With Jos Buttler doubtful for the winter Ashes, Bairstow’s slip catch to dismiss KL Rahul strengthened his claim
A bear prowled the worn area of grass at second slip, with the feline Joe Root to his immediate left. As he contemplated the next delivery, he pulled at his long-sleeved, cable knit jumper and hitched up his trousers. Between balls he repeatedly chewed at his huge paws.
And, after a morning of watching hostile but ultimately fruitless bowling from Jimmy Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Craig Overton and Sam Curran – the bear had his moment. The last ball before lunch was a ripper from Overton, a zipping short ball with marching energy that straightened at the last. KL Rahul, who had somehow survived an lbw in the tenth over, reviewing for a dare only to discover the ball really had just darted past leg stump, was tempted.
