In this piece, we delve into the world of numbers and dig out some of the key stats and figures to look forward to ahead of the three-match Test series between England and West Indies which kickstarts tomorrow in the circular amphitheater of The Rose Bowl.

  • England have never lost a Test match at The Rose Bowl. They have played three matches, one of which was drawn against Sri Lanka. The two wins came against India in 2011 and 2018 respectively. Interestingly, England won the toss on all three occasions.
 
  • West Indies skipper, Jason Holder needs 102 runs to reach 2,000 runs in Test Cricket. He will be only the third West Indian player to amass 2,000 runs and also take 100-plus wickets in the format. The other two are Sir Garfield Sobers and Carl Hooper.

  • Ben Stokes is set to captain England in the absence of Joe Root. He will be their 81st skipper in the format.
 
  • England are on the verge of registering 50 Test victories against the Windies and need one more win. In their perennial rivalry that extends to 158 Test matches, the Calypso Kings have had the upperhand with 57 triumphs compared to England’s 49.
  
  • Kraigg Brathwaite will be particularly watchful against James Anderson by whom he has been dismissed 7 times in Test Cricket.
 
  •  Joe Root’s streak of 77 consecutive matches will break in Southampton as he dedicates time to his family for the birth of his child. This streak is the longest amongst currently playing cricketers.
 
  •  One of West Indies’ premier pacers, Kemar Roach is nearing the 200-wicket tally, needing 7 wickets to reach the landmark. He will be the 9th West Indian to achieve this feat.
 
It’s the battle of the all-rounders as Jason Holder and Ben Stokes, skippers of their side and world’s best and second-best Test all-rounders respectively, will clamor to draw first-blood in the series.