ENG vs WI 1st Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

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Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11 Preview Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Today | England vs West Indies 1st Test Preview Dream11 | ENG vs WI 1st Test Key Players | Southampton Pitch Report

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It’s back. The fans won’t be present, but it’s back. Players can’t shine the ball in ways they are used to, but it’s back. Bio-secure environments are a necessity at the moment, but it’s back. Sanitisers, focus on hygiene and social distancing are the norm, but it’s back.

International cricket, after a four-month hiatus, is back. And isn’t it sweet relief to cricket lovers all over the globe.

England will be without their beloved home fans, often their 12th man in home Tests. A year on from moments etched in English cricket history such as the World Cup Final and Headingley Test, England, and cricket in general, face a whole other challenge. The star man of last summer, Ben Stokes, will lead his country for the first time in the absence of Joe Root, as England look to make a positive start to life after the COVID-19 break.

Could the absence of crowds give West Indies an edge? Coach Phil Simmons believes so, stating clearly that the Windies are out to not only compete, but retain the trophy after beating England at home last year. However, England in England is a completely different challenge, and with inexperience right throughout their side, their key players must step up.

ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11 Preview Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report |  ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Today | England vs West Indies 1st Test Preview Dream11 | ENG vs WI 1st Test Key Players | Southampton Pitch Report
ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11: Ben Stokes will lead England for the first time.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

  • Shai Hope is crucial to West Indies’ chances. He was superb on his last Test tour in 2017, scoring 375 runs at 75.00, headlined by a superb century to seal a stunning chase of 322 at Headingley.
  • However, his last two years in Tests have been poor (averages of 20.23 and 19.75 in 2018 and 2019 respectively). So, can he come good now?
  • Joe Root is out of this Test, so onus is on the England openers to make a good start.
  • Dominic Sibley is set to play his first home Test. He has had a solid start to his career, with 362 runs at 40.22 in six matches, including 133* earlier this year in South Africa.
  • Rory Burns, who scored a respectable 380 runs at 38.00 in last year’s Ashes, will partner him. Burns will be out to improve on his record of 145 runs at 24.16 vs West Indies.
  • Kraigg Brathwaite had a solid tour of England in 2017: 3 Tests, 283 runs, avg. 47.16. Can he make an impact in this series?
  • Ollie Pope is certainly one to watch for England. He top-scored in the second innings (Team Buttler) in the recent warmup game, and had a superb series vs SA earlier this year (266 runs, avg. 88.66).
  • Of course, how can we leave out Ben Stokes? England’s star all-rounder has hit 1,090 runs since the beginning of 2019 (avg. 47.39) and 30 wickets (avg. 32.60).
  • On the opposing side, Jason Holder will be crucial for West Indies. Since West Indies’ 2017 tour of England, Holder has transformed himself into one of the finest all-rounders in world cricket.
  • Holder has taken 57 Test wickets at an average of 17.58 since then. In addition, he plundered a superb double century against England in the West Indies last year.
  • James Anderson is back in England’s Test setup. He has the ninth-most Test wickets in England-West Indies Test matches (82) at a superb average of 22.15. In 2017, he blew West Indies away with 19 wickets at 14.10.
  • Kemar Roach has taken 71 wickets at an average of 21.28 since August 2017, which is better than the likes of James Anderson and Trent Boult over the same period. Also, he has 42 wickets in 10 Tests vs England (avg. 26.59).
  • Stuart Broad still has plenty to offer at home, with his 2019 Ashes campaign (23 wickets, avg. 26.63) proof of that. Jofra Archer (home avg. 20.27) and Chris Woakes (home avg. 23.45) are both good options for England.
ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11 Preview Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report |  ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Today | England vs West Indies 1st Test Preview Dream11 | ENG vs WI 1st Test Key Players | Southampton Pitch Report
ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11: Shai Hope will be key for Windies.

Stats and Facts

  • The first Test match at the Rose Bowl in Southampton took place in 2011. England have won two of the three Tests at the ground (latest vs India in 2018 by 60 runs).
  • Jos Buttler scored a crucial 69 in the second innings of that match in 2018.
  • The first innings scores at the ground read: 184, 569/7 dec. and 246. The team batting first avoided defeat in all three Tests (two wins, one draw).

Possible Playing XI

England will persist with Joe Denly at three, despite the promising performances of Dan Lawrence and James Bracey in the Team Buttler vs Team Stokes warmup match.

Also, England have a call to make regarding their attack. Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, James Anderson, Mark Wood and Stuart Broad are all in the squad for this Test, but two will likely make way. There are whispers that Broad will make way in this Test, with England to rotate in the coming Tests. Another option is to leave Crawley out and bat Woakes at seven.

England Possible XI: 1. Rory Burns, 2. Dominic Sibley, 3. Joe Denly, 4. Zak Crawley, 5. Ben Stokes (c), 6. Ollie Pope, 7. Jos Buttler (wk), 8. Chris Woakes/Jofra Archer, 9. Dom Bess, 10. Stuart Broad/Mark Wood, 11. James Anderson

Shimron Hetmyer, Darren Bravo and Keemo Paul made themselves unavailable for this tour. So, West Indies could go with Jermaine Blackwood at five to give them extra batting depth, with three pace options including skipper Jason Holder. Or, they could go with Oshane Thomas for that pace factor.

West Indies Possible XI: 1. Kraigg Brathwaite, 2. John Campbell, 3. Shamarh Brooks, 4. Shai Hope, 5. Jermaine Blackwood, 6. Roston Chase, 7. Shane Dowrich (wk), 8. Jason Holder (c), 9. Rakheem Cornwall, 10. Kemar Roach, 11. Shannon Gabriel

Rose Bowl Southampton Pitch Report and Conditions

The Southampton track had something in it for both seamers and spinners in the last Test at the ground, in 2018. With spinners enjoying success at the ground (i.e. Moeen Ali), both sides should look to play a spinner. Also, with tight measures around maintaining the ball, expect the pitch to have some assistance for the bowlers, particularly early in the Test.

The forecast for Southampton is a chance of some showers on days one and two.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11 Preview Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report |  ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Today | England vs West Indies 1st Test Preview Dream11 | ENG vs WI 1st Test Key Players | Southampton Pitch Report
ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11 Preview Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report |  ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Today | England vs West Indies 1st Test Preview Dream11 | ENG vs WI 1st Test Key Players | Southampton Pitch Report
ENG vs WI 1st Test Dream11 Prediction

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Match Prediction

The new cricket will take some adjusting to. However, it is great to see Test cricket return.

England start as favourites in this one, and with their fine record at home in recent years, they should come away with victory.

Thanks for reading!