With bubbles and elbow bumps, cricket makes its long-awaited return

It’s not the same as we know it but as cricket announced its arrival with four byes down the leg side, Vithushan Ehantharajah couldn’t be happier to have it back

England are warming up for the West Indies in Southampton (Getty Images)

It started with four byes down the leg side.

Saqib Mahmood the bowler, spraying it wide of the batsman, Rory Burns, who waved it on by. Ben Foakes the wicketkeeper sprawling to his right in vain. The umpire signalled byes but could have just as easily given them as wides. An iffy start but an expected one. And very, very welcome.

English cricket returned in earnest on Wednesday at the Ageas Bowl as a teams led by Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler faced off in the first bit of on-field action since a tour match in Sri Lanka on 13 March. A warm-up ahead of the first Test against West Indies at the same ground next week to get miles in the legs of all involved. As the first ball showed, it is very much needed.

That tour match in Sri Lanka against a President’s XI was influenced by coronavirus with the extra onus on cleanliness even before England arrived, along with the substitution of handshakes and high-fives for fist and elbow bumps. Four months on those elements remain, now bolstered by more robust protocols including the biggest of all – this biosecure site which has housed the players for a week.

The 30 England players that came into the bubble – only 27 are taking part in this match – have undergone coronavirus tests and daily check-ups to ensure the venue and onsite hotel are coronavirus free. Fast bowler Mark Wood likened the set-up to that of a sci-fi movie with its testing tents, arrows on floors dictating social-distancing and apps to open doors.

Players have been training in shifts, eating on separate tables, sticking to their rooms for downtime. Thanks to Ben Stokes, who booked five tee times at the adjoining golf course for each day they are at onsite, outdoor entertainment is also available.

But really, this is what they are here for. And as Mahmood refound his line with his next delivery, the game had returned to something akin to what it once was.

The differences were stark: just two stationary cameras – one at each end – bring us the action, with no sound at all. The first wicket of the day – Burns caught behind off Craig Overton – was greeted with elbow bumps there was a strict vigilance to ensure no one used saliva to polish the ball.

It will be a more professional arrangement next week with Sky and BBC arriving the day before day one of the Test to become part of the cluster.

But for the next couple of days, and until crowds are allowed to return, this is a fan’s lot.