WI vs ENG | 1st Test | Preview, Predictions, Squads, Match Details and Fantasy XI

After a 3-2 defeat in the T20I series in January, England will kick off their three-match Test series campaign at the renowned Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua on Tuesday. 

This is going to be England’s first Test series post 4-0 Ashes defeat in Australia. Things haven’t been rosy for them as Ashley Giles (ECB’s managing director) and Chris Silverwood (England’s former coach) resigned from their respective post after the humiliating defeat against the Kangaroo’s.

Moreover, the England cricket team has axed the premier fast bowling duo of  James Anderson and Stuart Broad from the series. To rub salt to the injury, the tall lanky paceman Ollie Robinson is set to miss the 1st Test due to back-spasm. That leaves out Chris Woakes and Mark Wood spearheading the pace-attack alongside either Saqib Mahmood or Craig Overton.

ECB has also opted out of players like Dawid Malan, Haseeb Hameed, Jos Buttler, and Dom Bess who were a regular part of the squad in the last few series. This might lead to a very inexperienced English batting alongside competent batters like Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, and Ben Stokes.

It is also worth noting that county hero Alex Lees might be offered an opportunity at the top of the order in the upcoming red-ball series.

On the flip side, this is going to be the first Test series for West Indies since 2021, where they were at the receiving end of a 0-2 whitewash against Sri Lanka. The Caribbean side lost the first Test by 187 runs and the second by 164 runs. 

Their focus now shifted towards the white-ball format and the Calypso power worked well to beat England 3-2 in the 5-match T20 series but failed to work against India, as the latter white-washed them in both ODI and T20 series.

Both sides are struggling in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle (2021-2023) and must be keen on collecting valuable points from the Richard-Botham series. With a series of actions in the near past, the tourists will be under the belt with an inexperienced side. While the Windies’ are likely to be far more competitive on their home turf. The match is all set to commence from 10:00 am local time.

Match Details:

West Indies vs England- Richards-Botham Trophy

Date and Time- March 8, 2022, 10:00 am local time and 7:30 pm IST 

Venue- Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

Broadcast- Live streaming will be available on FanCode mobile app in India

Pitch report:

The last two Test matches played at this venue have ended up in a draw but this pitch has historically been favourable for the batters. The new ball might seam and swing on the first day but as the game will progress to the second and third day, the cracks in the pitch might widen and it is expected to offer some spin for spinners.

Weather forecast:

The temperature in Antigua is expected to hover around 27°C with hardly any chances of precipitation.

Squads:

West Indies

Kraigg Brathwaite(c), Jermaine Blackwood, Shammarh Brooks, Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva, Alzarri Joseph, Veerasammy Permaul, Anderson Phillip, Kumar Roach, Jayden Seals

England

Joe Root(c), Jonny Bairstow, Zak Crawly, Matthew Fisher, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Works, Mark Wood

Probable Playing XI:

West Indies

Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Shamarh Brooks, Nkrumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers, John Campbell, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales

England

Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Dan Lawrence, Ben Foakes, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Mark Wood, Jack Leach

CE Fantasy XI:

Joe Root, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jermaine Blackwood, Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes, Jason Holder, Kemar Roach, Mark Wood, Alzarri Joseph, Jack Leach

Captain- Joe Root

Vice-Captain- Jason Holder