As the Ashes circus arm-wrestles into position in Leeds, wistful eyes cast back to 2019, when Ben Stokes carved out the second Headingley miracle of the ages. But not all England players have fond memories of surly skies and the Kirkstall Lane end.
It was at the Headingley Ashes Test of 1997 that Gloucestershire’s Mike Smith won his one and only England cap, during that relentless period of Australian dominance. It was one of England’s flightier performances: Jason Gillespie grabbing seven for 37 during a disastrous first innings, before Australia ran up 501, declared, and then rattled through England again to win by an innings and 61 runs.
