Lawrence Booth

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY LAWRENCE BOOTH: It's possible no English summer has generated as many uses of the phrase 'the penny has dropped' than 2026, but for Duckett it feels more than a cliche.

With South Africa to come this winter, it's still all to play for among England's leading batsmen. Here, Daily Mail Sport assesses the runners and riders, and their chances of nailing down a spot.

Ben Stokes hated the word 'ruthless' because he felt it was only ever used after the event, but Joe Root 's England clearly have no such qualms.

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT EDGBASTON: The fire alarm proved false, and Pakistan saved at least a little face by reaching 52 for two before rain ended play shortly after 5pm.

Moments after Ollie Robinson, immovable from the crest of his wave, had Saim Ayub caught in the slips by Harry Brook from the first ball of Pakistan's second innings, a PA announcement warned Edgbaston stewards of a ‘Code Red'.

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT EDGBASTON: A total of 449 after five surrenders below 200 made a welcome change for their supporters and provided England's bowlers with a useful reality check.

LAWRENCE BOOTH: Robinson finished the home Test season with numbers once thought possible only in the era of uncovered pitches and rudimentary batting techniques.

It is just over a decade since Aneurin Donald, who will make his England debut in Tuesday's first T20 against Sri Lanka, was terrorising motorists in the Welsh seaside town of Colwyn Bay.

LAWRENCE BOOTH: Pietersen joined up with the squad in Southampton on Sunday ahead of Tuesday first T20 against Sri Lanka - the first of six limited-overs games in 13 days

Brendon McCullum has admitted Kevin Pietersen was 'shocked' when he first asked him to join England's white-ball set-up as a batting mentor.