Shortly after lunchtime at Lord’s on Thursday, the situation was as follows: England’s opening batsmen were on their way towards a record stand. Alastair Cook was blazing towards an unforgettable century. Australia’s chief strike bowler, Mitchell Johnson, was aiming more in the direction of Willesden than the wicket.

Their only front-line spinner, Nathan Hauritz, was in hospital with a dislocated finger. And their wicket-keeper and fielders were showering England with gifts, most spectacularly when captain Ricky Ponting let the ball through his legs.