England vs India: 1st T20 abandoned at Chester-le-Street

For Harry Brooke, England’s white-ball captain, this series against the world’s strongest limited-overs side is another chance to prove himself as Stokes’ successor.

On Tuesday, Brook said he would accept the Test captaincy if offered and believed it was possible to captain all three England teams simultaneously.

On the field, in a repeat of the World Cup semi-final won by India earlier this year, the visitors again ignored 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi despite last week’s 2-0 series drubbing by Ireland.

After winning the toss and batting, India lost Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan in the second over. Samson was superbly caught by a flying Tom Banton off Shakib Mahmud, and Kishan combined with Abhishek Sharma to run out.

Abhishek made amends with some brutal striking in his 24-ball 59 – a Mahmud over of 21, including two consecutive sixes.

Just as India were threatening to cause chaos, Sam Curran was introduced and bowled Sharma leg before with a clever slower ball. This allowed England’s spinners to control the scoring.

India captain Shreyas Iyer was patient and helped by Shivam Dubey, providing the impetus at the end.

India scored 64 runs in the last six overs, with England’s intelligence showing leg-spinner Adil Rashid’s 17th and 19th. Shreyas 47 to 68, Dubey unbeaten 42 off 21 balls, including a massive straight six off Curran in the last over.

The totals looked almost equal, creating the prospect of an exciting contest, only for rain to call the final.