On paper, the answer to how England will replace Ben Stokes for the Test series against Pakistan appears to be to throw bodies at the problem and have options. A 16-strong squad has been selected for the first two Tests starting on 19 August, akin to a touring party and at risk of being bloated.
Although on announcing the squad on Thursday – a group that has Jordan Cox slated to bat at No 3, with Jacob Bethell missing the series with a knee injury – the national selector, Marcus North, laid out the intended structure of the XI that will play under Joe Root when he dutifully returns to the captaincy.