England win Test series 2-0.

It may have passed your notice as sporting events and achievements outside the UK are sparsely covered but New Zealand, without Kane Williamson, won their series in India this year 3-0. The odds on this were 2000-1.

England lost theirs in Pakistan 1-2. After winning the first Test, Pakistan prepared spinners’ wickets to win the next two Tests and the series. Ben Stokes did not perform well with either bat nor ball and all of this augured badly for the tour of New Zealand.

England won the second Test handsomely in Wellington and the first in Christchurch, where Ben Stokes was born.

Stokes took 3 wickets and scored runs. Jacob Bethell – only 21 – made a mighty contribution of 96 whilst Gus Atkinson took a hat-trick in the first innings and Stokes scored 49 not out and took 3-5.

So Stokes is back to favour and form and youngsters with potential are coming off the pipeline.

Maybe the Ashes this time next year will be more closely contested than many predict.