Welcome back to our live cricket blog and today is the first day of 3rd Test match between England and West Indies. With scores being 1-1, both teams have beautifully portrayed the techniques of cricket in the new normal.
West Indies dominated the hosts in the very first Test match, winning the same with a close margin. However, the second match was in England’s basket and they won by a considerably huge margin. The scores being equal, this game will be a decider.
England, however, must win this to reclaim the Wisden Trophy, whereas all West Indies need here is a draw to retain the win. This also is the last Test that will be played under the name of Wisden Trophy which will be retired after this Test. It will be renamed the Richards-Botham Trophy!
Whatever the end result maybe, this Test series will be remembered for more than one reason – primarily being resumption of international cricket post the Covid-19 pandemic forced break.
IT IS TOSS TIME!
And the Windies have opted to bowl, again! England have opted to play with an extra bowler, leaving our Crawley and Sam Curran for James Anderson and Jofra Archer. Rahkeem Cornwall returns for West Indies in place of Alzarri Joseph. Just the one change for them. Gabriel is fit, it seems.
With Jofra Archer returning to the England squad after being left out from the second Test match, his return will be a brain-teaser for the hosts in terms of bowling combination with three pacers to pick from the available six.
TEAMS:
England XI: Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Dom Bess, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
West Indies XI: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Shai Hope, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich(w), Jason Holder(c), Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel
GAME TIME! Here we go… Day 1 of the Final Test between England and West Indies.
Oh, and Sibley falls! Beautiful from Roach, trapping Sibley plumb in front for a duck! Sibley thinks about reviewing but nothing from the non-striker has him walking. West Indies strike in the opening over after opting to bowl. No Zak Crawley means Root will come in at No.3.
Wait, the Englishmen have called for a review. It’s for a leg-before call – this time against Root off Gabriel.West Indies review, but find the impact is outside off. Not out!
Not a welcoming sight for West Indies – Shannon Gabriel leaves the field after pulling out of a delivery. Looks like some discomfort in his calf. West Indies will hope it’s something minor. Just his fourth over. But not entirely surprising after watching him in the second Test.
Gabriel is back on the field!
AND THE WINDIES STRIKE BACK! Just when Root thought he was settling down after a precautions stay in the middle, a call for a quick run proved fatal. A direct hit from Roston Chase has caught the England skipper well short. He departs for 17. It is Lunch time now.
50 UP FOR ENGLAND.
We’re back after lunch and Burns dispatches the first ball for four.
Ooohhh, Gooooonne! Flawless from Roach! Sets up Stokes beautifully. Short, short and full – through the gates for his second wicket. Big wicket for West Indies, this. Stokes stands there in disbelief! Departs for 20.
Stay tuned as the action continues. Do you think West Indies can dominate England again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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