England’s five all-time best batting days

1. Rawalpindi 2022

Flat pitch, naive bowling, but a superlative achievement to score 506 for four off only 75 overs, launched by the fastest opening stand ever of 200-plus. The game plan was enacted perfectly.

2. Edgbaston 2005

Having bowed the knee to Australia since 1989, England bit back at last in the second Ashes Test, scoring 407 off 79.2 overs after Glenn Mcgrath had pulled out. Australia were shocked, the worm had turned.

3. Trent Bridge 2022

Few people, apart from Ben Stokes and

Brendon Mccullum perhaps, thought England could win as New Zealand went into the final day with a decent lead and three wickets left. England, set 299, knocked them off in only 50 overs to win by five wickets, Jonny Bairstow hitting 136 off just 92 balls.

4. Brisbane 2010-11

Not quite as speedy, but still satisfying. England, 221 behind Australia on first innings, went into day four on 19 without loss, and reached 309 for one – leading to a declaration on 517 for one. Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott made centuries, Alastair Cook 235 not out.

5. Lord’s 1990

England ended day one against India on 359 for two. Graham Gooch was unbeaten on 194, on his way to 333. With a flat pitch and friendly Dukes ball, there was an element of help yourself.