Dropped catches lose matches, or so one of the oldest cricketing adages goes. The saying is often trotted out because so often it’s true.

Way back at the Ashes series in 1936-7, Walter Robins spilled a slip catch offered by Don Bradman. His skipper, Gubby Allen, is said to have told him not to worry, he had probably just cost England the Ashes (or some such words).