THE current series between England and India is one of two to be played over five matches, the other being the Ashes. When you consider tradition, economic potential and the contemporary strength of the sides, it represents the closest thing we have to a superpower struggle in cricket. 

Yet, in all reality, the present contest represents a nation on the rise and one in decline — if not freefall — and as the once dominant economic power was able to assert its blueprint of cricket on those who played the sport, the usurper now sits in a position to heavily influence its future direction.

If Lord’s is still considered by sentimentalists as the spiritual home of cricket, it is no longer regarded so by pragmatists as the administrative centre.