The subsequent flatlining of Compton’s form during that comfortable 2-0 series victory screamed for change and, while Durham’s Scott Borthwick was initially earmarked for the role, Bayliss and Cook decided before last Thursday’s selection meeting that now was the right time to sound out Root over the possibility of turning an idea they had been drip-feeding to him since the start of the year into reality.
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“If you cheat the system either by taking drugs or money to under-perform then you are mugging the spectators, your team-mates and a sport that has been around a lot longer than you”.
“People always deserve a second chance in life but sport is different”, the 36-year old wrote in his column in the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday.
Pietersen said devaluing the sport which is one’s livelihood is like breaking the 11th and 12th commandments of the Bible. The only thing is we are here to play good cricket and here to play competitive cricket against an England team who are very good in their home conditions. “There can be no way back”, he said.
“I saw him (last week) and he was doing OK”.
“But as a bowler he has the power”. The pacer received a five-year ban and returned to worldwide cricket last year after a slightly reduced period.
Despite the shadow cast over Pakistan’s last visit to Lord’s, Amir’s name remains on the honours board for his first-innings 6 for 84. “Good pace, gets the ball to reverse swing, so it will be interesting to see how that goes throughout the series”. This means that margins of 2-1 or 1-0 win will be enough for the Three Lions to jump over Pakistan.
England should have gambled on paceman James Anderson’s fitness and included him in the squad for the first Test against Pakistan at Lord’s, teammate Stuart Broad believes.
Thursday (July 14) sees England and Pakistan meet at Lord’s for the opening Test in a four-match series.
Pakistan have a strong middle order in skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, fellow veteran Younis Khan and the in-form Asad Shafiq.
Joe Root has dismissed Pakistan’s bid to unsettle his move up England’s order to number three as “trash talk”.
Joe Root reckons he can put an end to Alastair Cook’s wind-ups and prove his class as a top order batsman with his move to No.3.
“Then they calmed down and now they are trying to get along with him”.
He added: “What has happened has gone now”.
The match will also mark the return to Test cricket of England batsman Gary Ballance after he was dropped previous year.
“No-one is reluctant”, said Riaz.
Ball appears the more likely starter after being a part of the England squad through the three-Test Sri Lanka series, with the Nottinghamshire quick claiming 35 wickets at 22 to date this summer. It was really nice of them to say that [the best batsman should be at No3] and I feel I’m gaining confidence all the time with the experience I’m getting playing more and more Tests.
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Back home in Pakistan, however, ex-players and most fans have come around to forgiving the left-arm pacer, citing his youth at the time of his crime and early admission – though some still have reservations about what example his return sets to would-be fixers. Being without Anderson is blow for England.
