[ad_1]
International cricket resumed after a four-month coronavirus shutdown on Wednesday as England and West Indies gamers, who rekindled the highly effective imagery of clenched fists inside black gloves, took a knee beneath gray skies in Southampton in assist of the worldwide marketing campaign towards racial injustice. Only 82 minutes’ play was attainable on a day marred by rain and unhealthy gentle interruptions after weeks of superb sunshine in Britain. England stand-in captain Ben Stokes gained the toss after unhealthy climate meant the morning session was washed out. The gamers gathered in a semi-circle on the pitch earlier than play began to look at a minute’s silence in reminiscence of the victims of the coronavirus and West Indies nice Everton Weekes, who died final week on the age of 95.
They then dropped to one knee in assist of the Black Lives Matter marketing campaign following the loss of life within the United States of George Floyd in May.
West Indies gamers wore black gloves on their proper arms in an echo of the “Black Power” protests made well-known by US athletes on the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
Both groups are carrying BLM logos on their shirts in the course of the three-match sequence.
Closed doorways
All three Tests are happening behind closed doorways at “bio-secure” grounds, with the primary on the Ageas Bowl and the second two at Old Trafford.
When play ultimately began, England misplaced Dom Sibley off the 10th ball, when he was bowled for a duck by Shannon Gabriel after not taking part in a shot.
England had been then none for one however had moved on to 35 for one when, after two rain stoppages, unhealthy gentle pressured an early tea although the floodlights had been on.
Recalled opener Rory Burns was 20 not out and Joe Denly 14 not out when play was finally abandoned for the day at 6:11 pm (1711 GMT).
Stokes, standing in for Joe Root, who’s lacking the primary Test because of the start of his second baby, spoke of the thrill forward of the restart of cricket.
“I know everybody has been craving this, certainly from a players’ point of view but I also think from a spectators’ and fans’ view,” he mentioned on Tuesday. “This is a massive occasion for a lot of people.”
But the skipper mentioned the dearth of a crowd was no cause for England to let their requirements slip.
“We know we have that responsibility on our shoulders, to go out and do justice for all those people,” he added.
Players and officers are staying at on-site inns to cease the unfold of COVID-19 and bowlers should not allowed to make use of saliva to shine the ball as a part of strict measures to manage the unfold of the virus.
West Indies coach Phil Simmons praised directors for staging the sequence.
“It’s a huge blueprint for how cricket can move forward,” mentioned Simmons, whose aspect quarantined and educated at Old Trafford from June 9 earlier than travelling south.
“We’re about to show that other places can start putting things together. The England and Wales Cricket Board have to be commended for all the work they have done to get the series on the road and let’s see what other countries take from it.”
England overlooked veteran paceman Stuart Broad, their second most profitable Test bowler behind James Anderson, who did begin, in addition to Chris Woakes.
Promoted
West Indies omitted specialist spinner Rahkeem Cornwall, with batsman Roston Chase to offer some gradual bowling in assist of a four-man tempo assault of Kemar Roach, Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph and captain Jason Holder.
West Indies haven’t gained a Test sequence in England since 1988, however they maintain the Wisden Trophy after a 2-1 sequence win within the Caribbean final yr.
Topics talked about on this article
[ad_2]
Source link