An absorbing day at the Oval

Yesterday I travelled up from the coast to watch an always thrilling day’s play in which England batted twice and set up victory.

I confess I had my doubts about Ben Stokes as captain: a brilliant cricketer indubitably, but not a shrewd enough tactician and probably another Freddie Flintoff or Ian Botham.

How wrong I was as he has liberated the team.

They now have no fear and ‘go for it’ is the mantra.

Other captains would surely have dropped Zak Crawley for his paltry contribution of runs but in the final hour of a sun-filled Oval he despatched the South African pace  attack – arguably the best in Test cricket – to all parts of the ground.

Normally I would leave an hour before the end but I sat there glued to the finish.

Only a strange and unpopular decision to come off for bad light robbed England of victory last evening.

We saw both sides bat in one day.

South Africa’s batting line up once again looked brittle.

Stuart Broad, at 35, bowled hit heart out and stirred the crowd.

It was right to cancel one day’s play out of respect for the late Queen but these condensed Tests have revived that format.

The hospitality in the Corinthian Suite was first rate.

I have to admit that the cheese board and red wine did induce a siesta …

Nevertheless, after that I was thoroughly engaged from a brilliant vantage point behind the bowler’s arm atop the Finn Stand.

Aside from a crowded and uncomfortable train journey, it was a perfect day and so I am now an advocate of being present – not watching sport on TV.