England vs West Indies: England win toss and chose to bat in a rain-curtailed Day 1

Every cricket fan is glued to their TV set as the International cricket finally returns after 3 months when England hosts West Indies for a three-test match series starting from today. 

The first test match of the series is scheduled to start from today at Southampton. As per the reports, the pitch would favour the spinners, however, both the teams have opted to have as many fast bowlers. 

The match will be played under the closed doors with all the new rules i.e., Restricting the use of saliva on the cricket ball, celebrating wicket through elbow dabs, changing the cricket ball after a few overs, and sanitizing the ground before and after the play.

If this Test Match becomes successful for the next 4 days it will open doors for other cricket playing nations to see their favourite team competing behind closed doors. Meanwhile, in the absence of the regular skipper Joe Root, all-rounder Ben Stokes will be leading the side in this test match. Joe Root opted out of the first test as he is awaiting the birth of his second child but he is expected to join the squad before the 2nd test starting from July 16. 

Talking about the first day of the match, the toss was delayed due to the showers in Southampton. The officials had to call for an early lunch session as the rain continued to cause delay for the toss. Meanwhile, the Umpires continued to monitor the rain and pitch inspection. The toss finally took place and England won the toss as they chose to bat first in a rain-curtailed first day of the first test. 

Taking about the playing XI of both sides are described below:

West Indies playing 11: John Campbell, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder (capt), Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel.

England playing 11: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly, Zak Crawley, Ben Stokes(c), Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(w), Dominic Bess, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, James Anderson.

This series will mark the beginning of Test summer and since there have been no county matches played at Rose Bowl Stadium, the Southampton pitch is expected to provide a little bit of extra juice on Day 1.