Unlike the others, Stokes never produced a defining Ashes series – his performances against Australia came in isolation – but he was a better captain than Botham and Flintoff.

And captaincy is Stokes’ second legacy. England often anoint future skippers a long way out – they are usually specialist batters. Stokes was never tipped for leadership, only to reveal himself as a superb man-manager and innovative tactician.

With 24 wins from his 44 matches in charge, Stokes tasted victory more often than any other captain since Brearley, widely regarded as England’s best.

Again, Stokes’ time in charge cannot be framed by numbers alone.

When he took control, English cricket was completely deflated – one win in 17 Tests and drained by Covid restrictions.

Stokes, with head coach Brendon McCullum, breathed life into the team and captured the imagination of the public.

At its best, Bazball challenged perceptions of how Test cricket could be played. The cricket was exhilarating, the atmosphere intoxicating and results – for a short while – sensational.

Stokes the skipper never got his Ashes moment. It could have been in 2023, but his team were too carefree until it was too late. A win down under last winter would have been the crowning glory of Stokes’ career, only for the tour to fall apart on his watch.

It was the aftermath of that trip that set the wheels in motion for Stokes’ departure.

His career was not supposed to end with a series defeat by New Zealand at Trent Bridge. It was supposed to be a fairytale reclaiming of the urn at The Oval next summer. Instead, what happened in Australia denied Stokes another crack at the Australians.

Stokes was thinking about ending his career before the fateful drinking session in a London nightclub – feelings had already grown during the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.

The events in the Rex Rooms, controversy and fallout, culminating with Stokes’ sudden retirement, announced in the middle of a bowling spell, have led to claims, conspiracies and conjecture.

Perhaps, at the end of it all, things that were said should have been taken at face value.

Neither McCullum nor director of cricket Rob Key were able to back Stokes as captain because they knew how close he was to the end, and McCullum said he was worried about Stokes because he was genuinely worried about Stokes.

Those at Durham saw nothing to be concerned about, because Stokes was happy there – he’s since told us as much. When he returned to captain England at Trent Bridge and said it was for “this week”, he meant it.