We are at the dregs. England have three more World Cup matches in India to pull through, this hallucinogenic – and not in a good way – title defence at the point where you wonder if you should just give the kids a go. The problem is there aren’t that many, with only Gus Atkinson, Sam Curran and Harry Brook under the age of 26 in the squad. The old-timers will have to lead the final push for pride and, um, qualification to the Champions Trophy.
Instead, a number of the next generation are getting ready for a three-week England Lions training camp in the United Arab Emirates this month. The focus is on the red ball and it comes before an India tour in the new year that will be Bazball’s toughest gig yet: five Tests against a side who have not lost a home series since 2012.
