Worldwide cricket resumed after a four-month coronavirus shut down on Wednesday as England and West Indies gamers took a knee in assist of the Black Lives Matter motion below gray skies in Southampton. England stand-in captain Ben Stokes gained the toss following a rain delay and opted to bat however simply three overs have been attainable earlier than the climate intervened once more. The gamers gathered in a semi-circle on the pitch earlier than play began to watch 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 at least one knee in assist of the worldwide marketing campaign in opposition to racial injustice following the loss of life in the US of George Floyd in Could.
Each groups are carrying BLM logos on their shirts through the three-match sequence.
West Indies gamers additionally wore black gloves on their proper palms in an echo of the “Black Energy” protests made well-known by US athletes on the 1968 Mexico Metropolis Olympics.
Closed doorways
All three Exams are happening behind closed doorways, with the primary on the Ageas Bowl and the second two at Previous Trafford.
The morning was misplaced to rain and when play finally began, England misplaced Dom Sibley off the 10th ball, when he was bowled by Shannon Gabriel.
England have been 1-1 when rain stopped play. They got here again for seven balls and scored two extra runs earlier than rain stopped play for a second time.
Stokes, standing in for Joe Root, who’s lacking the primary Take a look at as a result of delivery of his second youngster, spoke of the joy forward of the restart of cricket.
“I do know everyone has been craving this, actually from a gamers’ viewpoint however I additionally assume from a spectators’ and followers’ view,” he stated on Tuesday. “This can be a huge event for lots of people.”
However the skipper stated the dearth of a crowd was no cause for England to let their requirements slip.
“We all know we’ve that accountability on our shoulders, to exit and do justice for all these individuals,” he stated.
Gamers and officers are staying at on-site motels to cease the unfold of COVID-19 and bowlers aren’t allowed to make use of saliva to shine the ball as a part of strict measures to regulate the unfold of coronavirus.
West Indies coach Phil Simmons praised English directors for staging the sequence.
“It is an enormous blueprint for the way cricket can transfer ahead,” stated Simmons, whose aspect quarantined and skilled at Previous Trafford from June 9 earlier than travelling south.
“We’re about to point out that different locations can begin placing issues collectively. The England and Wales Cricket Board must be counseled for all of the work they’ve carried out to get the sequence on the highway and let’s have a look at what different nations take from it.”
England omitted veteran paceman Stuart Broad, their second most profitable Take a look at 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 sluggish bowling in assist of a four-man tempo assault of Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph and captain Jason Holder.
West Indies haven’t gained a Take a look at sequence in England since 1988, however they maintain the Wisden Trophy after a 2-1 sequence win within the Caribbean final 12 months.
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