The first Test between England and West Indies at Ageas Bowl in Southampton witnessed the resumption of in✅ternational cricket post-four-month long COVID-19 hiatus.
The hosts were surprised b🐎y the visitors who displayed tremendous character in all five days 🔜of the game, coming out triumphant by four-wickets.
England had to answer to incisive spells from captain Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel as well as the 💞resolute of Jermaine Blackwood who scored a dazzling 95.
The 🍌match also saw Ben Stokes being appointed as the 81st captain of the 𒁃England Test squad.
Stokes was nominated as the stand-in captain in place of Joe Root, who had to miss out the first Test, due to the birth of his second c💛hild.
Mor⛄eover, Root is all set to return for the second Test match at Old Trafford in Manchester, starting July 16.
“We’re allౠ desperate to see Joe do really well. But obviously he’s under pressure a little bit,” England head coach Chris Si🙈lverwood said.
Joe Denly will likely face🎃 the axe with Zak Crawley’s impressive performance in the second inning of the So🌱uthampton Test.
“Zak is improving constantly. I thiꦑnk he certainly showed maturity and the innings he played was vꦦery good,” Silverwood added.
Durin🐬g the match, Stokes and Co. made an interesting selection decision by leaving out Stuart Br👍oad.
Also, the think tank’s affinity to give repeated opportunities to Jos Buttler, desp𝔉ite a slump in form, has been put under the scanner.
“First and foremost we want to give Jos the best opportunity to succeed. He just needs to go and make those big scores now doesn’t he? He knows that as well.” Silverwood co♒ncluded.
England is scheduled to host a three-match Test ser🐼ies against Pakistan following the Windies tour.
