RICHARD GIBSON AT TRENT BRIDGE: It contained an inadvertent poke in the eye for his trouble, but the exuberant celebrations that greeted Archer's second new-ball wicket told the story.

Ben Stokes walked out to uproarious applause and trudged off to pindrop silence. In between, he scored 15 before being bowled, and left with a glare at the pitch. It was vintage late-era Stokes.

Trying to build a fanbase from scratch for a new team that won't play any matches at home in its first season would seem to be challenging enough.

RICHARD GIBSON: Tension was simmering on the second morning of the second hottest day of Test cricket in this country and Jamie Smith was back in the crosshairs.

Ben Duckett worked Mitchell Santner into the leg side, set off for a single and roared 'Yes!' even before he reached the other end.

RICHARD GIBSON: The weather that greeted the start of the 68th such contest here on the banks of the River Trent was inhospitable with the mercury peaking at 32 degrees.

Bobby 'Bobjee' Rao was a current Test cricketer for India when he fetched up in Strabane as a professional player in 1980.

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT TRENT BRIDGE: Of all the things that may yet bring the curtain down on this breathless era in English cricket, no one gave much thought to the toss of a coin.

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT TRENT BRIDGE: Only one outcome in Nottingham this week will prevent meltdown. For the ECB, and the wider English game, anything else does not bear thinking about.

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT THE OVAL: Henry took just seven deliveries to begin the ugly demise as he nipped one back to pin interim England captain Joe Root on the pad.

RICHARD GIBSON: Ben Stokes apologised to his players for making last week about him not them after returning to captain England in the third Test against New Zealand.