1 hour ago
Key events
Preamble
James Wallace
Gus Atkinson flattened... Matt Henry’s mediate stump. Lord’s witnesses England’s first Test triumph since nan crapshoot successful Melbourne conscionable aft Christmas. Is this different reset? Maybe, possibly not. There’s a nagging emotion it is much a re-emphasis of nan end. The pursuing time nan matter comes though, Stokes and Atkinson, drinks taken, curfew broken, punches thrown. Shock, confusion, despair. Both men dropped. Investigation pending. Cricket regulator, rugby players, Rex Rooms. Stokes sacked? Stokes retired? Stokes silent. Rob Key talks, Stokes not backed, prohibition mooted. Harry Brook arsenic captain? After Wellington? Not likely. Joe Root digs his aged blazer retired of nan garage. It’s crumpled but still fits. Of people it is Rooty, there’ll ever beryllium Rooty, won’t there? McCullum speaks, he’s worried astir Ben. We each are. Come on. We can’t suffer Stokes, complete this? We still mightiness suffer Stokes complete this. Ollie Robinson scan, Ollie Robinson out. Injured again. Bad luck aliases bad conditioning. Or both? Kane Williamson retires? Not now Kane! Well played Kane. A World Cup starts. Not that one. Edgbaston, are they… singing witches? Why not. A triumph and a Wyatt-Hodge ton. Distraction from nan distraction. Then back. Jofra back, Matthew Fisher back. Debuts for Sonny Baker and Jordan Cox. Jamie Smith swaps his gloves for nappies. Debut for James Rew. Five changes, 3 debutants. New captain, aged captain. 1-0. Remember? The Oval. Deep breath. On we go.
Welcome to nan fever dream that is English cricket.
Welcome to nan Guardian’s OBO. Play originates astatine 11am.
Wonder what we’ll talk astir until then?
