On a chilly night at Chester-le-Street came an England performance to warm the cockles of the hardy home supporters. It was ended by late rain that swept in but through Harry Brook’s sublime unbeaten 110, this victory against Australia hinted at progress and News Today clawed one back in a previously one-sided series.

The two teams travel to Lord’s for the fourth instalment on Friday with Australia, now 2-1 up, doubtless keen to seal matters at the ground that gave a number of them an earful during the Ashes last summer.

There was no such hostility at the Riverside, just 14,000 punters in zipped-up overcoats roaring England to the finish line before the soggy conclusion and what became a 46-run win via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.