There can’t be too many countries with as talented a team of stiffs. England left their first choice XI on the bench here, a decision that could be interpreted as a snub towards their Australian opponents were this not the sainted Gareth Southgate who made the decision and were the combined value of the reserves not something north of half a billion pounds.
Southgate had warned that this might be a night for rotation, the argument being that players need minutes to not just get in the groove but feel part of the squad.
