An ideal advertisement for cricket on coronavirus era
The just-concluded Test series between England and West Indies had some memorable performances before empty stands across two venues and the series came as a delight to cricket-starved fans around the world amid the pandemic.
Two of England's 'big match' performers played key roles despite too little audience support, with Ben Stokes scoring 176 and 78 not out in the second Test and paceman Stuart Broad becoming simply the seventh bowler to take 500 Check wickets when he reached the landmark in Tuesday.
England won the Wisden Trophy rear from the West Indies after coming back from at the rear of and captain Joe Root heaped rich praise on Stuart Broad and James Anderson after the series victory, saying it was a privilege to allow them to take up with two of the world's finest fast bowlers.
But the collective effort of individuals who helped help to make England-West Indies series possible after the enforced break because of the novel coronavirus pandemic has certainly granted the cricket community much-needed hope and assurance.
When the pandemic disrupted the global sporting calendar, forcing the postponement or cancellation of some of the biggest tournaments, few could have imagined international cricket as early as July.
Kudos to England and Wales Cricket Panel (ECB) and Cricket West Indies for so that it is happen and offering the followers of the activity something to cherish through the difficult circumstances. It wasn't easy but the two cricket boards ensured the series went in advance without the major setbacks.
Despite fears that life in a bio-safe and sound bubble -- with clubs holed up on onsite hotels and no spectators allowed into grounds to protect against the pass on of Covid-19 -- might produce equally sterile cricket, both sides produced a higher standard.
Fears a good ban on shining the ball with saliva would neuter bowlers proved largely groundless, with sweat allied to seam movement off the pitch and helpful overhead circumstances allied to the abilities of the attacks.
The one concerning moment came when England had to omit Jofra Archer from the second Test after it emerged the quickly bowler had breached regulations by producing an unauthorised trip real estate following the West Indies' four-wicket win in the series opener at Southampton.
England director Ashley Giles said Archer's error "could have expense us tens of an incredible number of pounds" but he added he was a "fine son" who would learn from his mistake.
The players lived and been trained in in the bubble for a lot more than 2 weeks and Jason Holder said "same hotels, same rooms" were challenging and players were a lttle bit "mentally worn out" by the finish of 7 weeks.
The historic series is not just likely to be remembered for the high-quality action on the field also for everything off it that made an entire cricket community assume that it can go above the coronavirus threat and get the activity again on its feet.
