|
Post by Admin on Jun 24, 2020 14:40:12 GMT
Wednesday 8th - 1st Test vs West Indies, Southampton - 11:00 Thursday 16th - 2nd Test vs West Indies, Old Trafford - 11:00 Friday 24th - 3rd Test vs West Indies, Old Trafford - 11:00 The Aegeas Bowl Old Trafford History of previous games stats.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-england-2013-14/engine/records/team/series_results.html?class=1;id=1;id=4;type=headtoheadTwo weeks today providing there is no dramatic increase in case of the dreaded lurgy England will take on West Indies in a three match Test series, my first proper memories of teh tourists were the early 1960's the likes of Hunte, Kanhai, Carew, Sobers, Butche, Gibbs, Murray Hall and Griffiths plus teh always loyal West Indian Calypso support which turned up at matches. The later incarnations of Greenidge, Haynes, Kallicharran, Clive LLoyd and that battery of fast bowlers , Holding, Garner, Ambrose, Marshall, Roberts, Walsh etc and the 5-0 thrashings they gave us. Those days are long gone as have the West Indies as a world forcge in the game but under the stewardship of Jason Holder maybe just maybe we are seeing the re emergence of the team from the Caribbean. Apparently they have got a decent pace attack but most interesting focus will be on Cornwall 6ft 6 and 22 stone a spinner my type of cricketer. Hopefully the weather lends itself to a giving us some entertainment in these most odd of times
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 4, 2020 18:39:34 GMT
England have named Dom Bess as their spinner in a 13-man squad for the first Test against West Indies, which begins on Wednesday.
Off-spinner Bess is chosen ahead of Jack Leach and Moeen Ali, who is not among the list of nine reserves.
Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley and Joe Denly will be the top four in the absence of Joe Root, who misses out for the birth of his second child.
Ben Stokes will stand in as captain for Root in Southampton.
England squad: Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Reserves: James Bracey, Sam Curran, Ben Foakes (wk), Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Olly Stone.
Stokes will become England's 81st Test skipper and the first all-rounder to take charge since Andrew Flintoff.
One of his first decisions will be the make-up of the pace bowling attack, with the coronavirus lockdown that has prevented England from playing Test cricket since January resulting in a fully fit complement of fast bowlers.
Pace bowlers James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes will vie for what are likely to be three places in the team.
Sam Curran, who may also have been in contention before falling ill during a practice match this week, is among the reserves.
He is joined on the back-up list by fellow seamers Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Olly Stone and Saqib Mahmood, and left-arm spinner Leach.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 8, 2020 17:26:00 GMT
First Test, day one, Ageas Bowl England 35-1: Burns 20*, Gabriel 1-19 West Indies: Yet to bat England endured a frustrating return to international cricket as the opening day of the first Test against West Indies was disrupted by rain. Only 17.4 overs were possible in Southampton, in which time England battled to 35-1. This series and the rest of England's rejigged home summer is being played behind closed doors and in a bio-secure environment, with everyone on site subject to coronavirus tests, temperature checks and adhering to strict safety measures. The home side, being led for the first time by Ben Stokes while regular captain Joe Root is isolating after the birth of his second child, opted to omit pace bowler Stuart Broad in favour of James Anderson, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. Just before play got under way three hours late, all players and officials paused in silence to remember those lost to coronavirus and West Indies legend Sir Everton Weekes, then took a knee in a powerful gesture of support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Opener Dom Sibley, making his home debut, was bowled playing no shot to Shannon Gabriel to the fourth ball he faced and departed without scoring. Rory Burns, returning from an ankle injury, looked comfortable for his unbeaten 20, while Joe Denly required more fortune in reaching 14. Bad light forced the players to take an early tea, with rain and more gloom ensuring they did not return.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 9, 2020 18:27:36 GMT
First Test, day two, Ageas Bowl England 204: Stokes 43, Holder 6-42, Gabriel 4-62 West Indies 57-1 West indies trail by 147 England were dismissed for 204 thanks to West Indies' captain Jason Holder's superb 6-42 on day two of the first Test at an empty Southampton. Holder, who at one stage took 3-1 in 14 deliveries, was backed up by 4-62 from the pacy Shannon Gabriel. On a pitch offering plenty for the bowlers, England's batsmen showed obvious signs of rustiness in their first Test since the coronavirus lockdown. Captain Ben Stokes was dropped twice in his 43, wicketkeeper Jos Buttler briefly impressed for 35, and it needed a last-wicket stand of 30 between Dom Bess, who made 31 not out, and James Anderson to carry England past 200. England were then not at their best with the ball, with West Indies moving to 57-1, 147 behind. On a grey, murky day, the floodlights were on throughout, and bad light forced the close with 26.3 overs still remaining. The weather is forecast to improve on Friday, meaning the tourists could get the best batting conditions. However, with the surface already showing signs of uneven bounce, they also face the disadvantage of having to bat last. The circumstances in which this match is being played mean neither side have had ideal preparations - England's training camp involved one internal practice match and West Indies' two. In conditions that should have suited England - cool, damp and the ball holding the upper hand over bat - West Indies had much the better day, displaying all the discipline, application and organisation that helped them take the series when these two sides met in the Caribbean 18 months ago. They bowled a fuller length than England, then suffered only one setback in an evening session that could have posed a real danger to their batsmen. West Indies' intelligent use of the review system also helped them overturn five decisions during the day. England still have the opportunity to fight their way back into the contest, especially if they make early inroads on Friday. However, the performance of tall seamer Holder has only enhanced the suspicion that the omitted Stuart Broad would have been a real asset to England this surface. While at one stage it looked like Stokes would hold England's batting together, he became the first victim of a Holder burst that ripped the guts from the middle order. Holder had earlier trapped Zak Crawley lbw and got Ollie Pope to poke behind, and returned to end a sixth-wicket partnership of 67 between Stokes and Buttler. Finding seam movement and bounce from a full length, Holder got Stokes to push at one, resulting in a nick, then produced a beauty to take the edge of Buttler, with wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich taking an excellent one-handed diving catch. When Holder overturned an unsuccessful lbw shout against Jofra Archer, it completed an England slide from 154-5 to 157-8. The combative Bess played some punchy strokes but was left stranded when Gabriel, who took the first three wickets, returned to splatter the stumps of last man Anderson. After England resumed on 35-1, Rory Burns made 30 before getting too far across to Gabriel, while the battle between Joe Denly and Crawley had two losers as Denly was bowled by Gabriel for 18 and Crawley played across the line to depart for 10. Pope looked fluent before a loose stroke and Stokes was dropped on 14 and 32, the second of which, by Shamarh Brooks at cover, was as simple a chance as you will see at this level. Overall, England looked a little flat, not matching West Indies' energy in the field or busyness between the wickets. The returning Anderson plugged away to have John Campbell lbw after seeing two decisions overturned. Mark Wood bowled at speeds of 95mph, but Archer too often was too short. Firstly it good to see live cricket, man of the day Jason Holder quality player Had a bad day award both umpires had shockers
|
|
|
Post by lancsdes on Jul 9, 2020 19:08:19 GMT
Enjoyed it very much. Like the Lord’s crowd noise. Far better than Barmy Army!
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 10, 2020 6:18:02 GMT
Have to say don't mind the false crowd noises doesn't intrude as much unlike the piped sound they put on football
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 10, 2020 18:12:49 GMT
The Ageas Bowl: England 202 & 15-0, West Indies 318 - West Indies lead by 99 runs West Indies are firmly in the ascendancy in the first Test against England at The Ageas Bowl after building a commanding lead over the hosts. Kraigg Brathwaite and Shane Dowrich both hit half-centuries as the tourists were bowled out for 318 on a docile pitch in Southampton. Ben Stokes took 4-49 but could not prevent the Windies taking a 114-run lead into England's second innings. Rory Burns and Dom Sibley batted out the final 10 overs to reach the close unscathed on 15-0 - but there remains plenty of work - not least another 99 runs to make West Indies bat again - for the hosts to do to turn the contest in their direction. Stokes had earlier attempt to blast the Windies from their comfortable position by letting Jofra Archer and Mark Wood loose on the visitors' top order. But though both men were testing the speed gun, they were out of sorts. That was emphasised when Archer trapped Shai Hope lbw, only for DRS to highlight a front-foot no-ball. Dom Bess eventually did for the troubled No.3, but Brathwaite cashed in with a patient half-century. The opener was eventually dismissed when he played all around one from Stokes, but Shamarh Brooks steadied the ship with a dogged 39 before James Anderson sent him packing. Jermaine Blackwood hit out needlessly but Roston Chase and Dowrich put the West Indies into the lead with a sixth-wicket partnership worth 81. Jason Holder was unable to provide any fireworks but some useful runs from Alzarri Joseph (18), before Stokes bowled him for his 150th Test scalp, pushed the lead to 114. With around 50 minutes to survive until the close, Burns and Sibley batted nervously with the ball doing plenty in the early evening air. Crucially, however, the opening pair persevered to leave all three results, with just two days remaining, still on the table.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2020 19:24:21 GMT
First Test, day four, Ageas Bowl England 204 (Holder 6-42) & 284-8 (Crawley 76, Sibley 50, Stokes 46) West Indies 318 (Brathwaite 65, Dowrich 61) England lead by 170 Zak Crawley's 76, allied to 46 from Ben Stokes, looked to be batting England into a winning position. Both fell in successive overs to begin the England slide as the tourists lifted themselves with the second new ball late in the day. Pace bowler Alzarri Joseph removed Crawley and Jos Buttler after Jason Holder struck another blow in his battle with fellow captain and all-rounder Stokes. Dom Bess survived being dropped and a tight lbw shout, only to be bowled by Shannon Gabriel, who had Ollie Pope play on four balls later. Overall, England fell from 249-3 to 279-8, ultimately closing on 284-8 - a lead of 170. With the pitch showing some uneven bounce, particularly from one end, England will have a chance of defending whatever target they set. However, West Indies have been impressive throughout the match, and they have a superb opportunity to go ahead in the three-match series. While there have been times when the behind-closed-doors environment has felt eerie and lifeless, a day when the two sides arm-wrestled for the initiative has set up what could be a grandstand finish. England deserve credit for the way their batting improved from their first-innings 204 all out, albeit in conditions where they would have had no excuse for failing again. There were times when West Indies were forced to retreat, but they never lost control, meaning they were only ever one or two wickets away from being on top. Sunday morning will see England wanting to eke out as many runs as they can, but, whatever they set West Indies, all four results will be possible. The final day will also reveal if England's strategy of batting first and omitting Stuart Broad was correct. By choosing to bat on a damp first day, the hosts hoped they would reap the benefit of bowling last on a dry surface that would suit the extra pace of Mark Wood and Jofra Archer, and turn for off-spinner Bess. If the tourists were hoping to ram home their advantage, they were thwarted by some dogged England resistance in lovely batting conditions. West Indies maintained their discipline, though. All of Holder, Kemar Roach and off-spinner Roston Chase kept a lid on England's scoring, and the rewards came. Rory Burns was fluent for his 42 before he spooned Chase to point, Dom Sibley scored almost exclusively off his pads and was eventually caught down the leg side off Gabriel for 50, while Joe Denly's surrender to Chase was a gift. When Crawley and Stokes were together, West Indies began to look tired and frustrated in the heat, but found inspiration when Holder got Stokes for the second time in the match. Joseph yorked Buttler and could have had Bess twice, only for the fiery Gabriel to swing the match in his team's favour with a double strike. With captain Joe Root isolating after being at the birth of his second child, England's choice between Kent team-mates Denly and Crawley - both part of the team that won in South Africa last winter - was delayed. Denly, who kept his place at number three, appeared to be the man in possession, yet he failed to capitalise on another start, while Crawley went on to make the highest score of the match - and his Test career. Denly, aged 33 and playing his 15th Test, veers from looking composed to edgy. When he tamely chipped Chase to short mid-wicket for 29 it was the sixth time in eight innings that he had passed 25 but not reached 40. Crawley can be loose, but has youth on his side. His strokeplay is elegant, and this innings was built on on-drives, back-foot punches and the occasional reverse sweep. He added 98 with the typically authoritative Stokes, but when Stokes pushed a Holder wide one to gully and Crawley was sharply caught and bowled by Joseph in successive overs, West Indies grabbed control.
|
|
|
Post by lancsdes on Jul 11, 2020 20:30:13 GMT
Terrific stuff. Four innings cricket the best game in the world
|
|
|
Post by chris on Jul 11, 2020 21:09:09 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 12, 2020 15:05:46 GMT
57 needed to get the 200 needed 6 wickets left, Archer bowling some brutes going to rue last nights collapse
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 12, 2020 18:01:05 GMT
First Test, day five, Ageas Bowl England 204 (Holder 6-42) & 313 (Crawley 76, Gabriel 5-75) West Indies 318 (Brathwaite 65) & 200-6 (Blackwood 95) West Indies won by four wickets. Chasing 200 on the final day in Southampton, the tourists were reduced to 27-3 and lost opener John Campbell retired hurt, mainly to a fired-up Jofra Archer. But the nerveless Blackwood calmly combined with Roston Chase for a stand of 63, then added 68 with Shane Dowrich. England had chances to dismiss Blackwood. Ben Stokes failed to get a hand on a tough opportunity at slip off Dom Bess, gully Rory Burns and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler both dropped catches off Stokes, and Zak Crawley could not gather the ball in the covers when Blackwood and Chase got in a mix-up running a single. Stand-in captain Stokes threatened to inspire England yet again first by removing Dowrich, then Blackwood when only 11 were needed. But a limping Campbell returned to join captain Jason Holder and scamper the winning run. It means West Indies take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, while Stokes is condemned to defeat in his first match as skipper. Joe Root will return to lead England when the second behind-closed-doors Test begins at Old Trafford on Thursday. If the tourists avoid defeat there, they will retain the Wisden Trophy they earned with a series victory in the Caribbean 18 months ago. This fluctuating contest was a wonderful start to an international summer that for so long was threatened by the coronavirus pandemic. The only thing missing was a crowd. How might England have benefitted from home support as they pushed for victory in the still sunshine of a glorious Sunday afternoon. That is to take nothing away from the performance of West Indies, who once again impressed with their attitude, application and determination. In the first part of this match, the tourists were quicker than England to adapt to the conditions, atmosphere and lack of preparation. For England, debate will surround the decision to omit Stuart Broad in favour of the extra pace of Archer and Mark Wood, but it was Archer's performance that kept them in the hunt on the final day. In reality, they paid the price for being bowled out for only 204 in their first innings.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 14, 2020 18:55:36 GMT
SECOND TEST 16/7/2020 TO 20/7/2020 OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER
|
|
|
Post by apm51054 on Jul 15, 2020 14:01:25 GMT
Denly dropped
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 15, 2020 15:19:51 GMT
Anderson and Wood also out, Curran and Robinson added
|
|