Cricket fans have waited eagerly all summer for some action.
The last time the sweet sound of bat meeting ball in international cricket was heard when Australia beat New Zealand in a one-dayer in front of empty stands in Sydney on March 13.
Strict health protocols are in place for the return of international cricket after a 117-day stoppage caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
While the return of Test cricket -- or indeed cricket of any form -- is very welcome after the health crisis, things will be very different.
A look at how different cricket is from what we are all used to:
No handshakes
Cricketers tend to come up with new ways to celebrate after dismissing the batsman, but it's unlikely that we'll see cricketers jumping over each other or even shaking hands on the fall of a wicket.
Fist bumps are the new high-fives.
Empty stands
The stands at the Ageas Bowl were empty with no spectators present in what is a bio-secure arena to minimise the risk of coronavirus infection.
No Saliva
Applying saliva to shine the ball is something bowlers have been used to doing for more than a century. They can't do that anymore. The International Cricket Council as banned the application of saliva on hands/balls.
Trust cricketers to be innovative. England fast bowler Mark Wood said the players used 'back sweat' to shine the ball in the first Test against the West Indies.
Headbands in demand
Headbands are back in style.
Bowlers in particular use headbands to ensure that the sweat doesn't drip down, to reduce touching the face.
PPE gloves
According to the new rules, umpires will not take jumpers and caps from bowlers. It is the 12th man's responsibility. Don't miss the PPE gloves.
Robot television camera
The ICC has been tech-savvy for years so it wasn't strange to spot a remote-controlled camera on wheels on the ground.
Black Lives Matter movement
The English and West Indian cricketers took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before start of play in the first Test at Southampton, July 8, 2020. The Windies players also wore black gloves and held their fists aloft.
The Black Lives Matter logo has also been sported on the team jerseys of both teams.
Social distancing
From the press box to England's team huddles, social distancing is the norm everywhere.
Hand sanitizers on the ground
Both teams meet in a 'bio-secure environment' at the Ageas Bowl with daily health checks for everyone on and off the ground.
