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Before a ball was bowled against Zimbabwe, two major talking points came out of England's cricket camp.
Ben Stokes is sober. England are humble.
Stokes' news arrived through the Untapped podcast, where he revealed he hasn't had a drink since January 2 and won't until he finishes his injury rehab.
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Oh, and also he's invested in a zero alcohol spirits company called CleanCo.
Then came the second gem.
Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Getty
In March, director of cricket Rob Key told players to "stop talking rubbish", while ahead of the Zimbabwe Test, Brendon McCullum had this to say.
"It's not just about what you do on the cricket field. It's how you carry yourself. It's how you interact with the public. It's the messaging that you give," he told media.
"The ability these guys have to be able to play on the biggest stage, under the brightest lights and the pressure that takes is one thing, but also the ability to be humble and show some humility and not feel out of touch with the general population is something I'd like to see us improve on."
So England are now a humble side. The flogging of Zimbabwe by an innings was humble.
England director of men's cricket Rob Key, head coach Brendan McCullum and Test captain Ben Stokes. Gareth Copley via Getty Images
As expected, the English press loved it.
"They're a good team, and they're really fun to watch, they don't need to do all this stuff but they're doing it all the same so I look forward to elite humility," The Guardian's Barney Ronay said on The Grade Cricketer.
As always with a summer of cricket, there has to be those style of storylines that fill fodder in pieces like this, podcasts and social media alike.
At the end of England's summer though, the biggest talking point will ultimately be results.
A five-match Test series against India will be watched around the world. No Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma means curiosity about how India lines up.
And then you have England, who are now months away from The Ashes in Australia.
So what will Aussie fans need to watch out for from England's summer?
For years, England haven't had a spinner really take the shirt by the scruff of the neck and make it their own.
Shoaib Bashir was selected in the Test against Zimbabwe at Nottingham and played six last season. He finished the Test with nine wickets.
Shoaib Bashir during a nets session. Getty
In the Bazball era, spinners for this side have predominantly played a role of holding down an end. Bashir's 49 wickets at 40.16 suggests so.
At 21, he's raw but seriously talented.
How he would fare on the pace-friendly decks of Australia brings curiosity though. Travis Head may lick his lips at the thought of a lofty on-drive into the crowd at Adelaide Oval off a Bashir off-break.
With five Tests ahead against a quality Indian batting side, we could be about to see the making of this youngster at only such a tender age.
England's fast bowling attack for the Zimbabwe Test consisted of Sam Cook, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes.
Stokes is back bowling, and pushed out 11.2 overs for three wickets.
Sam Cook against Zimbabwe. Getty
Cook debuted against Zimbabwe and won't look back on it with fond memories after 1-119 across both innings. However, he came into this Test with 321 wickets at 19.85 in the first class format. At 27 there's plenty of upside.
Tongue's three Tests in too and is also 27. He debuted in 2023 but has struggled with injuries since.
He wasn't at his best against Zimbabwe either, finishing with two wickets.
At 12 Tests, Atkinson has been the main man early in his career. Once again, at 27.
Gus Atkinson bowling against New Zealand. Getty
He's been seriously impressive – 55 wickets at 22.30 means he should definitely be on a plane to Australia, but he's also battling injuries. A hamstring injury ruled him out of the West Indies ODIs, but he should be back in time for India though.
Then there's Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes floating around. Carse had a toe injury before he played one county match for Durham then featured in the first ODI against the West Indies.
Woakes had an ankle injury and returned for Warwickshire on May 23 and claimed 3-34 and 3-53.
In March, Mark Wood was ruled out for four months after knee surgery and subsequently the India series. The ECB expects him to be fit for The Ashes.
England's Mark Wood. Action Images via Reuters
26-year-old Matthew Potts has also been carrying the drinks for England a lot recently and has 10 Test appearances to his name.
Olly Stone is another who's had a rotten run with injuries. He was ruled out for 14 weeks in April after undergoing surgery on his right knee. He's had back stress fractures throughout his career too and has played five Tests.
He's been the Marnus Labuschagne of England in recent years.
Crawley went into this one-off Test against Zimbabwe having not scored a ton since June 2023.
Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley against Zimbabwe. Getty
Then he shot the lights out with 124 off 171 balls.
Obviously Zimbabwe's bowling attack pales in comparison with India and Australia. But you can only play what's in front of you.
The big test for Crawley will be Bumrah. Usman Khawaja, by his own admission, was getting 'Bumrah'd' over the summer.
England's Bazball mentality has been known for trying their ramps and unique shots. Will Crawley channel Sam Konstas against India?
These five Tests against India will be a big watch for the opener, but considering England's loyalty to him, he'd be almost certain to fly to Australia no matter the result.
This is the man putting the pressure on Crawley and Ollie Pope. He's a 21-year-old sensation, born in Barbados with blinding blonde hair. From his first three Tests, there's three 50s. His strike rate is 75.14.
Jacob Bethell. Getty
The man is a thing of Bazball beauty.
Bethell wasn't brought back to England from the IPL for the Zimbabwe Test.
Steve Harmison was confused by that decision.
"If Jacob Bethell is in your best 1 to 11, you drag him back from the IPL," he said on TalkSPORT.
"You drag him back and he plays in this game. If you think he is going to be in your 1 to 11 against India, and I mean this in respect to Zimbabwe, you come and fill your boots here."
Nonetheless, considering how well Bethell is rated, he'll feature against India. And against Australia.
The biggest talking point is how Bethell, Pope and Crawley fit in. Duckett is a definite opener, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes fill out the rest of the batting order.
Jofra Archer will face a fitness battle before The Ashes. ICC via Getty Images
An Ashes without Jofra Archer would be a big miss.
His absence in the last one was telling.
He'll bring the pace, the tension and everything else.
He's been ruled out of England's ODI series against the West Indies after suffering a thumb injury in the IPL.
Archer has been flagged as an inclusion for the England Lions' two four-day matches against India which would've been his preparation for the Indian series.
The fast bowler has battled an elbow injury and stress fractures in his back since 2021.
It will be a big loss if the 30-year-old isn't on our shores come November.
The Australian coach conducted a wide-ranging chat with Gerard Whateley on SEN ahead of the WTC final.
Andrew McDonald has been coach of Australia since 2022. Getty
He was asked about England and what to expect before summer.
McDonald's focus was all on their fast bowlers.
"They've had some injuries to their fast bowling brigade … that bowling quartet or five, six, however many they bring out it'll be interesting to see who's fit and available at the time and then what style they'll play in Australia," he said.
"They've used a lot of bouncers against us as a team. The wickets here have changed a little bit so are they preparing for what the wickets used to be like versus what they are now? Have they got strengths on seaming wickets? They've got some decisions to make before they get here.
"As always with a touring team they'll bring out a big squad and have all those options available. It'll be interesting to see where there fast bowling brigade's at come The Ashes."
The first Test between England and India starts on June 20.
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England has a blockbuster five-Test series ahead against India. What does it mean for The Ashes? – Nine
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