test has given England a chance to take a peek of how Stokes will marshall the boys and the possibility of giving him a full-time role.

It is a known fact that Ben Stokes does not need a captain’s hat to spearhead his team’s chances as he showed in the 2019 Ashes.

Yet, it is mouthwatering to see a man lead, who has an indefatigable willingness to contribute to the team’s cause through all his aspects. With his aggressive demeanour, the 29-year old can be expected to be ruthless in his approach.

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