3) Headingly 1981 – A lost captaincy invigorates a leaders performance:

After the struggling Ian Botham was rightfully replaced as captain by recalled 39-year-old Mike Brearley the seemingly broken man almost single-handedly turned the English teams misfortunes on its head. With England sitting 227 behind the Aussies the deflated Botham came to the crease and – partnered with Graham Dilley, Chris Old and finally Bob Willis – managed to play some wonderful strokes putting Australia in the position of having to chase 180 runs for the win; a score which seemed to shock all after the prior poor performance of the home side.

Australia began positively reaching 56 for one before Willis was brought in to bowl at which point, behaving like a man possessed, the visiting team was forced into a state of disarray. After flattening Ray Bright’s middle stump Bob Willis had taken an astounding 8 for 43 making England only the second team in history to win a Test after following on. Who would have thought it?

Graeme Swann is the next man to fall, edging Siddle to first slip where Shane Watson completed the formalities. The Nottinghamshire spinner falls for 9 but will be licking his lips at the pitch as it continues to break up. Anderson only lasts two balls as England fall to 375 all out, a lead of 310. Australia will be chasing 311 to win and with six sessions left it isn’t the toughest task. However, fourth innings chases are normally tricky at Trent Bridge leaving the game in the balance once more.

1974- India’s first one-day international (v England, Headingley)

1979- David Gower 200* in England score of 5-633 v India at Edgbaston

2004- Warne takes his 527th Test wicket to equal Murali’s world record

Tom Fordyce, BBC Chief Sports Writer

“Some days of Test cricket are played out in half-empty stadiums, the weather grey, the cricket stodgy. Walking round Trent Bridge this morning is the complete, joyous opposite – thousands of beaming faces, the smell of sun-cream and cold lager, the sun bright, the sky clear and the cricket thrilling. There can be few happier places in the country today.”

Ian Bell has finally fallen for 109 but his knock has put England in a strong position. Starc gets one to straighten a touch and that is another to catch the outside edge which goes through to Haddin. The lead is now up past 300 and as Bell strides off to a standing ovation, Finn takes his place and the next half an hour could produce a few fireworks.