BAZBALL'S ALL WELL AND GOOD, BUT CUT OUT THE BATTING BRAIN-FADES

YOU cannot arrive at the million-pound question and say: “Chris, I’ve thought about it, final answer... E.” Nor can you ask Carol Vorderman for two from the top, four from the bottom and a side of onion rings.

- Malik Ouzia

So, while the analysis of England’s batting brain fade will be framed in some quarters as yet another debate over the merits or ills of Bazball (apparently, Brendon McCullum has now given up and come to terms with that label), really, that is to miss the point.

England’s philosophy is built on taking the more aggressive option and, quite simply, you cannot choose one that is not on the table. With the caveat that clearing the fence is technically always “on”, the batter’s one risky trump card to render all fielders obsolete, the cluster of England wickets that fell on the second evening here were each the result of woeful shot selection for the situation at hand.

In a baffling 45 minutes, Ollie Pope, Ben Duckett and Joe Root all wilted trying to take on Australia’s short-ball ploy in a flurry of top-edges and toe-ends that flew to men stationed in positions that telegraphed the trap.