Hodgson's England scouting trip

England's session of warm-up football at The Oval took on a slightly more competitive edge on Tuesday, due to the presence of one particular onlooker. Roy Hodgson, manager of the England football team, was in attendance to see Australia and England train ahead of the fifth and final Ashes Test.

Some of England's cricketers possibly fancied their chances of a call-up. Stuart Broad tweeted: "We may have won The Ashes but the highlight of my summer was the England Football manager enthusiastically clapping a rapid one touch counter attacking move from our team in footy warm up!"

Trevor Bayliss's team have already achieved their goal for the summer, so Hodgson was able to offer words of praise before the players began practice. Hodgson has experienced success in various European leagues during a 40-year coaching career but, given England's somewhat patchy record in major football tournaments, it was perhaps a good thing he wasn't required to offer inspiration ahead of a series decider.

Hodgson said that he had "rekindled" his love for the game since returning to coach in England a few years ago and that he had been following the Ashes on TV. Test cricket during the Ashes is arguably more sexy than 4-4-2 but Hodgson's tastes, perhaps unsurprisingly, are on the traditional side.

"I quite enjoy watching all forms of the game but I don't know that much about it," he said. "But I do enjoy the Test matches, very much so."

It might be a downer for England to realise that Hodgson's presence was down to a link with the Australians. During his spell in charge of Liverpool in 2010-11, Hodgson worked with Peter Brukner, now the Australia team doctor, who invited him to come along to The Oval. Avid Chelsea fan Alec Stewart, otherwise known as the former England captain who is now Surrey's director of cricket, then facilitated a get together with Bayliss.

"I know Alec, I know his dad Micky quite well, and of course he said 'hang around' and I'll introduce you to Trevor Bayliss," Hodgson said.

"It's nice to meet Darren Lehmann and Trevor and hear and watch what their ideas on leadership are and compare them with your own. It's always nice as a coach to meet other coaches working at the top level of their sport."

There was no mention of whether the conversation turned to World Cups, of which Lehmann has personally won more than England's footballers and cricketers combined. Bayliss, charged with making England genuine challengers in 2019, might be better off looking elsewhere for advice.