England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and elected to bat in the fourth and final Test against Pakistan at The Oval on Thursday.
Advertisement
Despite a top-order collapse, England managed to score 328 runs thanks to Moeen Ali’s top-class century and also dismissed Sami Aslam as Pakistan ended the first day trailing the hosts by 325 runs in the fourth Test at Kennington Oval.
Elsewhere in test cricket this week, Sri Lanka take on Australia in the third test between the two sides, with the home side now holding a 2-0 lead.
Moeen ensured England had plenty to smile about by stumps in any case, sharing a crucial stand of 93 with Jonny Bairstow (55) and then completing his century with a six off Yasir just over the head of deep midwicket.
Sohail Khan, with his second five-wicket haul in successive Tests, and Wahab Riaz made it toughest for England on a day which favoured the seamers throughout.
“He bowls off-spin and decently, England has a lot of left handers so he does give us an option as a fifth bowler if he comes in”, Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur told reporters at The Oval Tuesday.
In the last match, Pakistan was looking solid on Day 2 to beat the England, but somehow they failed to cash the opportunities and finally resulted in losing the match.
England captain Alastair Cook only needs three wins to become England’s most successful Test captain (in terms of wins) and has a chance of leading England to No.1 ranking in Tests but he admitted that he is “the most comfortable” that he has ever been as captain.
Wahab pushed the stodgy left-hander back with a number of shorter deliveries and well-directed bouncers before Ballance went back again, but this time to a full ball, and edged to Azhar Ali at third slip.
Five balls later, Wahab struck as Root nicked his short-pitched delivery into Sarfraz Ahmed’s hands.
Alex Hales looked clumsy and his stay did not long much as he caught by Yasir Shah at sqaure leg on Mohammad Amir’s bowling.
Moeen therefore had to eke out another 16 runs for his century with numbers 10 and 11 – and when Yasir tempted him, he took up the challenge brilliantly. But it will turn on days four and five, especially with the sun coming out.
Ballance, who made eight, was also undone by Wahab, as Azhar Ali claimed a juggling catch at third slip. With England already having lost 2 set batsmen, Pakistan reacted quick to the situation and James Vince trying to defend a extra bounced ball of Wahab Riaz edged the ball into keeper Sarfaraz’s glove.
Wahab’s successful return stalled with Bairstow’s reprieve off one of a rush of early-afternoon no-balls from Pakistan.
5/68 Sohail Khan’s bowling figures in this innings – his best in Tests and only his second five-for in Tests.
Among all, his last spell is worth remembering where he took the remaining four wickets, at the time, when the partnership between Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes looked quite threatening.
England will enter this match with a single motive of winning this match and thus, seal the series and for this, they just need to come up with the all round performance from their players.
Advertisement
Azhar and nightwatchman Shah were unbeaten on nought at the close.
