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The Ashes in 2013 was built up as the clash of the big names, specifically the two captains.
Michael Clarke and Alastair Cook, taking over the captaincy of their sides in 2011 and 2012 respectively, had recently been churning runs at a rate rarely seen in the modern era, both in terms of magnitude and velocity.
It’s hardly a surprise then Australia were only competitive against South Africa last home summer with Clarke scoring century after century, and likewise England with Cook in India.
If either failed in both innings, the match was as good as gone.
With both sides having relatively similar bowling attacks in terms of ability, although Graeme Swann comfortably takes the spin crown, it has been left to see which side can construct a more composed innings; and although always important, the value of composure in this series has reached heights rarely seen in the game.
It is why this series was made for both Clarke and Cook. Their composure under pressure, an ability to regather control of a game for their respective sides when they had no right, led to their promotions as two of the best batsmen in the world.
Their importance to the side is even more obvious now, with Michael Hussey (retired) and Kevin Pietersen (struggling with form/injury) no longer a reliable safety net below them.
However, both have struggled this series, only notching up one half-century apiece in conditions made to look second-rate by not only themselves but their compatriots as well.
That may well have more to do with the ability of the batsmen than the pitch, or the quality of the opposing bowlers, because it is still certainly playable – just ask Ian Bell.
In the first two Tests, Bell has been the only batsman to show consistent composure, displaying an ability to adapt to conditions and assert a control for England that has rarely been threatened.
It is clear factors including experience, a near flawless technique, and a mentality of battle-hardened determination (which is, ironically, usually associated with his current opposition) have all contributed to this run of consecutive centuries.
Shane Watson, Chris Rogers, and Jonathon Trott have all shown consistent glimpses of these qualities, but all too soon have been walking back to the pavilion.
It is why we keep waiting in hope every innings, a desire for a personal optimism to be achieved by members of ‘our’ team.
However, it is becoming increasingly obvious these three are not the saviours for there respective sides.
It is therefore both surprising, and reflective of the circumstances, that a bunch of rookies have become both nations’ hope.
It is not that all of Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow (England), Usman Khawaja, Phillip Hughes, and Steve Smith (Australia) have made convincing starts and, at times, shown the qualities Bell is currently possessing, but the fact you feel it is only this small matter of time before one goes on and steals the game from their opposition.
Joe Root did it at Lord’s, backing up Ian Bell with a substantial score of 180 usually associated with the captain of his side, Cook.
Phillip Hughes was well on his way with 81* at Trent Bridge before he ran out of partners. And the rest have made convincing 50s at a time when runs are as hard to come by as wickets.
It is the fact you feel this energy about them, this determination to go big, that convinces you they have more to give – much more.
The feeling is matched by hope and anticipation, and a knowledge that when they do they will most certainly win their side the game.
Clarke and Cook will score runs eventually this series, they are too good not to, but they will simply cancel one another out. And with Bell’s run having to end at some stage, you feel as though one rookie will be the difference.
The only question is, who?
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