A sport is an ideal model for a Utopian society where everything happens by the rule-book and if not, it is fairly penalized, a scenario that eludes us in day-to-day life. This sense of satisfaction that we get while watching a just-system in motion is one of the major reasons for the widespread following of a sport. Sports are flag bearers of several ideal values of a society. The first test between England and West Indies began on one such positive note when everyone involved with the game took a knee in solidarity with the black lives matter movement. Also, a minute silence was observed for all the Corona warriors who lost their lives serving humanity as well as for the West Indies legend Sir Everton Weekes.

The highly anticipated return of cricket post-Covid 19 pandemic had to wait to commence, as the English weather, true to its uncertain nature, didn’t allow much action on Day 1. The debutant captain Ben Stokes chose to bat after winning the toss. However, he had the first taste of captaincy even before that when he left experienced Stuart Broad out of the playing XI preferring Anderson, Archer, and Wood as his pace battery. England didn’t have an ideal start as the wickets column opened its account before the runs column. Sibley left an incoming Gabriel delivery, only to hear the death rattle of misjudgment. Burns and No. 3 Denly saw the 17.4 over day off safely with 35 onboard.

Day 2

Change of day didn’t change the fortune of English batsmen as overnight batsmen Denly and Burns were back to pavilion soon when an incoming Gabriel delivery found enough space between Denly’s bat and pad to disturb the stumps while Burn’s pad was found obstructing ball’s path towards the stumps on review by Gabriel. Crawley and Pope fell soon to Holder reducing England to 87/5. Now captain Ben Stokes was joined by his deputy Jos Buttler and together they steadied the ship for a while. A 67-run partnership ornamented by some elegant shots, ended when Holder removed his counterpart by a beauty that angled in but seemed away, almost squaring Stokes in his walk-drive, only to edge it behind. Buttler followed him soon. England were bundled out for mere 204 with captain Holder leading from the front with the figures of 6/42, proving why he is so highly ranked.

Windies 1^st innings

Unlike England, West Indies got off to a decent start with Campbell and Brathwaite putting on 43 runs before the former got out lbw to Anderson. A loose drive cost Hope(16) his wicket off Bess’ off-spinner that slightly drifted away, but not before a 59-run partnership. Meanwhile, Brathwaite brought up the first half-century of the match. He perished for 65 when by barest of margins, umpire’s call went against him. Decent contributions from Brooks (39), Chase(47), and a stroke-filled half-century down the order by Dowrich took the Windies to 318, ensuring 114 runs lead. Stokes bagged 4 wickets, Anderson three while Archer went wicketless.

England 2^nd innings

The English opening pair Burns and Sibley, both with extravagant trigger movements and backlift, put on a better show in the second attempt. They saw off the fast bowlers and were looking good for plenty when Burns cut a short ball from Chase straight in the waiting hands of Campbell at the point. Sibley got strangled down the leg side off Gabriel’s delivery just after completing his half-century and getting a reprieve off the previous ball. At the fall of Denly(29)’s wicket captain Stokes joined Crawley in the middle and what followed was a collage of remarkable strokes, especially the on and cover drives by Stokes. England’s score went past 250 and was well set to post a formidable target for Windies, however a spell of proper fast bowling late in the day from Joseph and Gabriel with the second new ball, paved the way for Windies’ comeback. 98 run partnership was broken by Holder when he accounted for his counterpart once again, 4 short of his 50. Top scorer Crawley(76) soon followed caught and bowled off Joseph. England ended day 4 at 284/8.

The new normal: Covid-19 effects

In cricket, an elegant shot or a peach of a delivery or a brilliant effort in the field is often punctuated by applause from spectators. The viewers/listeners are quite habituated to that noise. That’s why at times a pre-recorded spectators’ noise is added to a telecast when the commentators are not physically present at the venue of the match. It was quite odd to miss that sound. Players were quite vigilant not to use saliva to shine the ball and initially, they tried to replace high fives with elbow and fist pumps but out of habit mostly ended up hi-fiving to celebrate a wicket. Also, an extra DRS review meant teams were ready to take more chances and it really paid off as a lot of decisions were overturned by the third umpire especially in favor of Windies.

The final day

We know we are in for a treat when entering into the last day of a test match, all 4 results are possible. West Indies completed the formalities and removed the last two wickets, who couldn’t provide much resistance. They were given a target of 200. They were confident to chase it given they chased 322 at Headingley in 2017 on the back of brilliant performances from Hope and Brathwaite. England pacers had different ideas, they came out all their guns blazing, especially Archer, with his raw pace and mean short balls troubled the top order. He sent Brathwaite and Brooks back cheaply and his toe crusher compelled Campbell to retire. Wood cleaned up Hope, after two delightful boundaries, reducing Windies to 27/3. But then came Blackwood, back in the team after an impressive domestic season, to join Chase in the middle. The start was tentative but he rode his luck to keep the fall of wickets in check and kept runs flowing as well. His crucial partnerships with Chase(37), Dowrich(20), and Holder took the team to a comfortable position and an eventual win. He perished 5 runs short of a well deserved century with exact dismissal as in 1st innings- unable to clear mid-off with his lofted drive.

West Indies dominated the game mostly but England too had enough chances that kept them and our interest in the game alive. Shannon Gabriel was adjudged Man of the Match for his match-winning effort of 9/137.