The unique circumstances which have changed the global cricket landscape mean that Edgbaston will not host the scheduled Test match against West Indies.
Everyone at Warwickshire CCC wishes Chris Woakes, Dom Sibley and their team-mates all the best in the reorganised series to be played at The Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, let’s reflect on some great England v West Indies Tests in Birmingham over the years. The counties have fought out ten Test matches at Edgbaston, a series which has delivered brilliant individual feats and great team performances and well as plenty of history in the making.
When the Windies paid their first Test visit to Edgbaston, in 1957, it was a historic occasion as the first match ever to be broadcast live by the BBC.
“Don’t miss a ball, we broadcast them all,” the corporation proudly announced, and the seed that was to become the great Test Match Special was planted.
The BBC picked the perfect place to start as those first commentators in ’57 had a truly amazing match to describe. England trailed by 288 on first innings but hit back spectacularly with a world-record stand of 411 between Peter May (285 not out) and Colin Cowdrey (154).
West Indies, totally dominant for the first half of the match, were set 285 to win on the last day and ended up having to fight like tigers to avoid defeat. They finished on 72 for seven from 60 overs!
The Calypso Kings’ most recent visit, in 2017, continued the historic theme and added to Edgbaston’s longstanding tradition as a home of innovation. It was the inaugural day/night Test in England.
Alastair Cook thoroughly enjoyed batting against the pink ball, to the tune of 285 not out as England piled up 514 for eight. Pace legends James Anderson and Stuart Broad then shared ten wickets as England cruised to victory by an innings and 209 runs.
That crushing win extended England’s superb recent Test record against the Caribbean side in Birmingham. West Indies have not won a Test win match there in 20 years.
In 2000, the tourists came out on top thanks to match-figures of 40-19-58-8 from the great Courtney Walsh. But four years later it was England in control thanks to Freddie Flintoff and the Bears’ own Ashley Giles.
The Hollies Stand was in overdrive as Flintoff smashed an incredible 167 from 191 balls. Giles then spun his side to victory with nine wickets in the match.