Woakes batted for the Lions XI and may well have to wait for his chance in the Ashes series while Ollie Robinson bowled 12 overs for England and Stokes took two for 21. One strong clue from the England line up was the selection of Jonny Bairstow at six, with Ollie Pope at three for the Lions and was dismissed by Joe Root for 27. The Lions finished on 226 for four.

Australia confirmed Alex Carey as their wicketkeeper for the first Test, replacing Paine who is taking a break for his mental health after his humiliating exit as captain.

“I think what’s happened in both camps, a lot of the issues are personal and cricket is played best when that sort of stuff is left to the side and we let the skills do the talking,” said Woakes.

Whether that plea falls on deaf ears when the series hots up remains to be seen. England’s last two tours have featured spicy sledging from Michael Clarke threatening Anderson with a broken arm eight years ago and David Warner going at full blast in 2017-18.

In the past games against state sides were competitive and gave England a taste of what was to come, both from a cricket point of view and verbally. This time it is different. Little can be read into intra-squad games but it was noticeable that Jack Leach struggled for consistency and was attacked by the batsmen. It is no surprise that he lacks rhythm, and he conceded 69 from 18 overs as the Lions gave him a taste of the aggression he will face in the Test series if picked.

Stokes bowled sharply on a pitch with good bounce although a wet, slow outfield made it a long day for the England fielders but at least they were outside, finally, and have a modicum of practice behind them ahead of the Test.