England thrashed Pakistan at Old Trafford in the second Test to level the series score at 1-1 as the hosts secured a 330-run victory.
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Pakistan’s captain Misbah-ul-Haq signals to the dressing room during the first day of their second and final test cricket match against Pakistan in Colombo August 14, 2014. Pakistan knocked down the first of those pillars when Root, playing one of his favourite back-foot forcing shots, edged Sohail and was held by Mohammad Hafeez for just three.
“There are credible losses, and there are losses when you lie down and are steamrollered”.
He helped to make up for that shortfall in last week’s win at Old Trafford with 181 runs in the match, but still has plenty to ponder – not least the right advice to maximise Finn’s undoubted potential.
As for that 2010 reverse, Misbah – who wasn’t even in the squad at the time – said: “I think if you keep the past in mind you can’t move ahead – obviously it’s a new game, new pitch and a different team”.
“We ve got a good record here – it s nice turning up at a ground where you ve got good memories – but it means nothing on day one”, said Cook.
The all-rounder was replaced by Steven Finn for the third Test at Edgbaston, which started on Wednesday.
While an European Central Bank spokesman said Stokes would “work towards being available for selection for the Royal London ODI series starting later this month”, England will be taking no risks with his recovery. He had a ideal platform at Old Trafford to take advantage of good batting conditions yet once again fell to an edged drive – what has already become a signature dismissal.
History may not be in their favour when it comes to Edgbaston but much needed change elsewhere could be just the tonic for Pakistan cricket moving forward.
James Vince and Gary Ballance are both under pressure to cement their respective places while Alex Hales has managed just 56 runs from four innings in the series.
The most wickets for an England bowler in a series against Pakistan is Anderson’s 23 in 2010 – Woakes now has 18.
England’s record Test wicket-taker added: “The batsman talked about, before the game, showing the character they’ve got and what they are made of and their skills, which they completely did, led by Joe Root and Cooky (Alastair Cook)”. It was a return made all the more impressive as Sohail’s previous two Tests – against Sri Lanka at Karachi in 2009 and against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in 2011 – had yielded a combined haul of one for 245. “He has not been at his best but he is now better and his pace is back up”.
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England haven’t had a century opening stand in their last 11 Tests at home and have averaged 27.27 for their first wicket with a highest partnership of 68.
