By promoting Moeen Ali to No.3 in the second innings at the Ageas Bowl, Joe Root showed everyone what he really thought about batting in that position for this England team.

Root has always been a reluctant three, recently acquiescing for the greater good of his team since undertaking captaincy. His record gives weight to his preference, he averages 52 at four, and 40 at three so it looks likely that he will remain at four for the foreseeable future.

Four centuries this summer at average of over 60 suggest that he is a player in form. At 36, he would be nothing more than a quick fix, that might not be an issue for a team that perennially finds itself 50-2.

However, if you take out his runs against Glamorgan this season, he averages a far less eye-catching 34.15. Even at his peak, he only averaged 38 batting three for England.