England captain Ben Stokes decided to bat in the first Test against the West Indies at Southampton on Wednesday as international cricket resumed after the lockdown.
For the first match of the three-Test series, England left out veteran paceman Stuart Broad, their second most successful Test bowler behind James Anderson who did start, as well as Chris Woakes.
It was the first time Broad had missed a home Test since 2012, with England deciding to pair express fast bowlers Jofra Archer, born in Barbados, and Mark Wood for the first time since the Archer’s Test debut last year.
#ENGvWI Just before the start of play, our #MenInMaroon took a knee to show their solidarity against Racism with the Black Lives Matter movement. #BlackLivesMatter
Windies Cricket (@windiescricket), July 8, 2020
“Very, very tough decision with Broad and Woakes but we feel with Woody and Jofra’s pace it adds another dimension,” said Stokes.
“There was a lot of disappointment around but they took it like champions.”
How good is it to have Test cricket back! #ENGvWI
Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting), July 8, 2020
West Indies omitted specialist spinner, Rakheem Cornwall, with batsman Roston Chase to provide some slow bowling in support of a four-man pace attack of Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph and captain Jason Holder.
“Overhead conditions suggest we could make use of it,” said Holder.
“We’ve gone with four quicks and Roston Chase for a spin option. Discipline is the name of the game.”
21st century’s longest wait for international cricket is now over. #HallaBol | #ENGvWI
Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals), July 8, 2020
Teams
England: Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Denly, Zak Crawley, Ben Stokes (capt), Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wkt), Dom Bess, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, James Anderson
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Shai Hope, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Jason Holder (capt), Shane Dowrich (wkt), Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel
“we should never forget what both Pakistan and West Indies have done. We applaud your bravery in coming over to England and putting cricket first” @nassercricket #Cricket #ENGvWI #ENGvPAK
Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion), July 8, 2020
International Cricket return after 117 days! Thank you @englandcricket and @windiescricket #ENGvWI
Abhishek Jani (@abhijani_tweet), July 8, 2020
International cricket is back#ENGvWI
Le cricket fans-
Mannat (@thandrakhleyar), July 8, 2020
Boom! Bowledddddd. Nice start for @windiescricket #ENGvWI
Alexis Nunes (@alexisenunes), July 8, 2020
NO HAND SHAKES ALLOWED !! ❌
sanitise your hands stoksey @benstokes38
WELCOME TO THE WEIRDEST CRICKETING ACTION in 2020 !! #ENGvWI
KIRAN (@tweetsbyhk), July 8, 2020
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Adrian Dennis