Naseem Shah, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jofra Archer and others who will shape cricket on its return

The game returns in England next week after an extended break

Jofra Archer (England). Entered lockdown a damaged soul, nursing an elbow injury that heaped much criticism on England for the way he had been handled. Now cricket is on its way back, and so is he, announcing he was fully healed with the aid of a perky Fresh Prince of Belair gif. AFP

James Anderson (England). The accepted theory seems to be the extended break caused by the pandemic might serve to extend the careers of those who are near to retirement. It is undeniable the time away will have aided Anderson’s recovery from the niggles that have blighted the past year. PA

Dom Sibley (England). They do not paint pictures on the scoreboard. Which is handy for Sibley, whose method with the bat in not necessarily one for the aesthetes. But few will care about that, if he can continue the effective returns he had on tour in South Africa, where he was a match-winner for England. Getty

Dan Lawrence (England). There has been a revolving door for England’s middle-order for some time now. Might Lawrence be the next man in? He is in the 30-man training squad, so there is a chance. If he does make the cut, it will be fun to watch. The Essex batsman has more flair than the ’70s. Pawan Singh / The National

Olly Stone (England). Mark Wood bowled at 96mph against West Indies when England toured there last. Jofra Archer clocked 96.1mph against Steve Smith in last year’s Ashes. Add a fully-fit Stone into the mix, and England could have one of the fastest pace-bowling trios in the game’s history. AFP

Naseem Shah (Pakistan). There are few more exciting talents in the world game at present than this kid. Just 17, but he is one for now – not just the future. The youngest bowler to take an international hat-trick, and he also showed poise beyond his years in this year's Pakistan Super League. AFP

Fawad Alam (Pakistan). One of cricket’s great mysteries is how the left-handed batsman managed to go throughout all of the 2010s without playing a Test, despite remarkable run-gathering in first-class cricket. He averages 56.84 in the first-class game, but played the last of his three Tests in 2009. Getty

Haris Rauf (Pakistan). Recently floated the idea he would be happy to give Test cricket a go. And why not? He has taken to everything else thrown at him so well since being plucked from tape-ball cricket by PSL side Lahore Qalandars 18 months ago. Still in Pakistan, though, after testing positive for Covid-19. Getty

Shan Masood (Pakistan). Had a nightmare the last time he toured the UK, with Anderson in particular casting a spell from which Masood was unable to extricate himself. But he is heading back to England – where he went to school and university – as arguably international cricket’s most improved player. Getty

Babar Azam (Pakistan). Conversations about the best batsmen in the game often don’t tend to extend far past Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root. Why Azam is so often the forgotten man in that debate is difficult to ascertain, but a strong summer in England will force the issue. AFP

Rahkeem Cornwall (West Indies): Handpicked by Virat Kohli to bowl at the touring Indians in the Caribbean, after he had dismissed Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in a tour match four years ago. Now he has graduated to the full West Indies team, as an off-spinner capable of prodigious turn. AFP

Alzarri Joseph (West Indies). Still a relatively unknown quantity – despite his remarkable IPL debut last year when he took six for 12 – and he is only too happy to fly under the radar. “I could use it as an advantage - I know my abilities and they might not know,” the 23-year-old fast-bowler said. PA

Kraigg Brathwaite (West Indies). The Barbadian opener has had two great triumphs in Tests. First, in Sharjah in 2016, when he went undefeated in both innings as West Indies beat Pakistan. Then against England at Headingley the following summer when he made 134 and 95 to set up a win for the ages. Getty

Shai Hope (West Indies). Much like Brathwaite, Hope’s Test average of 27 chronically belies his talent – yet he, too, had a match of dreams last time on tour in England. He made a century in each innings of the Leeds Test match, which set him on the way to a Wisden Cricketer of the Year award. AFP

John Campbell (West Indies). Yet to make a hundred so far in a Test career that is just six matches old, but he already has a reputation as an entertainer in the best traditions of Caribbean openers. Likes European batting conditions, too, if his record-breaking ODI opening stand with Shai Hope in Dublin last year is anything to go by. Getty

International cricket makes its eagerly-awaited return when England face West Indies in front of empty, sanitised stands in Southampton next week.

The overriding question is, of course, what will the game be like in such a surreal time? Especially when no-one can go and watch live, when players cannot high-five to celebrate a wicket, and when even the basic function of shining the ball is something new.

Only time will provide the answers, but for the three teams involved – Pakistan being the third who play the subsequent series – there are matches to win, points to prove, and reputations to emboss.

Above is a picture gallery of the players who could define what is already guaranteed to be a unique summer of cricket in the UK.

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