Just 15 overs remained before the captains could shake on a draw and, apart from Bell clubbing Mishra down the ground for four and Strauss cutting Harbhajan to the same effect, they were largely uneventful.

BBC: India win series with Mohali draw

Moreover, holding the poll on the same day as next year's elections to the Stormont Assembly might have a beneficial knock-on effect for Mr Trimble, whose centre-ground supporters have appeared increasingly reluctant to come out to vote.

BBC: Unionist pressure results in border call