Another tour of Asia, another resounding series defeat for England’s ODI team. The good news is, the subcontinent is only part of the picture in World cricket – and the next World Cup there isn’t due for at least one generation.
The tightening of the ‘Kolpak’ regulations in recent times (the ruling that allows overseas players to play cricket in England without being classed as such) is one reason why many counties may have offered enhanced opportunities to promising youngsters, cricketers that would generally have been expecting a season largely consisting of second XI fixtures.