The first Test between England and West Indies marks the revival of one of cricket’s most storied rivalries, dating back to 1929. In their 119 previous Test encounters, England have had the upper hand with 63 victories, while West Indies have claimed 34 wins, and 22 matches have ended in draws. With both teams entering the 2025 ICC World Test Championship campaign eager to climb the standings, this opening clash becomes crucial. England, led by Ben Stokes, and West Indies, captained by Roston Chase, will be battling for early momentum, pride, and valuable championship points.
Live Streaming Info
Fans can watch the Eng vs WI live on the Sony Sports Network in India and Sri Lanka, Ten Sports in Pakistan and Sony Sports in India as well. Match start time is 10:00 AM local time in Colombo | 10:30 AM in Bangladesh | 10:00 AM PST | 5:30 AM GMT.
Team Analysis
The West Indies approach this Test with a mix of youth and experience, building their batting core around the likes of Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, and Brandon King. Brathwaite, the dependable opener, offers stability at the top, while Hope and King bring flair and shot-making ability to the middle order. Youngsters like Keacy Carty and Mikyle Louis are expected to step up, adding energy and hunger to the batting lineup. With Roston Chase also contributing with the bat, the West Indies have the tools to put runs on the board, but the challenge will lie in withstanding England’s relentless pace attack under pressure.
Complementing their batting efforts is a fiery West Indies bowling attack. Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph provide genuine pace, while Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillip add variety and control. Spin duties are expected to fall on Jomel Warrican, with captain Chase offering support when needed. The inclusion of players like Justin Greaves and Kevlon Anderson boosts their all-round strength. Playing on familiar conditions, West Indies will be hoping to extract extra bounce and carry from the Queen’s Park Oval pitch and start their campaign with a statement win.
England, meanwhile, field a balanced and confident squad led by the ever-resilient Ben Stokes. Their top order features Joe Root, Zak Crawley, and Ben Duckett, each capable of playing long innings and stabilizing the innings after early breakthroughs. In the middle order, Harry Brook brings an aggressive mindset and the ability to counterattack when needed. England’s batting depth continues with wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, who brings power-hitting and tactical experience to the lower order. Overall, England’s batting looks solid, and if their top order finds rhythm, they will be difficult to contain.
On the bowling front, England boast a formidable pace unit with Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, and Brydon Carse likely to take new-ball responsibilities. Ben Stokes adds all-round balance with both ball and bat. While the spin options are limited, England may rely on part-time bowlers or adjust based on match conditions. Their discipline in line and length, combined with reverse swing possibilities on Caribbean tracks, could turn the tide in crucial sessions.
Match Insights and Conclusion
The first Test is being held at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, a venue known for balanced conditions that support both seamers early and spinners as the match progresses. The pitch typically starts with consistent bounce and carry, assisting fast bowlers on Day 1 and 2, before slowing down and offering turn on Days 4 and 5. These conditions slightly favor the West Indies, who are more accustomed to the subtle nuances of the pitch.
Among the key impact players, Alzarri Joseph and Shai Hope are expected to play defining roles for West Indies, while England will rely heavily on Harry Brook’s attacking strokeplay and Chris Woakes’ control with the ball. If you want to watch the West Indies vs England Test series or live match, scroll above and click on the link provided.
