The bowler produced his fastest spell in five years, helping send the one-day series to its finale in Bristol at 2-2

After England’s barnstorming series-leveller against Australia at Lord’s, it is time for the two teams to invoke the spirit of the Pet Shop Boys – or the Village People, for those of a certain vintage – and go west. The only problem for Sunday’s tantalising decider in Bristol is an afternoon forecast that is more Wet Wet Wet.

At the Metro Bank One-Day Cup final officials invoked common sense for its reserve day on Monday and scheduled a 20-over match before the expected rain. The regulations may prove more rigid for an international match, however, raising the prospect of a 2-2 draw between these two countries for the second summer in a row. It’s not the Ashes, but it would still be a bit of an anticlimax.