The upcoming edition – its 14th – will be played in the United Arab Emirates, starting from September 15, but the absence of hype is noticeable. Comparatively, there was more fanfare two years ago, when plenty of factors coincided to make the 13th edition a relatively memorable competition.

It was the first to be played as a T20I tournament – it also served as an appetiser to the World Twenty20 that followed – and it goes without saying the format automatically made it a more popular event than one based on the one-day game.

And finally, there’s Hong Kong. It’s difficult to see the Associate side even get out of their group – they are pooled with India and Pakistan – but the experience will be invaluable, and if they can push their decorated opponents to the limits, they’d have more than done their job. They will already be celebrating the ICC’s decision to classify all their matches as ODIs, despite having lost that status earlier this year.

All of which makes it seem as if there is nothing wrong with the event. That isn’t quite the case, though, and the success of this edition will dictate how its existential crisis is navigated.

Watch England in the Caribbean for as little as £1,305 with ST Sports, official tour operator for the Windies’ international home series in 2019