England’s lead-up to the series has been a cause for concern but head coach has urged Pope and co to let Pakistan hurt wash over them

As a sideline to the day job as England’s head coach, Brendon McCullum owns and breeds racehorses in his native New Zealand. And when a “big chestnut with a pale face and dodgy legs” emerged from the stable a while back, it apparently rang too many bells not to name it after his partner in crime, Ben Stokes.

“That horse has got a big heart, too, so I thought it was perfect,” said McCullum, before England swapped their training base in Queenstown for sunny Christchurch. The pair even went to watch the captain’s namesake, Stokes, claim a creditable third-place finish at nearby Riccarton Park racecourse before this tour of New Zealand officially got underway, despite some concerns about its readiness.