The outpouring of grief at the untimely death of Shane Warne has perhaps contained a partial lament at the passing of a golden age of Test cricket. At a time when career options for players are myriad and the shortest format is so lucrative, its primacy continues to be challenged. Yet the lure still remains for many.
Just ask Ben Stokes, who after weighing up another unforgiving schedule this year has shouldered arms to the Indian Premier League – and a likely seven-figure pay day, going by the all-rounder’s previous value – to focus on his Test career and the vice-captaincy of an ailing England team.
