Ben Stokes had spent some of Monday in the middle at Old Trafford, studying the pitch. He had no such option on Tuesday, the covers shielding it from the elements. The Mancunian weather accounted for his only draw as Test captain, against Australia in 2023.
There may be the risk of a repeat, though: even as the skies started to clear in the afternoon, the rain still came down. But Old Trafford draws have a different pertinence: this week has marked the 20th anniversary of the start of the 2005 Ashes. Australia held on in Manchester, nine wickets down in a thrilling finish, but England won the series 2-1.
