Photo via BBC Sport

England chasing the rainbow with more questions than answers

In 2026, English cricket entered a post-Bazball reality with Joe Root returning to the Test captaincy alongside the reappearance of Kevin Pietersen. Following Ben Stokes's departure, Root guided the squad through a 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan, a campaign that featured contributions from Jordan Cox, Emilio Gay, and Dan Lawrence.

32 alongside right-arm quicks Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, and Gus Atkinson in a formidable four-prong pace lineup reminiscent of 2005.

Yet old frailties resurfaced during the third Test at Edgbaston when an assault from Razaullah threw the hosts into disarray, prompting Root to briefly leave the playing arena. Interim coach Marcus Trescothick openly acknowledged frustration over that chaotic spell, departing from the prior regime's relentless optimism.

This summer continues a recurring pattern of unresolved questions during Rob Key's four-plus years overseeing cricket operations, echoing earlier shortcomings like the 2023 drawn Ashes, a 2024 home loss to Sri Lanka at The Oval, and an inability to claim the deciding match versus India in 2025.