3 things to look forward to in ENG vs WI 1st Test
It's been about 10 days since the culmination of the T20 World Cup and the euphoria in India surrounding the Men in Blue’s victory is yet to die. Amid all the T20 actions with the Major League Cricket (MLC) and Lanka Premier League (LPL) happening simultaneously, it's time for the cricketing purist to enjoy the longest format of the game.
England is all set to host West Indies in a three-match Test series starting July 10 (Wednesday). Despite playing an ultra-aggressive brand of cricket which several cricketing pundits have appreciated, the reality is that England is having a tough time in the World Test Championship table, languishing at the bottom.
They were thrashed by India 4-1 earlier in the year and it's high time, the talks turn into action. Ben Stokes recently claimed that people who have witnessed this England team playing cricket are lucky. It's not the first time that the English skipper has made outrageous claims in press conferences and interviews.
Meanwhile, West Indies will be hoping to produce similar heroics from the tour of Australia earlier in the year. They defeated the much fancied Australian side in their own backyard to level the series 1-1. It was the contributions from the younger lot that helped the West Indies win a Test match in Australia after 27 years.
The Test series against England will provide them another opportunity to showcase their skills at the highest level. With about twenty hours to go for the first Test to commence, let us have a look at three things to look forward to in the opening Test at Lord's.
#3 England's approach after the results didn't go in their favor
Ever since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took over the coaching and captaincy duties of the England Test team, the approach of their batters has been a refreshing thing especially with T20 cricket taking center stage in the modern generation. Most of their batters have adopted an all-out approach and have been very successful in home conditions.
However, the results haven't quite gone their way in the recent past. They drew the Ashes 2-2 at home before going down to India 1-4. Despite Ben Stokes and McCullum coming out publicly and supporting their batter’s approach, the individuals might just tend to mold their ultra-aggressive style and try to get back to winning rhythm.
There has to be a method behind England’s madness and it might be time they tweak their approach ever so slightly. Whether or not they apply it in the upcoming Test series against West Indies remains to be seen but it's high time England start winning series, especially in their home conditions.
#2 The enigma of Shamar Joseph
One of the rising superstars of West Indies cricket, Shamar Joseph will be one of the talking points in the three-match Test series. If he remains fit for the full Test series, it will be a fascinating battle against the English batters who predominantly like taking on the bowlers at any given point in the game.
Joseph became a household name in the international circuit after his memorable debut in the tour Down Under earlier in the year. Joseph ran in fast and troubled most of the Australian batters during the two match series
He had a dream start to his career, bagging the wicket of Steve Smith on the very first ball. However, it was his breathtaking bowling in the final Test that propelled West Indies to a fascinating victory at the Gabba in Perth. Joseph ran through the Australian batting lineup on the final day of the Test, finishing with figures of 7/68. He breathed fire and bamboozled the Aussies all through the two Tests.
#3 The end of an incredible Test career for James Anderson
The opening Test at Lord's will mark the end of an incredible Test career for James Anderson who will finish as the leading wicket-taker among pacers in the longest format and the second-highest after Muthiah Muralitharan. It's the longevity that makes Anderson such a special player.
Ahead of his retirement, Anderson expressed the fact that he feels he is bowling as well as he ever did in his career but the time had to come eventually. He totally supported the England team management’s decision to look beyond the veteran fast bowler who has been an integral part of the England red ball set-up in the last two decades. He will certainly look to end his illustrious career on a high.