England's regeneration and refinement of their style was evident in the victory over Sri Lanka, writes Stephan Shemilt.
While the cricket ground sprouts hotels and buildings that look like giant scart lead ports, just down the road, within eyesight, are the familiar white girders of the football ground.
In contrast to Ferguson, Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum did not have the luxury of refreshing a winning unit, rather one that had a single success in its previous 17 matches. In two-and-a-bit years, the leadership duo have reversed results and revamped the squad. One probably begat the other.Granted, some changes have been necessary because of a couple of injuries, including to captain Stokes himself.
Only three of the XI in Manchester were over the age of 30 and the total 343 caps the XI had going into the match was England’s lowest for four years, back to the first Test against West Indies in 2020. When one or both of Olly Stone or 20-year-old Josh Hull play in the second Test at Lord’s on Thursday, that total caps will come down again.
Clearly, they have huge promise as international cricketers, but there is an inescapable feeling Smith is the man to be most excited about. His stance is slightly awkward, yet everything that happens after the bowler releases the ball has the grace of Darcey Bussell. Solid defence, sweet drives and fast-handed pull shots.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
England vs Sri Lanka: Visitors' shambolic morning changes the game as England take advantageThere have been few instances where a team has made a more shambolic start to a day's play than Sri Lanka did on the third morning of the first Test against England.
Read more »
Ben Stokes: England captain to miss Sri Lanka Test series with torn hamstringBen Stokes has been ruled out of the rest of the Test summer after tearing his left hamstring while playing in The Hundred.
Read more »
Ben Stokes: England Test captain to miss Sri Lanka series after hamstring tearEngland Test captain Ben Stokes will miss the rest of the summer after tearing his left hamstring while playing in The Hundred.
Read more »
Ben Stokes: England Test captain to miss Sri Lanka series after hamstring tearEngland Test captain Ben Stokes will miss the rest of the summer after tearing his left hamstring while playing in The Hundred.
Read more »
Ben Stokes carried off injured in The Hundred ahead of England vs Sri Lanka TestsBen Stokes has been carried off injured during The Hundred after pulling up while batting for the Northern Superchargers.
Read more »
Ben Stokes carried off injured in The Hundred ahead of England vs Sri Lanka TestsBen Stokes has been carried off injured during The Hundred after pulling up while batting for the Northern Superchargers.
Read more »