The efforts of the lower middle-order left England with a 311-run lead going into what could be three vital sessions in the context of this series and, depending on how keen Alastair Cook is to gamble, a chance of victory beckons.
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It leaves the match tantalisingly poised heading into the final two days and Woakes believes that with ten second-innings wickets in hand England’s fate is in their own hands.
There was a touch of fortune about England’s next success, Yasir Shah setting off late for a second run and Jonny Bairstow’s dislodging of the bails with his elbow far from orthodox but authentic as he gathered the ball simultaneously.
England battled back strongly with ball and then bat on day three of the pivotal third Investec Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston.
However, he added: “Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali played brilliantly”.
Hales took England into the lead with an elegant back-foot forcing shot through the covers off Sohail, who had marked his return to Test cricket by taking five for 96 in the hosts’ first innings.
Earlier, Sohail Khan (1-102) and Mohammad Amir (2-73) quickly removed Cook and Hales after England resumed at 120-0. Cook (66) pushed out to Sohail Khan and Yasir held an excellent catch at point.
Cook will need to do his sums overnight, but the likelihood is that there will be half-an-hour’s batting at most on the final morning before England try to test Pakistan’s second-innings mettle. We’ve got a tough schedule-England here, then New Zealand away in two Tests in November and then we go and play in Australia, Boxing Day [Melbourne], the New Year [Sydney] and the night Test in Brisbane. If the ball was not coming in to Joe Root or James Vince then the left-arm pacers should have gone round the wicket to create a different angle.
Yet when Rahat edged fast bowler Steven Finn, with the 10th-wicket duo having already extended Pakistan’s lead to exactly 100, Cook dropped a regulation catch at first slip.
Arthur, who made his worldwide reputation as coach of his native South Africa, lamented a lack of support for left-arm quick Mohammad Amir and leg-spinner Yasir Shah on Friday.
But it was left-arm quick Mohammad Amir who turned Englands 126 for one into 126 for two when Hales (54) edged a seaming delivery and Younis Khan, held a hard low chance going to his right at second slip.
Root, not for the first time this season, mistimed a sweep and gave a simple catch to Hafeez at short fine leg. Root’s exit ended a stand of 95 in 36 overs with Vince that had taken England to 221 for three.
Left-hander Ballance continued to struggle against Shah, falling to the leg-spinner for the third time in the series before Bairstow and Ali took charge and put England in command.
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Pakistan was unable to replicate this performance in the 2nd Test and was humiliated by 330 runs.
