That pointed to a wider uncertainty around England, who have not looked close to establishing each player’s role.
Their XI looked a batter light for much of the series – Jamie Overton copping criticism for struggling at number seven despite a decent showing with the ball – but was flipped for the final match, in favour of a batting-heavy approach.
The result was Root and Liam Livingstone combining to fill the role of the fifth bowler and conceding 104 runs between them. Problems appeared wherever England turned.
McCullum and Buttler can point to injuries to Jacob Bethell and Jamie Smith as reasons for the confusion but a squad packed with as many six-foot-plus quicks as frontline batters always had little space to go.
Two of…