There was once a time when any T20 played at Lord’s represented enough of a meeting of worlds old and new, without needing this kind of intrusion from the cricketing future.
But as Surrey and Middlesex’s players warmed up ahead of their Vitality Blast opener here, confirmation broke of a story that had been rumbling along quietly for some time, plenty louder through the day, and will in time no doubt prove another watershed moment for English game.
