New era for cricket as historic England-West Indies series begins

International sport finally returns to Britain on Wednesday when England plays West Indies in world's first cricket test match since start of March because of coronavirus pandemic. It's clear match being std at as Bowl in Southampton is about much more than just cricket. A smoothly run test series, played in a strict isolated environment featuring repeated COVID-19 testing and social distancing, can lay blueprint for future matches and tours in cricket but also events in or sports targeting a resumption.

New era for cricket 

If you get one thing wrong, it might blow this whole 'getting sport back onto radar' furr back, England stand-in captain Ben Stokes said on Tuesday in his eve-of-game news conference. Stokes also spoke about responsibility on our shoulders to deliver a massive occasion for TV viewers who have been without international cricket for four months. I kw everyone has been craving this from a player's point of view, he said, but also I think from a spectator's and fan's point of view. And n re's mess England and West Indies players want to send about equality in sport and society in general in wake of Black Lives Matter movement.

A BLM logo will be on collar of test shirts worn by players from both teams and re is set to be a gesture made by teams before game. West Indies players have said movement is a source of motivation on this tour. t only has this been a period for us getting ready for a test match, Stokes said, it has also been great for us to have educational chats as a team around this and it has been really beneficial for a lot of our members.

I feel as a team we have an opportunity to send a real powerful mess and I am really excited as an individual, and team is really excited, that we are able to be a part of that.  Cricket's oldest format kicks off a very new era for sport. One where re are spectators at matches, one-way systems inside venues to maintain distancing, twice-weekly testing for coronavirus, and players t allowed out of ir hotels. Players from two teams will come into vaguely close contact with each or only on field of play.

TV viewers will have choice of adding a so-called Lord's hum during cover, but re will be artificial crowd ise in ground or music between overs, ensuring an eerie silence once match begins except for selective anuncements over public address system about things such as milestones or bowling changes. big screens around venue will show key highlights, DRS and sponsor messs. West Indies squad has been here since June 9 in order that players could first quarantine at Manchester's Old Trafford ground and n practise re in lockdown conditions. y had two intra-squad matches  England has had only one  before squad travelled to Southampton for match.

We're about to show that or places can start putting things toger, West Indies coach Phil Simmons said.  England and Wales Cricket Board have to be commended for all work y have done to get series on road and let's see what or countries take from it. Simmons has had to self-isolate in his hotel room for a period after leaving camp to attend his far-in-law's funeral last week. England's buildup has been interrupted, too, by captain Joe Root having to leave camp to be at birth of his second child. He will t feature in first of three tests, meaning Stokes has captaincy for first time.

I haven't had much advice but re has been a lot of opinions flying around, Stokes said. best mess that I have received was when I got my photos done yesterday in blazer. Rooty just left a mess on hanger which said: 'Do it your way.'  West Indies has t won a test series in England since 1988 but team is holder of Wisden Trophy after a 2-1 victory in Caribbean last year. or two tests take place in Manchester, starting July 16 and 24.

Im credits: AP