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England and West Indies will play a historic 3-Test series from July 8 which will mark the resumption of international cricket following the enforced break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
No international cricket has been played since March 13 as the novel coronavirus pandemic brought the sporting world to a grinding halt. After being deprived of more than 3 months of live cricketing action, the West Indies tour of England has generated a big buzz among the lovers of the sport.
The first of the 3-Test series will be played from July 8 at the Ageas Bowl while the 2nd and 3rd Test will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester from July 16 and July 24, respectively.
West Indies arrived in the UK as early as June and were in quarantine before playing the 2 intra-squad practice matches in Manchester. Meanwhile, England, who are gearing up to play under Ben Stokes’ captaincy in the first Test, began their 3-day intrasquad practice match at the Ageas Bowl on Wednesday.
As we gear up for what promises to be an exciting period of 7 weeks for cricket fans, indiatoday.in takes a look at the history between England and West Indies in Test cricket.
What happened when the two teams met last in a Test series?
West Indies, under Jason Holder, will be defending the Wisden Trophy that they reclaimed after a memorable 2-1 Test series win in West Indies in 2019. Holder’s men won in Bridgetown and North Sound to seal an unassailable 2-0 win after which England avoided a white-wash by clinching a 232-run in Gros Islet in the final Test of the series.
The stars of West Indies’ triumph were captain Holder and fast bowler Kemar Roach. While Holder topped the batting charts with 229 runs, including a high score of 202, in just 3 innings, Kemar Roach topped the bowling charts with 18 wickets, including a five-wicket haul that saw England getting rolled over for 77 in the first Test in Bridgetown.
When was the last time West Indies won a series in England?
If West Indies are to recreate their performances away from home in England, they have to overcome a 32-year-old streak against England.
West Indies have not managed to win a Test series in England since 1988. The last West Indies captain to win a Test series in England was Sir Vivian Richards when he led his team to a 4-0 triumph in the Old Blighty in 1998.
How have the West Indies performed in England over the last 32 years?
Ever since the equations have changed with England dominating West Indies in Tests at home. Since West Indies’ win in 1988, the two teams have met in England 32 times and West Indies have managed only 6 wins while losing 20 Tests.
Since 2000, West Indies have lost 6 successive Test series to England in England, including their recent meeting in 2017 which the hosts won 2-1.
What is their overall head-to-head record in Tests?
Over the years, legendary West Indies teams of the past have helped the former world champions dominate their Test head-to-head record against England.
Overall, West Indies and England have met 157 times in Tests with West Indies winning 57 of them and losing only 49.
25-year period: When West Indies did not lose a single Test series to England
There was a 25-year-long period between 1973 and 1998 wherein the West Indies completely dominated England in Tests. They had played 63 matches during the said period, winning 35 of them and losing just 8.
In 13 series played during the 25-year-old, West Indies won 10 and did not lose even one.
Even as that era of dominance is long gone, West Indies will be pumped up to give their best shot at breaking the streak in England when the upcoming 3-Test series gets underway with all eyes from across the cricket fraternity on it.
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