The bloated international calendar throws up enough forgettable cricket as it is. Surely then we can sidestep rain-ruined farces such as the opening T20 between England and South Africa in Cardiff.

England captain Harry Brook summed up the mood perfectly after his side lost a contest that lasted just 12.5 overs in total, admitting: “It was a bit of a shambles of a night.”

You felt for Brook and all the other players from both teams who were forced to go through the motions to fulfil an obligation even though the wet conditions were deemed hazardous enough for England, with an eye on this winter’s Ashes, to leave out fast bowler Jofra Archer.

“As soon as we knew the game was shortened we didn’t think it was quite safe for Jof to play,” Brook said. “The outfield was sodden and he’s got a

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