A day out from the third Test between England and New Zealand and Headingley could scarcely have looked more ripe for the occasion, with azure skies overhead, the white roof of the new football stand shimmering in the sunshine and the combination of a beige pitch and cambered green outfield hinting at another feast of runs.
There is a huge appetite for this match, too. England may be 2-0 up with one to play but the swagger shown during the run chase at Trent Bridge last week – plus a trio of locally produced players in Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Alex Lees – has left around 400 tickets spare on days one and four, with two sell-outs sandwiched in between. Around £3m in net revenue is on the cards and that is before punters have slaked their thirsts and filled bellies at the various bars and food outlets.
