West Indies tour of England (2020)

[MenInG]

England all-rounder Sam Curran was tested for COVID-19 on Thursday after pulling out of the team's practice match in Southampton.

Curran was taken ill with sickness and diarrhoea overnight and has been self-isolating in his room at the Ageas Bowl.

A statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) reported Curran was feeling better as the day progressed but would play no further part in the intra-squad warm-up game being played between sides captained by Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler.

Curran scored 15 not out as Buttler's team posted 287-5 on Wednesday.

England are training and preparing at their Ageas Bowl "bubble" for the first of three behind-closed-doors Tests against West Indies, a series that begins next week.

Stokes will captain the hosts as skipper Joe Root attends the birth of his second child, with Curran's participation now a major doubt.

A left-arm swing bowler who also provides valuable lower-order runs, Curran played all six of England's away Tests in New Zealand and South Africa that comprised their 2019-20 winter schedule.

https://www.outlookindia.com/websit...after-withdrawing-from-england-warm-up/355913

 

[MenInG]

Shannon Gabriel added to West Indies Test Squad

Thursday, 2 July 2020 — MANCHESTER, England – Shannon Gabriel has been added to the West Indies Test squad for the ongoing Sandals Tour of England 2020. The experienced fast bowler was among the reserves and has now been drafted into the 15-member Test squad after proving his fitness following ankle surgery and impressive performances in the two inter-squad warm-up matches at the Emirates Old Trafford.

Roger Harper, Cricket West Indies Lead Selector said: “I am delighted that we are able to add Shannon to the Test squad. He has shown that he is fit and ready, he will add experience, firepower and potency to the bowling unit.”

Gabriel, the powerfully-built, six-footer has made a full recovery from the ankle surgery. On tour he has bowled in three innings and grabbed eight wickets for 122 runs. The 32-year-old is one of the most experienced members of the squad. He made his Test debut at Lord’s on May 17, 2012 and has so far played 45 matches. He has 133 wickets, placing him at Number 15 in the West indies all-time list of Test match wicket-takers.

His career-best performance came two years ago at the at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia when he took 8-62 against Sri Lanka to end with match figures of 13-121. He enters the upcoming series in the Top 20 of the International Cricket Council’s Test bowling rankings.

West Indies will travel from Manchester to Southampton on Friday 3rd July, as they continue preparations in a bid to retain the Wisden Trophy in the #RaiseTheBat Test Series. The first Test will be played at the Ageas Bowl, starting Wednesday 8th July. First ball daily is 11am (6am Eastern Caribbean Time/5am Jamaica Time).

Test Squad: Jason Holder (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach
Reserves: Sunil Ambris, Joshua DaSilva, Keon Harding, Kyle Mayers, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Anderson Phillip, Oshane Thomas, Jomel Warrican

https://cricket-west-indies.prezly....annon-gabriel-added-to-west-indies-test-squad

 

[MenInG]

Day Two Match Report from ECB

England all-rounder Sam Curran is awaiting the results of a Covid-19 test after being placed in self-isolation at the Ageas Bowl, on the second day of the intra-squad clash.

Curran batted on the first evening in Southampton, making 15 not out from 25 balls, but experienced sickness and diarrhoea during the night.

In line with strict medical protocols he has remained in his room at the on-site hotel and played no part in Thursday's play.

Ordinarily the left-armer would have been expected to feature with the ball but his conspicuous absence from the field was explained midway through the final session.

“Sam Curran has had sickness and diarrhoea overnight. He is feeling better this afternoon, and has been self-isolating in his room at the Ageas Bowl,” read a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

``He will play no further part in the practice match. He has been monitored by the team doctor throughout and was tested for Covid-19 earlier today.''

A 30-strong training group has been living, training and sleeping at Hampshire's ground since linking up on June 23, dropping to 29 when father-to-be Joe Root departed earlier this week.

All players and backroom have been receiving twice-weekly Covid-19 tests ahead of the first #raisethebat Test against the West Indies, starting on Wednesday, with regular screening for venue workers.

The ECB's first set of reported results yielded an all-clear of 702 negative tests. An exhaustive set of precautions are being taken at both the Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford to establish fully 'bio-secure' environments, but there will be an understandable feeling of concern until Curran's most latest result comes back.

On the pitch, the battle for bowling places intensified as Jos Buttler's team, who declared on their day one score of 287 for five, left Ben Stokes' side 233 for nine at stumps.

Buttler's hand was strengthened by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood's first ever appearance together in red ball cricket and the pair offered a promising glimpse of what they might be capable of in tandem.

Injury has kept the country's quickest bowlers apart since both played key roles in England's World Cup victory last year, but midway through the morning session they teamed up for a promising eight-over spell that cost just seven runs and yielded the wicket of opener Dom Sibley for 12.

Archer banked the scalp, caught behind flicking the ball down leg-side, but the pair hunted together to unsettle Sibley with pacey short-pitched bowling. Wood might just as easily have been the one celebrating moments earlier, forcing Sibley to fend awkwardly to Ollie Pope, who squandered the chance at short-leg.

Wood returned in the afternoon session to take Jonny Bairstow's outside edge with the first ball of his second spell and finished with spotless figures of one for 14 from 11 overs, while Archer returned two for 37 after adding Ben Foakes for 38. He received treatment for sore feet late on, understood to be a result of wearing new bowling boots, and was replaced by Surrey's Amar Virdi – the 29th player involved in the match.

Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson also offered a reminder of his skills, bowling with precision as he accounted for Moeen Ali and Lewis Gregory in a double-wicket maiden.

Stuart Broad could find himself vulnerable to the growing competition, with the fetching white bandana he wore over his lockdown hair more eye-catching than his figures of nought for 42.

Moeen's dismissal, lbw for five, followed a peripheral role with the ball on Wednesday and his hopes of a first Test appearance in a year appear to be receding. Instead, Dom Bess is well placed to hold his place in the side.

He bowled more tightly than either Moeen or Jack Leach managed on Wednesday and took a nice wicket when he had Keaton Jennings caught at slip before lunch.

Zak Crawley top-scored with 43, a positive innings strewn with neat drives, before he nicked Chris Woakes – yet another able seamer vying for attention.

Stokes made his way to 41, and doled out Bess' only real punishment when he launched him for six and four in the same over, before he was stumped charging Matt Parkinson.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Dom Bess is clearly the best spinner going into the series but the Windies have mostly right handed batsman so Leach has to play ahead of Bess.

 

[The Viper]

Day Three Match Report

England's final preparations for the long-awaited return of Test cricket were boosted on and off the field on Friday, with Sam Curran testing negative for Covid-19 and a handful of key batsmen spending
important time at the crease.

Curran's all-clear was perhaps the most important development of the day, removing the need for a fresh examination of the much-discussed 'bio-secure bubble' at the Ageas Bowl ahead of Wednesday's #raisethebat series opener against the West Indies.

The all-rounder emerged from self-isolation in his hotel room to take in the final session of a drawn internal clash between Team Stokes and Team Buttler, during which five of England's likeliest top six enjoyed valuable workouts. The game finished with Stokes' side 157 for four in a nominal chase of 255 – the final equation having only been set up by Jos Buttler's second declaration.

Now it is over to the selectors to fill in the blanks, with a 22-man squad due to be named on Saturday morning, cutting eight names from the original training group of 30.

As many as seven of those could be listed as reserves, living and training on-site in Southampton but largely in support of a core group.

Ollie Pope was the day's top-scorer, pleasingly into fully fluent mode with a rapid 55 not out, while openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley and Stokes himself each passed 30 to bank useful middle practice before the real thing.

Joe Denly conspicuously failed to join them among the runs, lbw second ball to Jack Leach, but the belated appearance of Dan Lawrence at number seven suggests his place is safe for now.

There was greater clarity on the spinning position too, with Dom Bess' status as the man in possession only underlined by expensive spells from Leach and Moeen Ali. The pair did share five wickets for Team Stokes but three of those came from the care-free pursuit of declaration runs and both were far too expensive.

Leg-spinner Matt Parkinson picked up the wickets of Jonny Bairstow and Sibley in the concluding session, only for Stokes to cool his momentum by launching him for 22 in a over.

The day began with Mark Wood taking on the role of the absent Barmy Army, waving a flag on top of the pavilion as he sang his team-mates to the field with a burst of 'Jerusalem'. That proved a rare break to the silence England have found so unusual this week, with some suggestion that artificial noise could be piped into the venue for the Test match.

Resuming 54 ahead of Stokes' side, Team Buttler's opening pair of Burns and James Bracey put on care-free stand of 61 in the morning.

Bracey, whose day one 85 proved the top score of the match, was first down for 22, top-edging Stokes to fine leg, before Leach trapped new man Denly clean in front for one. That was a rare victory for Leach, who leaked five sixes and looks short of rhythm.

Moeen was also loose but had the satisfaction of bowling Burns on the back foot for 35 before lunch. Runs flowed freely in the afternoon, Pope scoring with consummate freedom as he shared 50-run stands with Buttler (35) and Chris Woakes (37), who were both caught in the deep.

Lawrence's demotion down the order, and ultimate demise for six, concluded the innings at 200 for four.
Bairstow was invited to open alongside Sibley for the fourth innings, suggesting a place in the 22 awaits him, and the pair added 70.

Parkinson accounted for both, caught at cover and stumped respectively, but three huge sixes and a reverse sweep for four in a solitary over off the bat of Stokes proved the end of his stint.

The soon-to-be Test captain finished unbeaten on 37 from just 17 deliveries, while Crawley chimed in with a bright 34 before falling lbw to Wood. Bess ushered in the early finish when he dismissed Moeen for six, underlining his new status as the man in possession of the slow bowling berth

 

[The Viper]

Team Buttler: 287/5 dec & 200/6 dec

Team Stokes: 233 & 157/4

Result: Match Drawn

Full Scorecard:

Spoiler

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[Abdullah719]

England National Cricket Selectors have named a 13-strong squad for the first #raisethebat Test match against West Indies at Ageas Bowl starting on Wednesday 8 July 2020. Nine players will remain at the Ageas Bowl as Test reserves.

England Men’s Test Squad
Ben Stokes (Durham) Captain
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jofra Archer (Sussex)
Dominic Bess (Somerset)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Rory Burns (Surrey)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Joe Denly (Kent)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Dom Sibley (Warwickshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

Test Reserves
James Bracey (Gloucestershire)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Ben Foakes (Surrey)
Dan Lawrence (Essex)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
Craig Overton (Somerset)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Olly Stone (Warwickshire)

Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes is set to become the 81st England men’s Test captain on Wednesday after it was confirmed earlier in the week that he will replace Yorkshire’s Joe Root as captain. Root, who has returned to Sheffield to be at the birth of his second child, left the secure bubble in Southampton earlier this week. He will self-isolate for seven days before joining up with the squad ahead of the second Test at Emirates Old Trafford starting on 16 July.

 

[Titan24]

Burns
Sibley
Denly
Crawley
Stokes
Pope
Buttler (WK)
Bess
Archer
Broad
Anderson

Bess can bat but Eng lower order not looking as strong as it used to. Playing Woakes over a spinner would mean 5 man pace attack which I dont think will be a good idea especially when Archer and Anderson are coming from fitness issues.

 

[Titan24]

This I think Eng might go with but, I think Pope should play at no 4 in the absence of Root.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Burns
Sibley
Denly
Crawley
Stokes
Pope
Buttler (WK)
Bess
Archer
Broad
Anderson

Bess can bat but Eng lower order not looking as strong as it used to. Playing Woakes over a spinner would mean 5 man pace attack which I dont think will be a good idea especially when Archer and Anderson are coming from fitness issues.

I would have Wood or woakes over Anderson and Leach over Bess (subject to fitness and form) and I think Root wil replace Denly when he comes back.

 

[MenInG]

England opener Dom Sibley has lost 12kg after receiving a "wake-up call" on the aborted tour of Sri Lanka in March.

"Training in that heat, I saw some of the lads running after a big session and it was a bit of an eye-opener for me," said the 24-year-old.

"I was sitting on the plane home thinking that I needed to do something."

Sibley will play his first home Test when England begin their three-match series with West Indies on Wednesday.

The Warwickshire batsman averages 40.22 from six Tests, having made his debut in New Zealand in November.

He was due to play in Sri Lanka, only for the two Tests to be cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, a player previously nicknamed 'The Fridge' learnt more about the demands of international cricket on that tour.

"For the first time in my career I felt a little bit self-conscious about my physique and my weight," Sibley said. "I was probably carrying too much weight.

"I saw how fit some of the guys are, especially the senior guys, and how impressive they are in their training."

Sibley said his weight loss is down to a mixture of diet and training, saying he has not done anything "drastic".

In the first Test against West Indies he will resume his opening partnership with Rory Burns, which was broken up in South Africa after Burns suffered an ankle injury.

"I've always been someone that hasn't been the fittest in the squad," Sibley said. "Whether it's been at Surrey or Warwickshire, I've always been coasting a little bit in that aspect.

"I've had taps on the shoulder before, but I haven't done anything about it. It was probably a bit overdue, me having that wake-up call.

"I don't feel much different. People have said I look different, which is obviously nice. Regardless of whether it leads to runs or not, it was just something that I needed to do."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/53311837

 

[MenInG]

West Indies must try and win the Tests against England in four days because they cannot last five days, says legendary batsman Brian Lara.

The three-Test series starts on Wednesday at Southampton.

The tourists have a strong fast bowling line-up but their batsmen average only 23.59 in 19 Tests since their most recent tour of England in 2017.

"They have to be able to pounce immediately," said Lara, who will be part of the BBC highlights programme.

"England are not beaten very easily at home and are overwhelming favourites."

Lara, who scored a record 11,953 runs for West Indies in 131 Tests, said the series would depend on how quickly they can adapt to English conditions.

"They have to hit the road running and stamp their authority on England," said the 51-year-old.

"I don't think they can last five days, so they have to take these games in four days. They have to establish a lead and keep it."

The opening Test at Southampton and the second and third at Old Trafford will be played in a bio-secure environment and behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic.

West Indies have been in the UK since 9 June to prepare for the series.

They are holders of the Wisden Trophy after winning 2-1 in the Caribbean last year, but have not won a series in England since 1988.

"It's going to be a series that's watched all around the world and everybody is hoping to see a competitive series," said Lara, who scored 34 Test centuries.

"It would mean a lot to all West Indians if they could win.

"If they play good cricket on the first day of the Test series, show they have the mettle to perform against England, that's the key."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/53314798

 

[MenInG]

STATEMENT FROM MANU SAWHNEY - CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ICC ON RESUMPTION OF INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

“We are delighted at the resumption of international cricket with England taking on the West Indies in a Test series beginning tomorrow. I would like to thank the ECB for their tireless efforts in ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to ensure the safety and security of participants. Exactly four months ago to the day, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final was watched by millions of fans the world over, and we are sure the excitement remains as high. I wish both teams and the match officials the very best for what promises to be an exciting series.”

 

[MenInG]

Ben Stokes will lead England in a "gesture" of support for the Black Lives Matter movement when international cricket returns on Wednesday, but did not confirm that his players would take a knee.

 

[sweep_shot]

Some cricket finally.

All will go well hopefully.

 

[MenInG]

Jason Holder's comments on the upcoming Test vs England

“The mood in the camp is very good. It has been a while since we played international cricket, the last cricket was the tour of Sri Lanka in March. The last Test match for us was against Afghanistan back in December. We’ve had four solid weeks of preparation up in Manchester, in excellent facilities. So it’s green light to go. We are waiting the first ball tomorrow. I’m good … we’re good,” Holder said.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Test cricket...finally

Previous year,england openers were finally up to the task and it looks like they have a much more settled top order,burns was their best bat in ashes and sibley ,crawley were good in SAF.Joe denly played some solid knocks too.

Both the teams have a good bowling attack roach,gabriel,joseph and holder(improved version) vs archer,anderson,broad,stokes.
I think it wont be one side traffic for sure.

 

[MenInG]

Test cricket...finally

Previous year,england openers were finally up to the task and it looks like they have a much more settled top order,burns was their best bat in ashes and sibley ,crawley were good in SAF.Joe denly played some solid knocks too.

Both the teams have a good bowling attack roach,gabriel,joseph and holder(improved version) vs archer,anderson,broad,stokes.
I think it wont be one side traffic for sure.

Rain expected ....

 

[Nikhil_cric]

So it looks like they are dropping Broad for Jimmy? Poor decision unless Broad is unfit

 

[MenInG]

Tuesday, 7 July 2020 — ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies team has received tremendous outpouring of well wishes from all across the region as they prepare for the upcoming #RaiseTheBat Test Series on the Sandals Tour of England 2002. Current and former West Indies players have joined with CWI President, Ricky Skerritt to throw their support behind the team as they prepare to defend the Wisden Trophy in the three-match Test Series, to played behind closed doors as cricket makes a comeback to the international stage. The match starts Wednesday morning at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

West Indies fast bowling greats Sir Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh – who have 924 Test wickets between them – jointly gave words of wisdom to the young players. Other West Indies players and T20 World Cup champions Daren Sammy, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell also offered “shout outs” on social media, alongside Omari Banks and Kesrick Williams.

Other cricket-lovers have also sent messages of goodwill. These include Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines; Dwight Yorke, the former Manchester United and Trinidad and Tobago striker; Yohan Blake, the Jamaican Olympic medalist; and Shaka Hislop, the former Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper and highly respected analyst on ESPN. Also joining the chorus of support are popular musicians Kevin Lyttle and Skinny Fabulous.

“I want to send the team all the best in the three Tests. I know that you are splendid examples of our Caribbean civilization, you carry our flag and you conduct yourselves very well beyond the boundary. On the field, I expect you to triumph. But if you do not triumph, I expect you to still make us very proud, and most importantly for you to conduct yourself and be consulate professionals in the long traditions of Caribbean cricketing excellence,” said Dr Gonsalves, who is chairman of CARICOM.

West Indies played their first Test match against England in June 1928. To date West Indies have played 545 matches – with 174 wins, 195 defeats, 175 draws and the famous tie against Australia at the Gabba in December, 1960. West Indies have played England on 157 occasions. West Indies won 57, England won 49 with 51 drawn.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Typical that you wait with unmitigated anticipation for a test match to come along for 3 months and rain is forecast on the first two days.

 

[MMHS]

At one point, I saw WI had a win % over 50% (that’s more wins than Loss & Draw combined), now it’s like around 30-32%, which indicates how much they have declined in last 20-25 years.

 

[MenInG]

Wednesday, 8 July 2020 — SOUTHAMPTON, England – Members of the West Indies squad knelt and held clenched fists as they showed full support for and the fight against racism, inequality and injustice. Before Wednesday’s start to the #RaiseTheBat series at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, both West Indies and England teams announced they would wear the Black Lives Matter logo on the collars of the playing shirts.



They further demonstrated support kneeling on the field and on the boundary. All members of the West Indies squad also wore black gloves. In addition, a flag was flown over the team’s balcony with the composite logos of Cricket West Indies and Black Lives Matter on the traditional maroon background.

Speaking ahead of the series, West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons said: “It means a hell of a lot to all the players and all the staff on the tour. But it's not just about now, it's about life on the whole”.

The Black Lives Matter emblem was designed by Alisha Hosannah, the partner of Troy Deeney, the professional footballer and captain of Watford Football Club (who play in the English Premier League). He was contacted by CWI and permission was granted for the logo to be displayed on the collar according to ICC regulations.

The logo has a clenched fist in place of the letter “A” in the word “Black”. It was also used on the shirts of all 20 Premier League clubs since football returned behind closed doors following the break for COVID-19.