Our coverage of the cricket will be very different this year, but no less special

The ground broadcasters have been forced to think outside the box to give those watching from home that same first morning thrill, writes Ben Burrows

England captain Joe Root won't be one of those lining up this week as he awaits the birth of his second child (AFP)

This week sees one of the great days of the sporting calendar finally come to pass.

Five weeks on from when it was supposed to be, the first ball of the Test summer will be bowled in Southampton and full-speed, competitive international cricket will finally return to England after what seems like forever.

It, of course, wouldn’t have been bowled on the south coast at all but then coronavirus intervened and took away one of the days sports fans cherish the most.