Ben Stokes urges 'fearless' England to be role models as Azeem Rafiq scandal casts shadow over Test

It is 11 years since England managed a clean sweep at home in a series longer than two Tests and if they complete the whitewash against New Zealand this week it will be achieved in style.

Ben Stokes has urged his team to be “even more fearless, positive and aggressive” and declared they are in the “entertainment business” rather than “sports business”. It is hard to see how they can be more aggressive than nine an over a Trent Bridge - perhaps strapping knuckle dusters to their batting gloves?

But it was wise to keep eyes peeled at nets on Wednesday with the ball flying to all parts at times and it was noticeable how long Brendon McCullum spent chatting to the bowling group.

Headingley is a ground that rewards a full length - England bowled India out here last year for 78 and Pakistan in 2018 for two scores below 150 by pitching the ball up more than in any other Tests here since 2006. The wicket balls at Headingley are significantly fuller in length than anywhere else in England, almost a half a metre more than at Trent Bridge, Lord’s and Edgbaston so it is not hard to imagine what McCullum’s chat to the bowlers entailed.

Last year’s surface nipped, this one looks flat, Yorkshire no doubt wanting five days to fill empty coffers, and England also keen to continue their progress by winning on surfaces similar to those they will encounter overseas. The way England are batting under McCullum would be a lot harder on a green mamba as well.

Jamie Overton gives Stokes that extra menace with the short ball and his pace will be important if the pitch gives the bowlers little help. The Dukes are not swinging as much either this year despite the umpteen ball changes. James Anderson was part of the bowling group, and led