Truth is that Kumble is off colour, is drifting his lively wrist spin towards and often outside leg stump, and has had his measure taken by most England batsmen.

This slim and studious figure tortured England when they were in India three years ago and tortured county cricket last summer, when he took 105 wickets for Northamptonshire at 20 apiece. The county's most celebrated bowler, Frank Tyson, would have been pleased with that.

World cricket has a rush of leg spinners at present, but only in name can Kumble be included among them. His one success yesterday illustrated as much, for Chris Lewis was trapped by the top-spinner, the stock in trade.

Kumble is not a man who specialises in temptation, indeed not one of those wickets last season was a stumping, nor were many caught in the deep. He is an examiner of technique and patience, a modern and accurate spinner who works his opponent over with the threat of close fielders before deceiving him with changes in pace, rather than subtleties of flight.

But England have not been confused by him, let alone deceived, not even last evening when he bowled around the wicket - v la Warne - into the rough outside Min Patel's leg stump. Heavens, even England's No 10 was swotting him to the boundary.

It may have been the cold of May that held back his preparation, it may be a loss of form. Most likely Kumble has paid a price for his exposure in county cricket rather than profited from it. I wonder if he wishes that he had kept his secrets to himself?