The gutsy fightback against Pakistan at Edgbaston has set up Thursday’s final Test at the Oval as crucial to the country’s chances of reaching No. 1.
Advertisement
England’s Steven Finn celebrates after bowling Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Hag, caught by England’s Jonny Bairstow during day five of the 3rd test cricket match at Edgbaston.
Hafeez, as in the first innings but not quite so culpably, fell cheaply to a poor shot – this time contriving to find the only man in the leg-side deep with a pick-up shot to fine-leg off Stuart Broad. However, Cook – who was part of the last England team to top the standings in 2011 – is refusing to get carried away by their rise in the world rankings, which has been their ambition since the appointment of coach Trevor Bayliss.
“If it’s a pitch that has got green grass on it, I don’t think there’s any point playing him for the sake of playing him”.
It was a skill left-arm paceman Zaheer demonstrated to good effect during India’s 1-0 success in the three-match Pataudi Trophy Test campaign in England in 2007 and Anderson, who was on the opposite side, took note.
“The period me and Cooky batted at the end of day three was pivotal in setting the game up and if we’d lost one or two wickets that session, they (Pakistan) would have gone into the fourth day with their tails up”. ‘We seemed to be behind most of the game, just hanging on in there.
But while recent results may have been disappointing, this tour has not been dogged by the controversy that afflicted Pakistan’s last two trips to England.
“Everyone responded, and I think this side might have just toughened up a little bit”, said Cook.
The equation is far from simple – England, in fourth right now, need to win the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval and hope India, currently No2, fail to win one of their final two Tests against West Indies in the Caribbean. It’s a bit harder then to run down the wicket and hit over the top and play reverse sweeps and sweeps.
But even if England receive the ceremonial mace, Cook believes there is plenty of room for improvement.
“We’ve always thought he’s got a lot of potential”, Bayliss said.
It was the victory of champions and fans booking corporate hospitality for the final Test at the Kia Oval could be about to witness England going to number one in the Test rankings.
“I just tried to play the situation [at Edgbaston], I never really thought about it too much”.
“The ball started “reversing” after lunch”, he said.
England seamers took two early wickets in the morning before Pakistan had matched England’s first-innings score, but Misbah was defiant and added 62 runs with Ahmed for the sixth wicket.
England have announced a 13-member squad for the last Test of the four-match series against Pakistan, maintaining the same players who took 141 run win over the visiting team on Sunday.
Advertisement
“I did have a little bit of doubt in my mind at some stage, but then I reminded myself we would get a couple more chances”, Cook said.
