Talisman Stokes at Edgbaston evokes Flintoff’s 2005 impact – but he is due a score

A day out from the second Test against India at Edgbaston and Andrew Flintoff was dog-sticking to England’s batters in the nets, his very presence bringing memories of 20 years ago flooding back. It was here where Flintoff wrote his name into Ashes folklore, igniting the afterburners for England’s statement first innings, rescuing the second with a six-laden counterattack, and then sending down a famous over on the third evening that vaporised Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting.

As well as driving England to that famous two-run victory, 141 runs and seven wickets across the four days made it Flintoff’s statistical peak as a fast-bowling all-rounder – the only time he went north of 100 runs and five wickets in the same Test. People often underestimate the physical and mental demands that the dual role places on those hardy enough to even attempt it; expecting both facets of their game to deliver consistently is unrealistic save for a handful of freakish greats.

None of which is to question Stokes’ centrality to a team that live and breathe his every word – not least given the earlier point about sustaining all-round returns, though it is fair to say he’s due a score. It may simply be that Stokes has instinctively moved to bolster the area where the team need him most. The bowling attack has suffered a significant drop-off in experience since the retirements of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, hard-working though it is, whereas the top seven are beginning truly to blossom around the enduring, unflappable class of Joe Root.

One thing that can be guaranteed is that Edgbaston and Birmingham’s Manhattan-esque skyline will deliver a mighty backdrop for the match, the ground sold out for the first four days and the Hollies Stand no doubt set to be in full voice. A week on from folks leaving Headingley slightly baffled by the ground’s exclusion from the 2027 Ashes, it is worth noting that Edgbaston will be frozen out four years later. Think back to Flintoff’s herculean all-round feats here 20 years ago, or some of the famous Test battles since, and the situation is no less frustrating.