After freewheeling at increasing pace for 16 giddy months, the Ashes hypemobile had to run out of road. But instead of letting it come to a juddering halt, somehow these 22 players managed to conjure a fresh acceleration.

It is implausible for something as anticipated as this not to produce disappointment, as anyone who follows England knows far too well. Those are memories that will have flooded miserably back when Zak Crawley nicked the sixth ball of the day to slip. His wicket marked the start of not only the sudden whoosh of optimism leaking from the English balloon of hot air, but of a day of 19 wickets , bowling of impeccable quality (with exceptions), and absurd entertainment. Alastair Cook and Becky Ives make best of TNT Sports’ shonky Ashes production | Barney Ronay Read mo

See Full Page