New leader of England’s Test attack is ready for the challenge of Pakistan after show of faith from Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes

“It was after the Oval Test and Baz came over and said: ‘You’re in. You’ve had a great summer in terms of stepping up to lead the attack and I want your experience. I feel you can have a really positive impact on the other players, on and off the field. I can’t guarantee selection but we want you to fulfil that role for us this winter.’”

With that, Chris Woakes was folding up his England whites and popping them in the suitcase for the first time in two and a half years. Destination? Multan, for the three-Test series against Pakistan that begins on Monday. The mission? A series win, naturally. But, on a personal level, a correction to the numbers and narrative that make this return to life on the road a very Brendon McCullum selection.