Entire Caribbean stands alongside West Indies on tour of England
Tuesday, 7 July 2020 — ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies team has received tremendous outpouring of well wishes from all across the region as they prepare for the upcoming #RaiseTheBat Test Series on the Sandals Tour of England 2020. Current and former West Indies players have joined with CWI President, Ricky Skerritt to throw their support behind the team as they prepare to defend the Wisden Trophy in the three-match Test Series, to played behind closed doors as cricket makes a comeback to the international stage. The match starts Wednesday morning at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
West Indies fast bowling greats Sir Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh – who have 924 Test wickets between them – jointly gave words of wisdom to the young players. Other West Indies players and T20 World Cup champions Daren Sammy, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell also offered “shout outs” on social media, alongside Omari Banks and Kesrick Williams.
Other cricket-lovers have also sent messages of goodwill. These include Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines; Dwight Yorke, the former Manchester United and Trinidad and Tobago striker; Yohan Blake, the Jamaican Olympic medalist; and Shaka Hislop, the former Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper and highly respected analyst on ESPN. Also joining the chorus of support are popular musicians Kevin Lyttle and Skinny Fabulous.
“I want to send the team all the best in the three Tests. I know that you are splendid examples of our Caribbean civilization, you carry our flag and you conduct yourselves very well beyond the boundary. On the field, I expect you to triumph. But if you do not triumph, I expect you to still make us very proud, and most importantly for you to conduct yourself and be consulate professionals in the long traditions of Caribbean cricketing excellence,” said Dr Gonsalves, who is chairman of CARICOM.
Please see message here: https://twitter.com/windiescricket/status/1280577885116551177?s=21
West Indies played their first Test match against England in June 1928. To date West Indies have played 545 matches – with 174 wins, 195 defeats, 175 draws and the famous tie against Australia at the Gabba in December, 1960. West Indies have played England on 157 occassions. West Indies won 57, England won 49 with 51 drawn.
Fans around the world can watch the Test Series:
Caribbean: ESPN Caribbean
North America: DAZN/Willow
UK & Europe: Sky Sports (highlights and digital clips on BBC and ECB digital platforms)
Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
Indian Sub-Continent: Sony Ten
Middle East and North Africa: BeIN Sport
South East Asia: Fox Sports Asia
Australia: Fox Sports Australia