This is going to be a historical series.
It will be the first Test series in a COVID-19-affected world. This means no fans, no cricket ball shining and for the Windies, no travelling around.
But we have still the spearheads of James Anderson and Stuart Broard against Jason Holder and Kemar Roach bustling through.
Recap of the last series in the Caribbean
Well, in the last series, which was back in early 2019, the Windies won the Wisden Trophy for the first time since 2009. England were favourites but were outplayed, especially in the first Test, which saw another famous English batting collapse in the Caribbean as they were rattled for a mere 77.
England never really got into this series while the Windies performed incredibly well. Captain Jason Holder led from the front with bat and ball. A lot has happened since this series and it will be completely different from the series in the Caribbean.
Jason Holder. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
England’s form
England are in an interesting position since their last Test series was in South Africa, where they won three matches to one and played superbly well.
The likes of Ollie Pope and Dom Sibley performed above their expected level. In the bowling department, James Anderson rolled back the clock with multiple five-wicket hauls.
Overall, this series was a great win for England, helping them climb up the points in the ICC Test Championship. It has been a long time between drinks for England due to a cancelled tour to Sri Lanka, due to COVID-19. England will be looking to regain the Wisden Trophy on home soil and will be hoping the home-ground advantage will help in winning the series.
Key player: Ben Stokes
Stokes is key for England as he is a game-changer with both bat and ball. He will be hungrier than ever to perform well and is an X-factor in this team.
He is someone who flips Test cricket on its head, so I am not surprised when Joe Root hands him the ball to get the crucial wicket or when England need a crucial century with the bat. Stokes will stand up and help England return the Wisden Trophy.
Ben Stokes. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
West Indies’ form
For the Windies, it is tricky to judge where they are at due to the fact they have not played a Test match since late 2019 against Afghanistan.
The Windies are looking to retain the Wisden Trophy in England for the first time since 1995. It seems like the Windies are determined to make this series a lot more competitive than the last series in England, which saw England dominate. The Windies have named a preliminary 25-man squad for the series and will be wanting to start with a bang.
Key player: Jason Holder
The captain for the Windies has been impressive and has great talent. Holder is a major player for the Windies with the bat, especially as the top order has been known to crumble and has left Holder to pick up the pieces.
Moreover, he is a key due to the fact of his leadership he will give to the team and his bowling as he knows to take the crucial wickets. Holder will have to lead to the front if the Windies want to retain the Wisden Trophy.
Where is the Test series being held?
8-12 July 2020 – first Test will be held at Rose Bowl, Southampton.
16-20 July 2020 – second Test will be held at Old Trafford, Manchester.
24-28 July 2020 – third Test will be held at Old Trafford, Manchester.
My verdict is that England will win 2-1.
This is a world-first in Test cricket, so it is hard to pick who will win the series. With changed match conditions it could make the series exciting to watch.
England will have the upper hand due to fact they have a home-ground advantage and it will be a series that could be won at the toss. Moreover, the Windies will be rusty in the Test cricket format, which will favour England.
AREH
Roar Guru
You're quite right Dave, it has been Dowrich.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I believe Shane Dowrich has been the keeper for the last couple of years. Hope is the ODI keeper.
Edward Clarke
Guest
England . Burns, Sibley, Crawley, Root, Stokes, Pope, Bairstow, Archer, Bess, Broad, Anderson
AREH
Roar Guru
That's right and Keemo Paul, I believe. Hetmyer would have otherwise taken the gloves I presume? So perhaps now Shai Hope will have that task; unsure if/who else may?
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I think a couple of the Windies best batsmen - Darren Bravo and Hetmyer? - have pulled out over concerns over the coronavirus situation in England, so that’s going to make it even harder. Expect the Windies batsmen to struggle on English wickets. Don’t think a lot of English heads were too surprised about how Ollie Pope went in South Africa. He seems to be a big talent and we might be hearing a lot more of him. Pope averages over 60 in 36 first class games. The next best among the current England team is Root with 48. Stokes, Denley, Buttler, Bairstow, Crawley and Ali all average in the mid-30s.
Brian
Guest
I'd look to play all 3. Burns, Sibley, Crawley, Root, Stokes, Pope, Buttler, Archer, Bess, Broad, Anderson
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm not sure how anyone could confidently choose a winner of this series. In racing parlance these are two sides "coming back from a spell", with little or no real cricket under their belts in recent times. I'm not at all convinced about Zac Crawley as a Test opener. I'd have thought Rory Burns is a must to come back and open with Sibley. I also think there's plenty for Sibley to do to cement his place as Burns partner. Granted he scored a fine hundred in South Africa, but was underwhelming in New Zealand and if that hundred is excluded, only averaged 31 in South Africa. As with any team touring England, it'll probably be done to how well the Windies batsmen cope with the moving Dukes ball and assuming Anderson & Broad are fit, they'll be a handful. I'm also keen to see how Jofra Archer comes back. He seemed disinterested at times in New Zealand but in fairness, I don't think Root's tactic of overbowling him was the right way to use this guy. Experience in home conditions should lead to an England series win, but they are still a chance to crumble in one innings. If that's early on and the West Indies get a sniff, they've got enough talent in their side to really push Root's men. Should be a great 3 games.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Firstly, a massive round of applause to the West Indian Cricket Board for agreeing to come on this tour and to all the players who have chosen to play. You would be perfectly within your rights to say England were well on for retaking the Wisden Trophy and in home conditions this is likely. But the West Indies can turn things around on their day and should not be counted out. It'll be interesting to see how they (and England I suppose) perform. Hopefully, the opening partnership of Zak Crawley and Dominic Sibley remain because they showed great form in the South Africa series. Rory Burns could return from injury in this West Indies series but where he fits into the batting lineup is something to consider. Do you replace either Crawley or Sibley with Burns? Or not put Burns in at all because Crawley and Sibley are establishing themselves? Looking forward to the final XIs.