Cricket in COVID-19 started in England from July 8, 2020 in empty stadiums and with the strictest rules and measures. The first 3-Test Series since the outbreak of the pandemic was played against visiting West Indies. The visitors won the first test by 4 terrains on the fifth and last day of the tight match. However, the hosts came back stronger in the second and third test matches, winning the second match by 113 runs and then defeating the unpredictable, as always, West Indies by 269 runs in the final match, thus winning the Test Series. 2-1. In Test cricket, English fisherman Stuart Broad became the second England bowler, the fourth fast bowler in the world, and the seventh overall bowler in the world, to capture 500 wickets in the last match that concluded the July 28, 2020. Too bad, there were no home fans or other fans to cheer him on and win the team! The most promising aspect of the New Normal Cricket was that no health-related issues discouraged the efforts. And cricket continued in empty stadiums.

Then came the Pakistan team for a 3-match Test Series and a 3-match T20I Series against host England. The first test match between England and Pakistan was played from August 5, and England, maintaining the winning streak, won the match by 3 wickets. The match, played at the Emirates Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, was a cliffhanger, and England finally managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat on the final day, with the hosts winning 1-0 in the series. Rains and poor lighting continually disrupted the second round procedures at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, allowing only 150 overs to be thrown in total, and the match ended in a frustrating draw for both teams, particularly Pakistan, resentful of the shocking defeat in the first. match. The third and final match of the series, a highly anticipated showdown, began on August 21, 2020 at the same location. England sealed the deal by putting up a mammoth score of 583 for 8 declared, then went on to beat Pakistan 273 in the opening innings, forcing them to keep going. Thanks to rain interruptions, England failed to win, and Pakistan saved the match in 187 by 4 wickets. However, the record was created in that test match.

38-year-old English fast bowling stalwart James Anderson took his 29th five-wicket round in Pakistan’s first inning and then captured two more scalps in the second inning to complete a record 600 wickets. The right arm fast pitcher became the first pace pitcher in international test cricket to accomplish the 600 wickets feat, leaving Australia’s Glen McGrath in second place with 563 scalps, and the fourth pitcher overall, Sri Lanka’s Muralitharan sitting at the top with an incredible 800 wickets, followed by Australia’s SK Warne with 708 in second position and India’s Anil Kumble with 619 wickets in third position. James Anderson made his ODI debut in 2002 and earned a place on the 2003 ICC World Cup team, and set his mark in international cricket. His testing debut came in 2003, and since then he played in 156 test matches for England until history was made on August 25, 2020. The high pace has often been criticized as a closer ‘only in English conditions. ‘, and his career was often interrupted because he was “rested” or abandoned due to external factors. However, he eventually proved all his critics wrong and emerged as one of the best bowlers in world cricket. Too bad again, English fans or any other spectator could not be present at the Rose Bowl to appreciate the historic moment. Regardless, the hosts won the series 1-0.

Pakistan is also scheduled to feature in a 3-game T20 international series against host England. The first match on August 28, the second on August 30 and the last match on September 1, 2020.

Now he comes to Australia, England’s arch rival, for a 3-game T20I Series and a 3-game ODI Series. The T20 matches will be played on September 4, 6 and 8, while the one-day international matches are scheduled for September 11, 13 and 16, 2020.

In a highly likely extension of the New Normal, Cricket India is scheduled to begin its 2020-21 Tour of Australia from October 2020. Cricket Australia has recently announced the full schedule of matches between the two teams – the first of The 3-match T20I would take place on October 11, followed by a 4-match Test Series starting on December 3 and the 3-match ODI Series would start from January 12, 2021. According to the discussion Between the two Boards, the second test starting December 11 at the Adelaide Oval would be a day and night affair with the pink ball. Keep enjoying cricket from home!