Key events
Cricinfo report that Phil Salt has presented Bethell with his England cap, so he’ll be making his debut today; lovely stuff.
If i’m not mistaken, this call comes from the Guardian’s Adam Collins. Imagine the aggro Worrall, in the process of converting from Australia to England, will get at the Gabba when – and it does feel like a when – he’s selected for an Ashes tour.
Of course there’s plenty more going on. England, captained by Harry Brook, are in transition, with Jacob Bethell a particularly tasty new option, while Australia also have various new and newish faces in their squad – most notably Mahli Beardman. Add to that the old rivalries, most notably Archer v Smith, and there’s plenty to distract us from whatever else we’re supposed to be doing.
Preamble
Every now and then, sport offers up an individual story that transcends its principal aspect: who wins and who loses. “Not hard,” I hear you snark, given the particularly peculiar nature of this contest, but bear with me.
Though we may be suspicious of what these matches are all about, our excitement – and trepidation – reflects not that, rather the brilliance of Jofra Archer and how much we’ve missed him and it in the time we’ve been bereft of them. But finally, after 18 months away, England’s best bowler is back, likewise the exhilaration of somehow being shocked by pace and lift we know are coming.
Australia, though, are as good as ever, reigning world champions with their own superstar bowler in Adam Zampa. They’ll be ready for whatever Archer can throw at them and, in Travis Head, have one of cricket’s most destructive batters in terrific nick.
Which is to say that, while we may have misgivings about what we’re shortly to enjoy, its essentials could not be more compelling: England are playing Australia and Archer is back. This is going to be good.
Play: 12.30pm BST
