When England played their first match against Australia, back at the start of this already long tour, and Jos Buttler cracked the first ball of the game for four, a sense of easy familiarity settled over many observers. We knew this story.
England reached a total of 208, with Buttler and Alex Hales scoring fast and free, and the team followed the path to success that had been widely plotted for this squad: pack the side with brilliant batters; bludgeon a total 20 or 30 above par; win.
