A new national selector, new faces, a new batting order but some old failings haunted England at the start of a new summer. So much for a fresh beginning for Joe Root who, by the end of a thoroughly disappointing opening day, must surely have been second-guessing his own judgment at the toss when he spurned the chance of exploiting enticing bowling conditions in the morning against a team with a potentially porous batting line-up of its own. Test cricket is a long game, there is plenty of time left in the match and there is always more than one route to victory. In that sense, judgment must always be reserved until the end, but with morning drizzle, overcast conditions and a fresh, green tinge…

Source: The Times May 24, 2018 19:30 UTC