The resumption of international cricket post-COVID-19 hiatus saw hosts England face off against West Indies at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday.
The toss was delayed due to persistent rain. After a couple of hours of delay, England managed to win the toss and opted to bat first.
However, before the start of play, all cricketers went down on one knee to come in support of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign.
The match also saw the West Indies cricket team don the logo of the ‘Black Live Matter’ campaign on their jerseys.
All fielders, bowlers and the English batsmen went down on one knee and fist clenched gesture for about 20 seconds to display their solidarity for the campaign.
The gesture is a common norm ahead of the start of play in ‘Project Restart’ of English Premier League (EPL).
Here’s the video:
England and West Indies players take a knee ahead of the first #EngvWI Test in support of #BlackLivesMatter
Watch live on Sky Sports Cricket now or follow here: https://t.co/ZUqX1InU7t pic.twitter.com/avR3aFUiTj
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 8, 2020
After three overs of play on Day 1, light drizzles forced covers to come on and stop the game. West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel managed to castle Dominic Sibley who was dismissed on knot. Before interruption due to rain, England were 1/1 after three overs.
Here’s the playing XI:
England
Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly, Zak Crawley, Ben Stokes (c), Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Dominic Bess, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, James Anderson.
West Indies
John Campbell, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder (c), Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel.
