West Indies’ tour of England named as ‘Raise the Bat’ Test series for COVID fighters

International cricket is all set to return with West Indies’ tour of England, starting July 8 after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the tour. The teams would be locking horns in a three-match Test series, starting July 8 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The Caribbean players have already reached England and are quarantining together before action on the field.

The visitors announced a 14-member squad and 11 reserves, who all are busy training. Jason Holder, who was axed as the ODI skipper last year, will be leading them. In the last three months, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a lot of ruckus. Millions of people, globally, have been affected. The death tolls have shown minimum signs of slowing down and people are waiting for sanity to prevail.

COVID fighters to be paid respect

In the meantime, the upcoming three-match Test series would be called ‘Raise the Bat’ series, reported by ESPNcricinfo. The step has been taken to pay respect to the professionals, who have been working day in and day out during the ever so critical situation. A number of doctors have lost their lives while treating patients, who have been infected with the ungodly virus.

The second and third Test of the series would take place at the Old Trafford in Manchester with the final match, starting July 24. The series would take place in a ‘bio-secure environment’ and precautionary measures are being taken, bearing in mind how contagious the coronavirus has been.

The International Council (ICC) has also come up with a few guidelines. The players won’t be able to use saliva. On doing so, the match-officials will warn them a few times after which the batting team would be offered five runs. However, the players would be able to use sweat to shine the leather.

Back in March, cricket in major nations came to a close. England’s Test series against Sri Lanka got postponed. India’s ODI series against South Africa and Bangladesh’s Test series versus Australia couldn’t take place either. The cash-rich IPL also had to be deferred for an indefinite time period. The PSL had to be called off before the semi-finals as well.