Andrew Strauss: Everyone is honest in their mind

"The players' reaction to it all has been very businesslike. Everyone is honest in their mind that we've just got to get on with the game "I just don't see how we can do anything else, other than play these last two games, because we have no idea as to whether these allegations are at all credible or not.

Gul, something of an Oval specialist having taken 5-6 against New Zealand at the ground in last year's World Twenty20, swung the game in Pakistan's favour, but prior to his intervention England had seemed favourites to seal a victory that would have established an unassailable 3-0 series lead.

In the end, the coin was spun on time, but the Trott/Riaz clash was the latest unsavoury event in a depressing 24 hours for cricket, and it was no surprise to see many empty seats at Lord's during the opening exchanges of the match, with 5000 tickets still unsold before today.