England eye a perfect summer but the final Test tinged with grief

The home side has one or two issues still to ponder at the Oval, while Sri Lanka process their disappointing series

- Ali Martin

Masterful Root best in business

The rankings are yet to update at the time of writing but after two masterful centuries at Lord's - his third and fourth this year - Joe Root's lead at the top will only have increased. Right now, glowing with form, he is the best in the business.

Although stating this will doubtless lead to "right now" being ignored by some, with statistical shortcomings - such as the lack of a century in Australia - cited. Comparisons with the other members of the "Fab Four" Steve Smith, Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson - usually follow, too, with England's busier schedule somehow counting against Root.

That "Fab Four" term was coined by Martin Crowe 10 years ago, picking out the players he felt at the time were destined for big things. It also came with a prediction that a game of musical chairs at the top of the rankings would follow. But while a fun talking point, the rankings don't matter much, either. Sit back and enjoy each of them the next time they walk out because the actual fun comes in simply watching them operate.

Lawrence needs to catch the eye

Despite two wins from two as stand-in captain, Ollie Pope finds himself at the centre of a debate regarding his suitability at No 3.

The numbers can be massaged in either direction, although it is the right-hander's challenge on off stump a bat that is being jammed down at an angle - that will settle it.