England and the ECB are powerless to say no to India – but the Ashes should come first

But while Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins rest ahead of the Ashes, England’s precious quicks (including Wood) are playing in conditions as far removed from Test cricket in England as it is possible to get with no tangible benefit for English cricket.

Root is experiencing his first IPL but as a tea boy for Rajasthan Royals. He is apparently batting a lot in the nets but that cannot replicate the challenges of facing Australia with a Duke ball in England. His last actual innings was in the Wellington Test in February.

Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have given themselves a better chance by warming up in county cricket than England’s own leading players.

Archer may never play Test cricket again. Who can blame him for wanting to forge his career in India? But England would love to throw him in halfway through the Ashes, to win one Test match at a crucial time. Staying at home, recuperating in England and building up to bowling in red ball cricket would seem the most sensible option.

Stokes could barely walk off the field at Wellington due to his chronic knee injury. He has bowled one very stiff and tentative over for CSK in the IPL and while his latest injury is said to be a toe problem, rather than his knee, it is still the case that England’s most valuable cricketer is working for someone else and nobody really knows when he is going to return (he has been vague when asked).

Harry Brook is in India too and losing confidence as he struggles to adapt to the pressure of being a big-money overseas signing. Perhaps slapping around county attacks (Like Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley) would have been better than exposure to more scrutiny in the world’s biggest league when there is an Ashes coming up. Burnout must be a worry.