The first Test against New Zealand seemed to be played in fast forward, and since England sealed victory on day four at Lord’s the cricket world has just carried on in the same vein. An often wild match ending with the MCC rushing out a statement reacting to criticism of the pitch would be one of the more memorable events of an ordinary summer, but this time it was practically forgotten within 48 hours.
Celebrating England players threw the England and Wales Cricket Board into crisis, and the week between Tests ended up being so unusual that the shock retirement of one of the great players of the past two decades almost went unnoticed. Ten days ago it looked like England had hit upon a lineup that could stay pretty settled through the summer. Now they have made at least four changes for their next game.
