51�Թ�

The straight bat was still being pushed firmly forward at Wembley when he was asked whether this meant he was saying he wanted the job: "I will definitely not be saying that. I am totally relaxed about the situation. I have got to do a good job."

"This is not a spin. I expect my politics to be played with a straight bat."

Foakes, also unconvincing in the first innings, was a composed ally, defending with a straight bat and scoring with the occasional sweep.

Farrell's persona - straight bat, straight face and flat vowels - sticks out in a sporting world of spin and schmooze.

"The best way to get this on to the statute books is to play this with a very straight bat."