Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
ENG vs WI 1st Test: Key talking points from a thrilling return
After a four-month hiatus, Test cricket was not only back, but back at its absolute gripping best. This game is going to be remembered for so much more than just the match that kickstarted international cricket. Rather, we’ll remember it for the action on the field.
It was tense. It ebbed-and-flowed. Both sides could win heading into the final session. ODI and T20 cricket can provide some amazing moments, but Test cricket creates memories that last a lifetime. It’s a different feeling. Such a brilliant feeling. And it’s great to have it back.
The action at Southampton was to provide answers to the most pressing questions. What will cricket look like after the enforced COVID-19 break? How will Ben Stokes fare as captain? Can West Indies give England trouble, as they have done over the past few years?
Some of the quality of cricket was reason for improvement for both sides, but the ebb-and-flow in a competitive battle always made for gripping viewing. Here, we will discuss the five key talking points from this match, and what this result means for this series and the fortunes of both sides in the near future.

1. Mature, patient and disciplined West Indies performance
We could start with England, but that would be unfair on the West Indies. A side led by Jason Holder is always going to have fighting qualities about it, and they showed it in spades even as England sought to get on top in the final two days.
Any statement needs to be backed up by evidence. The greatest evidence is Jermaine Blackwood. Case closed. Hampered by his tendency to get carried away, and under fire after his first innings dismissal, Blackwood produced a fourth-innings masterclass that all West Indians would be proud of. Coming in a precarious 27/3, with another batsman having retired hurt, Blackwood curbed natural insticts and fought for the cause.
The “that’s the way I play” excuse went out the window. After all, “you bat according to the conditions under which you are playing. If you do not, you will not be successful,” said Michael Holding in commentary. He is 100% right. And Blackwood delivered.
However, the Windies’ mature, patient and disciplined display was not only limited to their batting. The magical “20 wickets” figure is one spoken of day in, day out, and the Windies bowlers delivered in contrasting conditions, justifying their somewhat risky call to leave out Rakheem Cornwall. Jason Holder seamed his way through the English lineup on a track perfectly suited to his bowling. But, as the pitch dried out and movement was at a premium, Shannon Gabriel delivered five second innings wickets (nine in total) to give the Windies great hope heading into the fourth innings. Hope that turned into a 1-0 series lead.

2. England’s decision-making comes back to haunt them
Questionable decisions have a big price attached to them. The risk vs. reward stakes are high. Get it right, and you look like a genius. Get it wrong, however, and the criticism will be rife. In the end, two major England decisions came back to haunt them.
The first, the toss. Winning the toss and batting first with such an inexperienced top four saw the line between bravery and stupidity just about cross paths. The decision didn’t pay off, as England crawled to 204 all-out in conditions that James Anderson in particular would have loved. All of a sudden, they were playing catch up, even more so given that the sun would be out for the remainder of the Test match.
Second, the Stuart Broad decision. Sure, England want to develop their pace stocks to enhance performance overseas, but this surface was crying out for Broad’s experience. Worse, Broad has been England’s best Test bowler over the past 12 months, taking 23 wickets at 26 in the Ashes and then leading the way for England to win in South Africa. Broad wasn’t happy, as millions of fans were perplexed at the decision.
Also read: Stuart Broad takes aim at selectors

3. England continue to struggle to convert starts
We’re back after a four-month hiatus, but the same England problem remains. Their inability to convert starts shone through once again in this Test, highlighting the struggles this side faces in carrying on.
Since the start of 2018, England’s top seven batsmen have been dismissed 112 times between 20 and 49. They have scored 50 or more on 64 occasions, with just 17 of those converted into centuries.
So, with a 50-100 conversion rate of 26.56%, it is no wonder why England continue to remain inconsistent in Test cricket. There were six scores of 20+ among England’s top seven in this Test, with two reaching half centuries before getting out. Joe Denly once again highlighted his struggles between 20 and 49, and is likely to be the one who makes way for Joe Root in the second Test.
4. Three DRS reviews works wonders as umpires struggle
Thank goodness for DRS, right? 22 decisions were reviewed in this Test, with nine overturned. Incredibly, West Indies had seven decisions overturned in their favour, which certainly was crucial in getting them over the line.
While the move to three reviews worked a charm, the umpires will be out for a better second Test. One must also sympathise with the umpires during these challenging times, but better should still be expected, particularly from the likes of Richard Kettleborough.
5. Swing limited. Time for an artificial substance to be introduced?
We saw a cracking Test match. However, swing was limited, and questions must be asked of how this will impact the game moving forward.
According to CricViz, in the first innings, West Indies took advantage of moisture and generated an average of 1.1 degrees of swing. England, in their first innings, managed just 0.6, even with the swing king James Anderson in their ranks.
Of course, saliva is banned, but what happens when a pitch has less in it for the bowlers? Or if the weather is not warm enough for a sufficient amount of perspiration to seep through? Swing is a crucial part of the game, and the ICC needs to continue to brainstorm ways to ensure this art remains in the game, otherwise the product will not make for good viewing.
Thanks for reading!
Also read:
- Stuart Broad takes aim at selectors
- Nasser Hussain unhappy with bad light rules
- CPL 2020 set for August 18
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