England played like a “car without a wheel” as they struggled to cope without injured all-rounder Ben Stokes, with Pakistan in control after day two of the third Test at Edgbaston.
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Much therefore depended on the next stand between Vince and Ballance, who fared well either side of lunch until the former paid for revisiting his uncertainty outside off stump and edged Sohail low to second slip as he tried to take the bat away. It was unacceptable. I apologised to both umpires for my behaviour.
Anderson was twice warned by umpire Bruce Oxenford for running on the pitch and may face action from match referee Richie Richardson if it is decided he spoke out of turn to the official.
It was a disheartening day for Anderson, who claimed 1-32 on a sluggish surface but saw vice-captain Joe Root floor a catching opportunity when Azhar Ali was on 38.
“He will now work towards being available for selection during the Royal London one-day global series, starting later this month”.
“Having seen my reactions on TV it doesn’t look great”. I don’t necessarily think it was what I said, it was just the way I behaved.
That, however, was of little concern to a delighted Azhar, whose innings left the match intriguingly poised, with the four-Test series all square at 1-1.
“It is a balancing act, because my competitiveness has helped me in the past to get where I am and I don’t want to lose that but I want to play in the spirit of the game”.
That was nearly Azhar’s undoing, though, as he advanced down the track and smashed a return catch to Moeen Ali, the ball bursting through the off-spinner’s hands as he attempted to snare a hard chance above his head.
Azhar Ali was out for 139 off the last ball of the day when caught by England captain Alastair Cook at first slip off Chris Woakes.
181 by Aslam and Azhar Ali is the second highest second wicket stand for Pakistan against England in all Tests.
Sohail said studying Anderson, who provided him with his fifth wicket Wednesday when he had England’s last man lbw, had taught him the value of reducing his speed in order to generate more swing.
England were reliant on Ballance, and he did not let them down. This news story is related to Print/140226-Sami-Aslam-makes-presence-felt-at-Edgbaston/ – breaking news, latest news, pakistan ne.
While plenty went right for them yesterday as they managed to knock England over inside the first day, they conceded too many runs and given how fragile their batting line-up looks, it could be a bridge too far for them to build the lead necessary to avoid a big fourth innings chase.
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England’s all-time leading wicket-taker kept his discipline with the ball, if not entirely in his deportment between deliveries, and runs did not come easily – only 23, in fact, from 13 overs in the first hour of the afternoon.
