After getting over a sore left knee and two painful big toenails, Finn, and not Jake Ball, will replace Ben Stokes in the only change to the England side from Old Trafford, ready to show that he can fire out top-order batsmen once more.
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James Anderson will again be the key for England but with Chris Woakes taking the lead role, Pakistan will have a lot to deal with.
A wounded Pakistan will be looking for revenge after a Jekyll-and-Hyde display in this series so far.
Pakistan have won the toss and elected to field first against England on Day 1 of the third test against England at Edgbaston cricket Ground, Birmingham. Hales poor run in the series continues. But Root’s innings lasted just six balls, coming to an end after a thick outside edge to Mohammad Hafeez at first slip handed Sohail his second wicket of the morning.
Pakistan could promote number three Azhar Ali to open and bring Sami Aslam, yet to feature this series, into the side in place of Masood. “We were completely the opposite at Old Trafford”, said Arthur.
Captain Alastair Cook and Joe Root were in particularly fine form for England in Manchester, the duo putting on a century stand in both innings.
“That’s really important for us to just get them (Cook and Root) early and put them (England) under pressure”.
“I was really disappointed with our performance at Old Trafford – really disappointed with the way we lost there”.
It is also the same ground where England historically beat Australia 11 years ago in a historic test.
The grey skies above Edgbaston promised to offer swing movement to Pakistan’s fast bowlers and make life hard for England’s batsmen.
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur wants to see his “warriors” of Lord’s return for the third Test against England at Edgbaston. After a period of time on the periphery of the team, the all-rounder had taken his chance emphatically, picking up 18 wickets in the two matches at an average of just over 12.
“Throughout my time as captain there’s always been something up for discussion and at the moment it’s the middle order”, Cook said. Ali, on the other hand, was noticeably more fluent than his fellow left-hander and he played some eye-catching strokes on his way to 63, before losing his wicket in the pursuit of quick runs.
Sohail had taken two wickets for eight runs in nine balls, with Vince, yet to score a Test fifty, walking out with England in trouble.
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“(I was thinking) ‘I can do it at first-class level, why am I not showing it at the next level?’
