England take on the West Indies in the first Test of the summer at Lord’s, with all the pre-match conversations focused on James Anderson’s final farwell.
Anderson will make his 188th and final Test appearance for England at the Home of Cricket, and started the match with 700 wickets, just eight less than Shane Warne and comfortably second on the list of all-time wicket-takers in the format.
The West Indies secured a historic win against Australia, while England won just one Test match against India, as they fell to a 4-1 defeat in the difficult subcontinent conditions.
Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum elected to go with youth rather than experience for the match, handing debuts to Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith, while bidding farewell to Anderson.
England’s management already have one eye on the upcoming Ashes in 18 months, and want to give their young fast-bowling crop as much opportunity as possible to impress ahead of that series.
Follow all the latest live coverage of today’s match in the live blog below:
England vs West Indies
Gus Atkinson to Alick Athanaze. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Smith.
England vs West Indies
Ben Stokes to Mikyle Louis. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to backward point for no runs, fielded by Pope.
England vs West Indies
Ben Stokes to Mikyle Louis. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, missed for no runs, fielded by Smith.
England vs West Indies
Ben Stokes to Mikyle Louis. Out-swinging half volley, wide outside off stump on the front foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Smith.
England vs West Indies
Ben Stokes to Mikyle Louis. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Smith.
England vs West Indies
Ben Stokes to Mikyle Louis. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Smith.
England vs West Indies
Ben Stokes to Mikyle Louis. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to point for no runs, fielded by Pope.
England vs West Indies
Gus Atkinson to Alick Athanaze. Length ball, to leg on the back foot flick, mis-timed to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Anderson.
England vs West Indies
Gus Atkinson to Alick Athanaze. Length ball, off stump on the back foot defending, to point for no runs, fielded by Stokes.
England vs West Indies
Gus Atkinson to Alick Athanaze. Length ball, to leg on the back foot defending, to point for no runs, fielded by Stokes.
