Cricket, much like any other form of sport, has its pulse beating only through facts. So, let us consider one of each regarding the five-match Test series that kicks off on Thursday.

England, under Ben Stokes’ command, can replace India as the second-best Test team in the world by the end of this long tour. A fact. Purely because England has a good chance of doing so. This may have been backed up by no evidence whatsoever, but cricket can spring up an abundance of surprises in no time.