Welcome back International Cricket! How different is it after resumption from COVID-19 break?

[MenInG]

Test cricket returns today

Cricket's first Test match in four months begins today, when England take on West Indies in Southampton.

The last Test anywhere was in early March in New Zealand. England's last Test was in January, and West Indies' was in November.

The five-day game beginning today will have no fans, English umpires (instead of overseas umpires being flown in) and players are banned from using saliva on the ball.

Both teams have been in "bio-secure" environments for two weeks before the match.

"I know there is not going to be anybody in the crowd to hear or get energy from, but we can't use the lack of crowd as an excuse not to get up for this game," said England's Ben Stokes.

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[Forward Defensive Push]

This is a breakthrough game and will form a template for any games that are to be played in the future. Cricket needs this game to be successful at all costs. Hoping for the best.

The most interesting thing for me to watch for is the amount of swing in the absence of saliva. This has the potential redefine our game as we know it.

 

[MenInG]

Azhar Ali mentioned the fact that bowlers have to leave sweater and hat outside the boundary rope before bowling etc - could be a little bothersome?

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Azhar Ali mentioned the fact that bowlers have to leave sweater and hat outside the boundary rope before bowling etc - could be a little bothersome?

Sounds very unpractical, can't really get the new playing rules in my head until I see it!

 

[MenInG]

Great to see cricket back! including rain delays

 

[MenInG]

Artifical crowd noise on TV? Strange but sign of the times I guess.

 

[MenInG]

West Indies captain Jason Holder almost forgot the unwritten rule of no handshakes when he reached out to shake hands with England captain Ben Stokes after losing the toss in the first Test match at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

Thankfully, Stokes stuck his elbow out and both the captains had a laugh after the toss which England won and chose to bat first as cricket ushered in the new dawn of Test cricket after the Covid-19 pandemic.

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“You can’t do that, never mind just sanitize those hands,” said the broadcaster who was not present in the ground but was conducting the toss through cameras and microphones.

The pandemic has not only forced the ICC to bring in a slew of rule changes to create a safe environment for the players and host this series in front of empty stands in a bio-secure enviroment, but it has also posed a huge challenge for the cricketers who are so used to high-fives and hugs while celebrating during a cricket match.

Meanwhile, England decided to drop Stuart Broad for the first time in a home Test after 2012. They decided to go ahead of Mark Wood.

“Overhead conditions didn’t change our perception. Looks dry on top. Won’t have too much pace in it. Recently spin’s come into it. Tough decision with Broad and Woakes. But we feel that we can have an extra dimension with the pace of Wood and Archer, said England captain Ben Stokes, who is leading England for the first time as regular captain Joe Root has taken some time off for the birth of second child.

“Not too disheartened with bowling first. Will look to make use of these conditions. We’ve got four quicks. Got Chase as a spin bowling option. Discipline’s the name of the game. Been little strange. Haven’t been able to move out of the hotel. It is what it is. Preparation’s been good,” said West Indies captain Jason Holder.

The toss was delayed by more than two hours because of light rain and wet outfield, forcing the umpires to call for an early lunch on day 1.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...ke-practice/story-YnvE800STO85ZcuoYAqWHO.html

 

[Saj]

There's an eerie and strange feel to it.

Seems the broadcasters are struggling also.

 

[Hasan123]

Not the same without crowds especially in a place like England which has 1 of the best test match following in terms of crowds.

 

[sweep_shot]

It doesn't feel the same without crowd.

It feels quite creepy.

 

[MenInG]

It doesn't feel the same without crowd.

It feels quite creepy.

Just like the UAE

In a sense, good to see how the rest of the world now understands what we went through in UAE.

 

[Abdullah719]

"Really Worried": Irfan Pathan Feels Fast Bowlers Need To Be More Careful Than Others On Return

Fast bowling is a difficult art as it demands a lot from a bowler and takes immense toll on their bodies. With the coronavirus pandemic putting a halt on all cricketing activities, Indian cricketers, including fast bowlers, have without any strenuous training for well over three months now and that worries former India pacer Irfan Pathan. The cricketer-turned-commentator said fast bowling is a "tough job" and bowlers might "need around 4-6 weeks" to get back into rhythm, especially after such a long lay-off.

"To be honest, I am really worried about the fast bowlers. Going forward, they might need 4-6 weeks to get going themselves," Irfan said on Star Sports show 'Cricket Connected'.

"It's a tough job and if you are bowling 140-150 kmph, running about 25 yards to bowl one ball at a time and then keep bowling for a few overs," he added.

Irfan, who retired from all forms of cricket in January this year, said when the players return to the field, managing their injuries will be the key. He also cautioned fast bowlers to be more careful than others as they are more prone to injuries after a long break due to the stiffness in their bodies.

"Your body gets stiff, injury management will be key as well because I think for any fast bowler to get back into the rhythm, it takes at least 4-6 weeks, so I think fast bowlers will have to be a little more careful than the spinners or the batsmen," said Irfan, the first Indian fast bowler to take a Test hat-trick. Irfan Pathan played 29 Tests, 120 ODIs and 24 T20Is for India and picked up 301 wickets. He made his international debut against Australia in 2003 and last played for India during the 2012 World T20 in Sri Lanka.

https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/irf...be-more-careful-than-others-on-return-2265310