Key occasions
Alex Webster is on workforce Stokes. “I don’t assume this workforce are interested by consolidating and I agree with them. They’ve a transparent imaginative and prescient to play to their collective strengths. Most likely the one poor dismissal was Brook, who was enjoying a shot primarily based on the earlier pitch not the one he was expecting an hour from the pavilion. They’ve 180 at virtually 6 an over. They will proceed to “fail” like this and nonetheless find yourself scoring 275-300 which within the previous days was an affordable rating on a troublesome pitch. Hold going!”
That is the nub. It isn’t extra ethical to attain 350 in a day than in a day and three quarters. Even when it’d really feel extra prefer it in case you are in a hair-shirt temper.
Athers and Nasser are my very favorite commentators to drink espresso too on a Friday morning with it -6 exterior. They’re discussing why Stokes by no means tried to vary the tradition when Root was captain. Stokes is extraordinarily loyal, says Athers. Stokes was requested about it and mentioned, “I stood by Joe Root each step of the way in which,” “Some individuals are simply born leaders,” says Athers, “born a bit totally different. And Stokes is considered one of them.”
Residing the dream!
Within the studio, Stuart Broad is carrying off new fatherhood with aplomb.
In Multan, Michael Atherton says that there is no such thing as a dishonour in an honourable draw.
“Hiya from underneath two duvets in Notting Hill,” writes James Walsh. “When my girlfriend obtained up for her early shift, she was mildly confused that I joined her for espresso fairly than drifting again to sleep.
“Winter excursions really feel like a collective secret for us cricket followers; additionally, when alone, a reassuring reminder that life is happening on the market someplace.”
Superbly put.
“It is a large take a look at of the brand new strategy,” writes Steve Hudson. “Do they consolidate now and take their time, or do they attempt to maintain scoring at a run a ball? Name me an previous fogey however consolidating seems the best choice to me”
I’m intrigued too – however I simply don’t assume Stokes has it in him to revert to sluggish and regular. Play resumes at 8.30 GMT. I’m going to go and seize a espresso and get up my son. Again shortly!
Lunch: England 180-5 (Abrar Ahmed 5-70)
thirty third over: England 180-5 (Stokes 14, Jacks 0) Stokes is twitchy. He sweep Abrar for 4, then jimmys him simply – just- over the fielder at long-on, earlier than carving a brief ball away via further cowl for 4. A few dots to complete and that’s LUNCH!
Abrar leads Pakistan off the sector, with a shy little wave. 5 earlier than sandwiches on debut.
32ndover: England 170-5 (Stokes 4, Jacks 0) An over-excited Pakistan lose a assessment after attempting to overturn a not-out lbw in opposition to Stokes in opposition to Nawaz.
”Received’t somebody spare a thought for the poor umpires this morning?” faucets the empathetic Brian Withington. “Sweeps and reverse sweeps galore, wrist spinners in tandem and run a ball scoring – no marvel they’re having ‘a little bit of a mare’ with so many overturned critiques.”
thirty first over: England 167-5 (Stokes 1, Jacks 0) Solely seven bowlers in Take a look at historical past have dismissed England’s prime 5 on the primary morning of a Take a look at. Welcome to five-day cricket Abrar Ahmed!
WICKET! Brook c Nawaz b Abrar 9 (England 167-5)
Oh my! Brook slaps the ball up into the stratosphere and Nawaz does brilliantly to take it, attempting to dam out the solar with one hand earlier than safely holding on with each. Abrar picks up 5 on the primary morning of his first Take a look at! He bends and kisses the bottom and Babar virtually eats him
thirtieth over: England 166-4 ( Brook 9, Stokes o) The final man to dismiss the England prime 4 within the opening innings of a Take a look at – Shane Warne in 2005.
twenty ninth over: England 164-4 ( Brook 7, Stokes o) What a debut for Abrar, a fourth wicket as England have a short assault of the collie-wobbles. Stokes pats away the remaining two balls of the over.
WICKET! Pope c Shafique b Abrar 60 (England 164-4)
A livid Ollie Pope, eyes flashing, bursting via his vest in large mood, stalks away after reverse-sweeping within the air, straight to backward level. Finished by some further bounce.
twenty eighth over: England 162-3 ( Pope 58, Brook 7) Pope tucks into Nawaz – simply realised that in the present day’s prolonged first session and hour for lunch is due to Friday prayers.
Solidarity for Ben Foakes from one who is aware of…
f
twenty seventh over: England 153-3 ( Pope 51, Brook 5) A tenth over from Abrar, three for 57. I feel he’d take that, as would Babar however England’s scoring charge of six an over goes to proceed to trigger Pakistan issues.
Does anybody have snow but? There was a small flurry yesterday afternoon as I went out to purchase some vegetarian sausages.
Fifty for Ollie Pope!
twenty sixth over: England 151-3 ( Pope 50, Brook 5) One more fifty for Pope, with a single off Nawaz. He began with a reverse-sweep, survived early Abrar, overturned being given out on the sector, and has eased into trendy accumulation. Off simply 52 balls.
twenty fifth over: England 151-3 ( Pope 49, Brook 5) A 3rd wicket for Abrar. Brook marches in and from a crouch, slaps Abrar for 4 via mid-on. We’re not about to pause for lunch, Aggers tells me, as they’re going to play for one more half hour. However what about my espresso?
WICKET! Root lbw 8 (England 145-3)
After ready an age for ultra-edge to point out us that Root didn’t hit it, ball monitoring sends Root on his means! A 3rd wicket for Abrar and Pakistan are bouncing with delight. One more on-field choice overturned.
REVIEW! Root lbw Abrar 8
Hit on the again leg… given not out on the pitch… Babar goes for the assessment with virtually a shrug …
twenty fourth over: England 145-2 ( Pope 48, Root 8)A change of bowling, some sluggish left from the immaculately bearded Mohammad Nawaz. Effectively managed, however Pope picks ups a pair from his reverse-sweep because of a clodhopping misfield at backward level. 4 leg byes.
twenty third over: England 138-2 ( Pope 46, Root 7) Abrar once more, a number of extra beginning to fill the stands now. Pope, busy, busy, seems a little bit out of breath. I ponder if that’s the air high quality?
twenty second over: England 133-2 ( Pope 43, Root 5) Mahmood, tall, with a excessive arm. Root pats away two to get off the mark. A Pope boundary stopped with some nifty footwork on the boundary.
twenty first over: England 126-2 ( Pope 40, Root 1) Abrar runs via his variations and England chalk up one other 4.
“Two wrist spinners?” writes John Starbuck. “The conference is {that a} leggie/wrist spinner will go for loads of runs, however may even get you wickets. It’s fairly a factor for Brighter Cricket although.”
Too proper! It’s cracking leisure, even when they do get via their overs fairly too shortly for my liking.
twentieth over: England 122-2 ( Pope 37, Root 0) Ollie Pope slams Zahid Mahmood via the covers for 4 – no wickets are going to decelerate this runaway practice.
nineteenth over: England 117-2 ( Pope 32, Root 0) Abrar with two in his pocket on debut!
WICKET! Duckett lbw Abrar 63 (England 117-2)
This time given not out on the sector…Pakistan select to assessment after Duckett is hit on the pad sweeping…he’s clopped on the pad and DRS sends him on his means. He marches away, helmet pulled half up, as is his wont. A brilliant-smart innings however a second wicket for Abrar.
REVIEW: Duckett lbw Abrar 61 – NOT OUT!
Ooof – Duckett survives! Reverse-sweeping and lacking, he’s given out on the sector, he critiques and, after an age, the TV umpire provides him the good thing about the doubt after he appears to have been hit on the glove.
Fifty for Ben Duckett!
18th over: England 115-1 (Duckett 61, Pope 32) The drinks instruction from the England dressing-room appears to have been ONWARDS. Pope instantly reverse-sweeps for 4, then Duckett reaches fifty with a jiggle previous slip, previous a diving Babar. He celebrates by slamming Mahmood for six subsequent ball, and driving via cowl for 4 extra. Mahmood squeezes his eyebrows collectively as Babar waves his area considerably ineffectively.
seventeenth over: England 97-1 (Duckett 48, Pope 27) Abrar chews his (extraordinarily lengthy) proper thumb pensively, as Duckett reverse-sweeps him twice for 4 within the over. As Vic Marks says, he’s not bowled badly, it’s simply England are out to un-nerve him.
They take DRINKS! England proceed to build up at a particularly quick charge, in opposition to two wrist spinners.
sixteenth over: England 86-1 (Duckett 39, Pope 25) Tip and run for England, who’re sweeping for enjoyable.
fifteenth over: England 79-1 (Duckett 38, Pope 19) Abrar shimmies via one other over, which England tuck into, selecting up ten, although not with out peril. A flamboyant twinkle-toed 4 by Pope, who could be very busy this morning.
14th over: England 69-1 (Duckett 34, Pope 13) Imam ul Haq will get cracked on the shin by a sweep from Duckett and magic spray is utilized liberally. A brilliant first over from Zahid Mahmood, who instantly finds fizz. Pope gropes at a pair and is then given out to an lbw that appears very out, however on assessment it seems it hit his glove. Pope reverse-sweeps instantly subsequent ball, the cocky younger pup.
thirteenth over: England 66-1 (Duckett 33, Pope 11) riposte by Abrar, containing England to only the one run.
twelfth over: England 65-1 (Duckett 32, Pope 11) Mohammad Ali it’s, underneath grubby skies, virtually lit up by a wintry solar. Duckett, who has a contact of the Mike Gattings about him, although in a twenty first century means, pulls with authority for 4. Pope picks up a useful fistful of singles.
“Good morning Tanya (and John Starbuck!).” Hiya Brian Withington.
“Appears just like the fog is slowly burning off in Multan, while right here in Dorridge, ‘it’s bloody freezin’ innit?’, as Cery Matthews may put it. Can I confess to being quietly relieved that England’s openers have kept away from too many pyrotechnics thus far, as a few of us extra mature OBOers are nonetheless recovering from the utter wonderful insanity of the primary take a look at.”
eleventh over: England 55-1 (Duckett 27, Pope 6) Okay, England are clearly attempt to slap Abrar out of the assault. Oh merciless Duckett, sweeping two looping deliveries for 2 consecutive fours.
tenth over: England 44-1 (Duckett 18, Pope 4) Only a couple off Mohammad Ali, who continues to plug away.
Ben Barclay asks, “ In the image, the stands are empty. Are you able to please elaborate?” Hello Ben, there solely appears to be handful, although they’re full of life sufficient – some Jersualem-singing Barmy Military and a few Pakistan musicians. The commentators had been saying they count on extra to return in because the day passes. Play began at 10am Multan time.
ninth over: England 42-1 (Duckett 16, Pope 4) Aha! The debutant rolls up, a contact of solar cream and a pair of glasses. He tosses up his first ball, Crawley picks up two. He continues to toss it up and what a solution to begin Take a look at cricket! Crawley finished by one which he flicks away. Pope, in an influence Bazz transfer, reverse-sweeps him for 4 first ball.
WICKET! Crawley b Abrar 19 (England 38-1)
A wicket along with his fifth ball in Take a look at cricket! Crawley finished like a kipper enjoying round a highfalutin googly. Bat underneath arm, he marches off as Abrar is mobbed.
eighth over: England 36-0 (Crawley 16, Duckett 16) Two candy boundaries for England, one other imperious drive from Crawley and a mid-on flurry from Duckett.
seventh over: England 27-0 (Crawley 12, Duckett 12) Duckett slams Faheem via backward level for 4 and one other three off his waist. England selecting up the tempo right here.
sixth over: England 18-0 (Crawley 5, Duckett 7) A maiden for Mohammad Ali, who’s having a significantly better begin to this Take a look at than the final.
“Any information concerning the pitch?” asks Andrew Miles. “Dusty highway once more or any indicators of one thing totally different?
“I’m solely up as a result of I assumed I heard an intruder, however I’m fairly sure that there’s nobody there. I’d rise up and test but it surely’s chilly.”
I’ve no proof for this however I really feel burglars are much less widespread when it’s under freezing. It might put me off anyway. Maybe flip up the quantity on TMS, I’m positive that can scare him off. Anyway, the pitch seems barely much less road-like and ore prone to crack up and take spin.
fifth over: England 18-0 (Crawley 11, Duckett 5) Ooof, a contact of spin from Faheem as he sends down a cutter. One other snazzy on drive for 4 from Crawley.
4th over: England 14-0 (Crawley 11, Duckett 5) The drums beat out a rhythm within the stands. scattering for now, however they’re anticipating extra in later. Numerous pleasure about 24 12 months previous bespectacled thriller spinner Abrar Ahmed. Simply three off Ali’s over.
third over: England 11-0 (Crawley 4, Duckett 5) That is the primary time Faheem Ashraf has taken the brand new ball in 15 Exams. Crawley off the mark with a long-legged sq. drive in a prime hat and tails.
“Good morning, Tanya,” hey John Starbuck!
“For as soon as, I’m up earlier than the larks (in each senses). I suppose one may say ‘earlier than the bats have gone to mattress’ besides on this climate they need to all be hibernating of their roosts. Earlier than the owls flip in?” Too-whit, Too-who.
2nd over: England 6-0 (Crawley 0, Duckett 5) Duckett tickles Mohammad Ali behind and picks up a squeeze of a boundary. Some good fielding within the ring cuts off one other and all in all a significantly better begin for Pakistan.
Morning session
1st over: England 0-0 (Crawley 0, Duckett) Faheem Ashraf has the ball on a pitch cracked like a hard-boiled egg given a medium crack. And, in opposition to all the chances, he pulls out a maiden.
There’s a contact of fog within the air however they begin on time!
Pakistan XI
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Zahid Mahmood, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Ali
Three adjustments confirmed: the injured Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf plus Azhar Ali miss out, thriller spinner Abrar Ahmed makes his Take a look at debut, joined by sluggish left armer Mohammad Nawaz and seam bowling allrounder Faheem Ashraf.
England XI
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Will Jacks, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Mark Wooden, James Anderson.
Simply the one change, Wooden for the injured Livingstone.
England win the toss and can bat
Buckle up!
Air air pollution
One particular challenge is in the present day’s air high quality in Multan, rated as unhealthy. Polluted air is especially detrimental to folks doing train, in addition to youngsters, pregnant girls and previous folks. The place is the ICC?
Greetings from a chilly and frosty UK. The carols are enjoying and from right here issues look brilliant in Multan, one of many least high-profile cricket stadiums on this planet. The bottom solely made its Take a look at debut in 2001, in the present day’s second Take a look at between England and Pakistan might be its fifth bells and whistles Take a look at cap.
What have we realized within the, er, three days because the completely amazeballs finish to the final Take a look at with all these males prowling shut sufficient to tug the free threads on Mohammad Ali’s shirt and the sunshine dramatically drawing in? Effectively, Ben Stokes has stroked his beard and steered he may go for some much more excessive ways due to Multan’s early-morning fog and the late-afternoon nightfall. At this stage, nothing can be stunning.
Group smart, Mark Wooden replaces the injured Liam Livingstone, in a not-like-for-like swap; whereas Ollie Pope retains the gloves over the recovered Ben Foakes – which is rotten luck, if comprehensible from an England viewpoint.
Pakistan look as if they are going to be with out Naseem Shah after he harm himself within the first Take a look at, and are positively with out the injured Haris Rauf. Babar Azam is reported to have requested for a spinning pitch – however let’s wait and see.
Proper , I need to go to mattress and get a number of hours sleep. See you quickly – play begins at 5am GMT.