If Brendon McCullum’s bold new era is an illusion it is a persuasive one | Jonathan Liew

England still have a frail top order and an unbalanced attack but this team do not need to dwell on failings from the past

Shortly after half past five a wild and barbarous noise consumed Headingley, the sort that brings local residents to their windows and the day-trippers in the hospitality boxes streaming out on to the balconies.

A few of the dozing members in the pavilion may even have been stirred from their evening slumbers. Out in the middle Stuart Broad was pumping his arms like a preacher. England’s slip cordon were clapping in time, beating out a fearsome tribal rhythm.

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