Scyld Berry

It did not take long for the harsh reality of the England captaincy to come back and bite Joe Root.

Remember when England were the masters of the Test run chase? The aura has dimmed a lot since those early, innocent days of the Bazballers and even

England started well in the second Test at the Oval, with three Test debutants in their side, before steadily unravelling.

On a boiling afternoon at Trent Bridge, when the wind itself was warm, it might have been a mirage. Or it might have been a vision of England 's future as a Test team.

No England cricketer has been so inspiring over such a long period as Ben Stokes – until his final act, that is, when the captain led his team in the sinking of his ship.

ANALYSIS: Decision to open batting was based on bravado, not brains – but we will never see the likes of this inspirational all-rounder again.

England's 2-1 defeat by New Zealand represents one of their poorest results at home in a generation.

Scyld Berry

Ben Stokes's sudden retirement , less than a year before the next Ashes, stems from English cricket having a governing body that is not fit for purpose.

Will Macpherson, Scyld Berry Heather Knight has become the second England legend after Ben Stokes to perform a mid-Test retirement in recent weeks.