Rain Hampers the Return of Test Cricket- England vs West Indies, Test 1, Day 1
The long-awaited return of Test cricket in England had to wait a little longer as rain delayed the start of the Test series between England and the West Indies. The toss was delayed, and an early lunch was taken on the first day of the Test.
England Captain Ben Stokes, who is the captain for this Test only in the absence of Joe Root, elected to bat first. The only real shock of the day came with the selection of the England team, as Stewart Broad was left out of the side. Broad, who has taken 485 test wickets for England was left out in favour of pace bowler Mark Wood. This was not the only selection change in the England line-up, Zak Crawley replaces, England captain Root who is absent due to the birth of his second child.
The West Indies also named a strong squad. Their squad, captained by the number one ranked all-rounder Jason Holder, boasts a fierce pace attack of Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph.
Before play both sides showed their solidarity towards the Black Lives Matter movement and the quest racial equality by wearing badges signifying their support for the movement and taking a knee before the first ball was bowled.
Play eventually got underway and there was an early scare for England opener Rory Burns after he was struck on the pad. He was given not out by the Umpire, but it was appealed by the West Indies. The decision was upheld by the TMO as it was left to the Umpire’s call.
Moments later, the West Indies got their breakthrough. Shannon Gabriel dismissed Dominic Sibley with an in-swinging delivery that bowled the Warwickshire batsman.
Joe Denly and Rory Burns stabilised the batting order and were able to battle through the pace bowling attack of the West Indies and long rain interruptions. The England pair continued to fight off the new ball in difficult conditions until the Umpires called an end to the days play due to poor light.
The day ended with England finishing on 35-1 with Burns unbeaten on 20 not out. The return of cricket was very anticlimactic with both sides hoping for a better day’s play tomorrow.
