As cricket matches returned back to the stadiums after 117 days if sabbatical due to Covid-19, the first day on the pitch can be declared both as sweet and sour. Resumption of the match after such a long time is a great sign for Cricket fans. However, matches due to safety protocols matches will be held in empty stadiums- with no spectators. Matches can be seen live on your television sets.
Day 1 of the first England vs West Indies Test match at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton was disrupted by rain and bad lights forcing umpires to call for stumps. However, before rain interrupted the match there were few delightful moments.
Host stand-in captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bat first. Shannon Gabriel cleaned up England’s opener Sibley for a duck. After that initial wicket, Joe Denly and Rory Burns' partnership took England to 35 for 1 in 17.4 overs. Burns contributed 20 runs in 55 balls whereas Denly contributed 14 runs in 48 balls. Bad light forced the players to take an early tea, with rain and more gloom ensuring that play doesn’t resume after that.
Just before the start of the game, there were inspiring scenes when players of both the teams and officials took the knee in support of Black lives movement started after the death of George Floyd in America. A Black Lives Matter logo also was on the collar of the test shirts worn by players from both teams.
There was a minute’s silence observed in honor of those who died in the coronavirus pandemic and also West Indies great Everton Weekes, who died last week.