England vs West Indies 2020: 1st Test, Preview: Rose Bowl Sets The Scene For International Cricket Return As Familiar Foes Resume Rivalry

13th of March was the date that the world saw international cricket being played for the last time. It had been around four months since a top-level cricket match took place. For England and the West Indies, it is longer. In between, the cricketing brains around the globe have struggled, brainstormed and formulated feasible ways and dates to make the events happen. Players have confined to keeping themselves fit within their homes while certain top-level athletes fell prey to the pathogen and manoeuvred their way out of it.

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Are you ready for this battle?

And the sport waited and has steered itself through turbulent days to mark its return to the turf but with a whole new set of restrictions, rules, and surroundings. Moreover, what’s better than resuming it in a nation where cricket found its roots and a rivalry that started back in 1928.

Yes, it’s England versus the West Indies, the three-Test series, which was to take place in May. While it is true that on the 13th of March, the final match in the international arena was staged, the last in whites held on the 2nd of March. And Test cricket is the way to bring upon the resumption of the gentleman’s game as the hosts meet the Caribbeans in Southampton.

If ECB’s bravado to stage international cricket in one of the worst-hit countries by the pandemic is worth acclamation, the words to appreciate the tourists’ decision to visit knows no bounds. While Jason Holder’s men hold the Wisden trophy, which they regained it in February 2019, their numbers in England do not go for pretty reading. West Indies last beat the Englishmen in their backyard in 1988 and emerged triumphant once in 2017, which was the first since 2000.

If that is not enough, the number eight Test team will also have to play without the services of Shimron Hetmyer and Darren Bravo – two batsmen with contrasting approaches but equally vital to their defence. However, the West Indies will challenge a work-in-progress English top-order with their five-pronged pacemen. Four quicks in Shannon Gabriel, Raymond Reiffer, Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph hit splendid form in their two intra-squad games while Chemar Holder could be a surprise package.

The absence of Shimron Hetmyer and Darren Bravo in the middle-order means that a lot will depend on Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shamrah Brooks, and Jermaine Blackwood all of who produced mixed performances in the warm-up games. Shai Hope, who played an integral role back in 2017 in West Indies’ victory in Leeds, has the responsibility to set the tone as veterans with Kraigg Brathwaite. England’s penetrating bowling attack is no surprise why head coach Phil Simmons has fired a warning to his batsmen.

In contrast, England has had a dream start to this year and will fancy themselves as favourites at home against the old enemy. After not winning a single series in 2019, they beat the Proteas comprehensively in an away leg. The foundations of their 3-1 triumph in the four-match series arrived on the back of a more settled top-order as compared to the ones witnessed in the past two years. While Rory Burns will most likely partner Dom Sibley at the top, makeshift opener, Zak Crawley would also find a spot with Joe Root set to miss the first Test.

Joe Denly, Ollie Pope, and Ben Stokes would be automatic selections as will Jos Buttler, who leapfrogs Jonny Bairstow as the man to take the gloves. And how does one veer their attention away from Stokes, England’s most crucial cricketer, slated to step in as the leader for the first time? The all-rounder’s career has gone on to touch a new echelon ever since his 2019 World Cup heroics. And from being stripped of the vice-captaincy in 2017, earning it back, pundits back him to lead by example, which he always does but also do it excellently.

At 37, sultan of swing James Anderson is all set to feature in his 151st Test. But his partner-in-crime, Stuart Broad is an uncertain prospect in Southampton and might as well be the cruellest decision if left out. Yet, how could one hold back from remembering Jofra Archer’s carnage as a Test debutant last summer despite not remaining consistent after those? And how about Mark Wood, whose bowled rockets during his 12 wickets in two Tests in South Africa that allowed England to dream bowling Wood and Archer in Tandem? Or Chris Woakes, who has underlined his importance on all the fronts?

Or do England play four quicks and leave out the lone spinner Dom Bess, whose show in South Africa could not leave any room for Moeen Ali or Jack Leach for now? In a nutshell, the hosts have plenty to choose from in the pace department, all of whom could work wonders. Rest assured, England will indeed miss the Barmy Army’s support in the stands, whose absence Simmons also highlighted as an advantage for them. And as a trendsetter for the immediate future, the world will stick their eyes on this encounter and see if one of the best bowling line-ups can cause havoc without saliva.

Date and venue: July 8th, 2020, 03:30 pm IST, Rose Bowl or Ageas Bowl, Southampton

Playing combinations:

England:

With Stuart Broad speculated to miss the first Test, the focus shifts to the likes of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. England will most likely stick to the likes of Burns, Sibley, Crawley, and Denly as their top-four while one amongst Crawley and Denly may have to make way for regular captain Joe Root.

Predicted XI – Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Denly, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad/Dom Bess, James Anderson.

West Indies:

The West Indies’ batting line-up has to come off strongly against a reputed English pace attack on their home soil. Plenty will rely on the likes of Shai Hope, Roston Chase, and Kraigg Brathwaite as batsmen while Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel have to shoulder the responsibilities of the bowling department.

Predicted XI: John Campbell, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Shamrah Brooks, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder (c), Rakheem Cornwall, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, Raymond Reifer/Alzarri Joseph.

Pitch report:

The pitch at the Ageas Bowl usually tends to favour spinners; however, with the conditions slated to remain overcast and zip on the deck, the team winning the toss will choose to bowl first. While the strength lies in pace bowling for both the sides, they have got equally capable spinners, who can do the Moeen Ali-magic of Southampton in 2018.

Weather forecast:

The weather in Southampton could remain cloudy throughout the Test match with no rain expected. The temperature could vary between 12 to 18 degree Celsius, which can be perfect for Test cricket.

Head to head:

Played – 157
Won by England – 49
Won by West Indies – 57
Drawn – 51

Stats that matter:

England and West Indies have not featured in a Test in Southampton thus far.

James Anderson needs five wickets to pass Moeen Ali’s tally of 17 wickets at the Rose Bowl. Anderson has 13 from three matches at the venue.

Joe Root will miss his first Test on Wednesday since 77 Tests. From the 12th of June 2014 to 24th of January 2020, the Yorkshire batsman has played in every Test fixture.

West Indies recorded their lowest total of 47 against England back in 2004.

Match Prediction:

While the West Indies can be entirely backed to create a surprise, the Englishmen become a different beast at home. West Indies must put the hosts’ top-order under early pressure to gain some upper hand while their batsmen should look to survive the formidable new-ball attack of the opposition.

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