IT'S SLOW ROOT FOR ENGLAND

SINCE the summer of 2022 England have treated us all to some cricket from the future.

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And how good has it been?

But here at one of the oldest grounds in the world, Ben Stokes and company took supporters on a trip back to the past - and the final destination appeared to be a proper Test match.

Those occasions involved sensible batting, disciplined bowling and not a six in sight.

Welcome to Bazball with the brakes on. A fortnight ago some incredible heroics at Headingley saw England chase down 371 for victory - their second highest winning total in Test history.

Defeat then came at Edgbaston and one of the most exciting teams suddenly turned into one of the most sensible ones.

On a smoking hot day at Lord's, the only thing blazing was the summer sunshine and it was as odd as it was fascinating.

Having won the toss again, Stokes did the sensible thing this time and batted. But a ball that turned soft too soon, combined with a slow pitch, created a frustrating track to bat on. Nasser Hussain described the first two sessions as "turgid".

And somewhere Sir Geoffrey Boycott was doing cartwheels.