England’s home series against the West Indies will start with the first test match at Lord’s Cricket Ground. The match is scheduled to be played from May 17 to May 21.

The eng vs wi match will start at 11:00 local, 10:00 GMT. The live scorecard and commentary can be seen here from 10:00 GMT. 

England is the clear favorite for this test match and the series at large. They are the top ranked test team playing at home. The West Indies on the other hand are ranked third last among the test playing nations. They come into this series with a record of losing every overseas test series for the past 17 years, except when playing against the smaller sides like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

The cricket pundits are predicting a whitewash by the English team unless the weather intervenes. Although the West Indies team includes the number one ranked test batsmen, they are no competition to the English bowling at seaming wickets at home. England has three bowlers in the top ten test bowlers. Two of these, Andersen and Broad are good fast bowlers.

West Indian pace attack consisting of Roach, Rampaul and Edwards, is good. The trio might be able to exploit the England’s top order weakness. Both openers, Strauss and Cook have been out of form in the county season. However, the home team’s batting depth is expected to come out as winners.

In the other battle i.e. the West Indian batting versus English bowling, is expected to be far easier. This is where the West Indians need to work as a team. Their middle order should support Chanderpaul. Darren Bravo comes up as a key player in that respect. But facing Andersen, Broad and Swann in English conditions is going to be huge challenge. Here one can also blame the team politics. Chris Gayle might have been handy in such a situation. A brisk start by Gayle might have provided West Indian team with a reinvigorated spirit and an inspiration that they require.