England try to be here now with Manchester masterplan stage set

Stokes and McCullum will not look back in anger at war of words at Lord's but their focus is sealing an early series victory at Old Trafford,

- Ali Martin

The last time India were in Manchester for a Test was in 2021 and it was a pretty bleak affair. An outbreak of Covid-19 among their backroom staff led to the series finale being called off just 90 minutes before the toss, even if many suspected the proximity of the rescheduled Indian Premier League also had a role to play.

"I saw Lanky the Giraffe walking into the ground with his head slumped," said Tom Harrison, at the time chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, after crossing paths with Lancashire's club mascot that morning. "It summed up my feelings, too."

Other than the usual concerns about weather in these parts - and the forecast looks better than what was a soggy last day of training - Lanky has reason to be a bit more chipper this time around. After that niggly classic at Lord's, send-offs, sledging et al, England sit 2-1 up with two to play, making this Test one of two chances to claim what would be a first series victory against India in seven years.

Results under Ben Stokes have been strong overall, with his win rate of 61.11% second only to WG Grace (61.53) among England captains in double figures. But going by the short-term addition to the staff of Gilbert Enoka - the former All Blacks coach has been hired to work on "culture, training and mindset" this summer - he and Brendon McCullum are keen to take the project to the next level.