England's young guns learning on the job speaks to a systematic failing | Andy Bull


While India’s Virat Kohli talked up the contribution of his newer players, Joe Root admitted his charges have a way to go yet

There was a weary inevitability about the last day of the series. England 10 for one, 10 for two, 20 for three, 30 for four, the wickets dropping like tired eyelids, loss washing over them like sleep falling on an exhausted man.

It leaves their winter split neatly in two: three handsome victories – two in Sri Lanka by seven wickets and then six wickets, and one in India by 227 runs – followed by three ugly defeats by, respectively, 317 runs, 10 wickets, and an innings and 25 runs.

Related: England fall apart again as spinners wrap up innings win and series for India

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