Addressing the media after England’s emphatic win over India in the fifth and final Test of the 2021-22 series—by virtue of which the hosts drew level at 2-2—Joe Root, the deposed captain but still the master batsman, said that “people [meaning opponents] could now be intimidated by us [for the way they are playing]”.

Over three Tests against New Zealand and now versus India, England have played a stunning brand of aggressive cricket alien to Test cricket, but thrilling for the spectators and great for the game.