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.
In the first innings the West Indies were bowled out for just 121 with debutant Gus Atkinson taking seven wickets for just 45 runs.
Follow all the latest live coverage of today’s match in the live blog below:
England vs West Indies
West Indies trail England by 114 runs
England vs West Indies
OUT! Caught. Gus Atkinson to Jayden Seales. Back of a length, down leg side on the back foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep mid wicket, caught by Duckett.
England vs West Indies
Gus Atkinson to Jayden Seales. Half volley, off stump on the front foot driving, to silly mid off for no runs, fielded by Stokes.
England vs West Indies
Gus Atkinson to Gudakesh Motie. Back of a length, to leg on the back foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to mid off for 1 run, fielded by Stokes.
England vs West Indies
Gus Atkinson to Gudakesh Motie. Short, down leg side on the back foot Steer, to backward point for no runs, fielded by Woakes.
England vs West Indies
FOUR! Gus Atkinson to Gudakesh Motie. Short, down leg side backing away pulling, top edge in the air uncontrolled past third man for 4 runs.
England vs West Indies
Gus Atkinson to Jayden Seales. Back of a length, down leg side on the back foot pulling, to fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Bashir.
England vs West Indies
APPEAL! James Anderson to Gudakesh Motie. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, inside edge to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Brook, appeal made for L.B.W.
England vs West Indies
James Anderson to Jayden Seales. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot flick, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Duckett.
England vs West Indies
James Anderson to Gudakesh Motie. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Duckett.