A new era has dawned for English cricket but despite a day of high drama, little has changed.
Just like any other fresh start over the past 19 years it began the same way - with a wicket for James Anderson. But with a rather recognisable batting collapse following hot on its heels as England limped to 116-7, this was as familiar a sight as anything we have seen over the last few years.
And whether it is Ben Stokes in charge or Joe Root, the ability of England’s batsmen to gift wrap their wickets for opposition bowlers remains strong. The good news is that the bowling still works. It only took 13 balls for the evergreen Anderson, who turns 40 in July, to nudge his incredible Test tally to 641 scalps in the most familiar of ways and provide some early reassurance to his new coach and captain.
