England vs West Indies 1st Test, Playing 11, Pitch Report, WTC Final Scenarios, and Live Streaming Details
West Indies will take on England in the first of three Test matches on July 10 at the Lords. Veteran Pacer James Anderson will retire after the game, making it all the more exciting. England will be looking to bounce back from four successive Test match losses to India, while the West Indies will look to bank on the impressive Test match victory against Australia.
The three-match series will seriously impact the 2025 World Test Championship standings, where the Three Lions are currently at the bottom.
England vs West Indies 1st Test, Match Details
The match will begin on July 10, 4:30 PM IST in India and July 10, 11:00 AM Local Time in the UK. The last time the two teams played a Test match was in 2022, and West Indies won by 10 wickets. They drew the previous two matchups after two victories for the Three Lions.
Head-to-Heads
Out of the 163 matches between them, so far England has won 51 matches and West Indies has won 59 test matches. and, 53 matches were drawn. England in their den has a slight edge over West Indies by a lead of 36-31.
England vs West Indies 1st Test, Squad News
England
The squad features a blend of seasoned performers and rising stars, led by the charismatic Ben Stokes. James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Dillon Pennington, Matthew Potts, and Shoaib Bashir form a formidable bowling attack, providing a strong backbone for the team. The batting lineup includes top-order talents like Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and the legendary Joe Root.
Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, and Ollie Pope provide middle-order strength, ensuring stability and depth. Allrounders Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes offer balance with both bat and ball. Behind the stumps, wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith adds another layer of reliability. This well-rounded team is prepared to compete at the highest level, showcasing a mix of experience and youthful exuberance. Also, this test match will be James Anderson’s last match.
West Indies
Under the leadership of captain Kraigg Brathwaite, the team boasts a robust lineup for the season. Alzarri Joseph, serving as vice-captain, spearheads the bowling attack alongside talents like Shamar Joseph, Jeremiah Louis, Jayden Seales, Gudakesh Motie, and Kevin Sinclair. The squad features versatile players such as Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge, who contribute as batting allrounders.
Top-order Tevin Imlach, Kirk McKenzie, and opening batters Mikyle Louis and Zachary McCaskie further strengthen the batting lineup. With the inclusion of experienced bowling allrounder Jason Holder and reliable wicketkeeper-batter Joshua Da Silva, the team is well-balanced and prepared for a competitive season.
England vs West Indies 1st Test, Possible Playing 11
| England | West Indies |
|---|---|
| Zak Crawley | Kraigg Brathwaite (c) |
| Ben Duckett | Mikyle Louis |
| Ollie Pope | Kirk McKenzie |
| Joe Root | Tevin Imlach |
| Harry Brook | Joshua Da Silva |
| Ben Stokes (C) | Jason Holder |
| Jamie Smith | Kavem Hodge |
| Chris Woakes | Alick Athanaze |
| Gus Atkinson | Alzarri Joseph |
| Shoaib Bashir | Jayden Seales |
| James Anderson | Gudakesh Motie |
Pitch Report and Key Players to Watch at Lord’s
The pitch at Lord’s is renowned for favoring bowlers, especially pacers, which is further intensified under rainy conditions. Historical data reveals that teams winning the toss and opting to bowl first have a success rate of 62%.
However, the overall win percentage for teams bowling first stands at 40%, indicating that batting first can still be advantageous. The average first innings score is 310, gradually decreasing to 156 by the fourth innings, suggesting that the pitch deteriorates over time, making batting increasingly difficult.
Given the pitch and weather conditions, pacers are expected to make early breakthroughs. Still, a solid batting performance in the first innings can set the foundation for a competitive total, considering the declining scoring trend in subsequent innings
Zack Crawley’s solid technique and ability to play long innings for England will be crucial in the first innings. Joe Root’s wealth of experience at Lord’s can anchor the innings. Ben Stokes will be an X-factor due to his explosive all-round skills.
For the West Indies, Joshua De Silva can stabilize the middle order. Spinner Gudakesh Motie can exploit the pitch conditions as the game progresses, providing crucial breakthroughs. Like Stokes, Jason Holder can contribute significantly with both bat and ball, especially in seam-friendly conditions.
ICC World Test Championship 2025 Final Scenarios
India and Australia lead the 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship points table. England is in the bottom position. Therefore, they will likely have to win every match to reach the finals. After the Caribbeans, they will face sterner challenges from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and New Zealand.
The West Indies, which sits in sixth place, will face South Africa, Bangladesh, and Pakistan after England. They are not in a must-win scenario like England but would not like to lose, as it will affect their standing.
England vs West Indies 1st Test Live Telecast and Live Streaming Details
Where to Watch England vs West Indies 1st Test in India?
Fans in India can watch the game on Fancode and Sony Sports.
Where to Watch England vs West Indies 1st Test in UK?
Fans in the UK can watch the match on Sky Sports.
