Even if they win this first Test, England have a tender spot at wicketkeeper. A return for Ben Foakes would be progressive
As the clock ticked past 4.36pm, the sun already burning through the mid-afternoon haze, there was some literal Bazball to be seen on the lime-green Edgbaston outfield – raw, foraged Bazball – as Brendon McCullum took Jonny Bairstow for his wicketkeeping warmup before Australia’s fourth-innings chase.
And of course it wasn’t about the catches, walloped into the gloves with a deliciously grizzled bat. This was all about the hugs, the words in the ear, the million‑dollar smile, the sense of voodoo, bro‑vibes, man‑feelings.
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