England's winter of cricket 2024/25

First topic message reminder :

The squad for the tour of Pakistan has just been announced...Stokes and Crawley are back, with Dan Lawrence dropped. There are also recalls for Rehan Ahmed and Jack Leach, with Brydon Carse getting a tour also.

Full squad (likely XI then others);

Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett
Ollie Pope
Joe Root
Harry Brook
Ben Stokes
Jamie Smith (wk)
Gus Atkinson
Olly Stone
Jack Leach
Shoaib Bashir

Reserves:
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Rehan Ahmed
Chris Woakes
Josh Hull
Matthew Potts

Will MacPherson noting they see Tom Hartley as more suited for the true turning wickets of SL/India/Bangladesh, hence his omission. Tests likely to be played at Rawalpindi, Multan, Rawalpindi. (Two Pindi tests...fun).

Extra seamers suggest Stokes might not be fit to bowl?

Watchful start by Pakistan this morning. Naseem playing the night watchman role on into the morning with just two runs from 25 balls before managing to edge a boundary wide of slips to Atkinson's frustration. 346/4 from 93.

And after just 8 uneventful overs of pace with the still new ball it is back to spin with Bashir again getting first opportunity...Naseem not tempted at all in his opening over. Atkinson continues at the other end.

...and hits Naseem on the helmet as he takes his eyes off it to duck. Good time for a follow-up Yorker? But no , short again.Field is set for short attack already which isn't too encouraging. Really nothing in this pitch for the bowlers. Anyway that short working over has induced aggression at the other end from Naseem as he launches Bashir straight for six...Shakeel follows up with a swept boundary to go to 50 and it is 360/4. Apparent they aren't going to let Bashir settle...

So just 35 added in 13 overs in the first hour. But importantly , no wickets. Carse has taken up the pace bowling duties...and apparently charged with keeping it mostly short. Naseem is playing an annoying role here - but he has just copped a blow on his bowling hand to add to the one on his head so maybe he will be minded to hit out a bit more now ? 367/4

Naseem enjoying the spin ...Leach having replaced Bashir also being lofted into the crowd. Fifty stand is up and Carse is working hard : the more so as he's just bowled two no balls in a lengthy over...381/4 and England must be wondering how they are going to get a wicket. Leach now monstered over long off for another six ; Naseem to 33 ... Time for me to head off for my own cricket practice so hopefully England will do better while I'm not watching...

England have kept it tighter but not much pressure on Pakistan after the runs piled up yesterday

Probably be a small win for England if they can wrap this up under 500

Rather sums up England's last day and a half

Watched live the final 20 minutes of the morning and then brief highlights of the session. Atherton was pretty complimentary about how well England had limited the run scoring. Agree to an extent but the main concern (mine anyway) is that we didn't take enough wickets. I wanted them 7 or ideally 8 down at lunch. The night watchman lasting over 90 minutes - highly annoying and frustrating!

If Pakistan can bat to tea, they should exceed 500 and England will be physically drained when they have their turn which could led to a rush of wickets.

GSC wrote:Rather sums up England's last day and a half

Brilliant effort but no cigar for Woakes, Leach and England.

Anyone noticed Jamie Smith's glovework? No, I guess and that's greatly to his credit. 125 overs bowled in this heat and humidity and his concentration and dependency remain spot on.

I readily admit to a strong bias in favour of the Surrey player but that's always been as a batsman, not a keeper. I actually feared that he wouldn't be good enough behind the stumps and having to perform that role would lesson his effectiveness with the bat. I'm pleased to say that so far I've been wrong on both counts.

As mentioned yesterday though, I do want him to be more assertive when it comes to England taking reviews.

guildfordbat wrote:Anyone noticed Jamie Smith's glovework? No, I guess and that's greatly to his credit. 125 overs bowled in this heat and humidity and his concentration and dependency remain spot on.

I readily admit to a strong bias in favour of the Surrey player but that's always been as a batsman, not a keeper. I actually feared that he wouldn't be good enough behind the stumps and having to perform that role would lesson his effectiveness with the bat. I'm pleased to say that so far I've been wrong on both counts.

As mentioned yesterday though, I do want him to be more assertive when it comes to England taking reviews.

He hasn't batted yet in this game, which will obviously be a significant physical challenge. Hopefully England can wrap this up this session and bat well into tomorrow before he's needed. I think him batting at 6 as keeper/batsman is a spot too high in sub-continental conditions, although at least it isn't like Alec Stewart used to have to do of keep and open...

As for reviews, I hope he hasn't been taking lessons in judging them from Foakes...

7 down! Shakeel undone by a beauty from Bashir and Root takes the catch at slip. (Possibly Smith could have had it it but it would have been a super effort. )

After his horrible overs early yesterday, Bashir has bowled a lot better and deserved that. Hopefully he can now go on for more.

Unfairly or not, I've had the feeling for some time that Leach is likely to plug away and take a tidy enough couple of wicket whilst Bashir has the greater chance, despite sending down some filth, of emerging with a fourfer.

Carse now strikes. Chance for England to wrap this up before tea

guildfordbat wrote:7 down! Shakeel undone by a beauty from Bashir and Root takes the catch at slip. (Possibly Smith could have had it it but it would have been a super effort. )

After his horrible overs early yesterday, Bashir has bowled a lot better and deserved that. Hopefully he can now go on for more.

Unfairly or not, I've had the feeling for some time that Leach is likely to plug away and take a tidy enough couple of wicket whilst Bashir has the greater chance, despite sending down some filth, of emerging with a fourfer.

That was my feeling why they've decided to just roll with Bashir and let him gain experience on the job. Leach a competent spinner but always felt he was picked by default given the lack of alternatives

Well that worked quite well I see

Actually saw the night watchmen caught at leg slip as I turned to leave and now back just in time to see Carse win an lbw verdict to get the eighth... along with the spinners striking twice earlier (and some not very urgent batting from Pakistan) it seems they may be kept under 500 ; which would be something of an achievement on this pitch...

Pope going for 0-12

Might be the worst of the 12

Been a pretty decent effort from England today, I really liked the dismissal of Rizwan. They kept him scoreless for 11 balls, which induced a false shot and the wicket. Very nice.

Woakes and Carse bowled well overall.

But a massively frustrating knock from Salman. Not only 71 runs, the difference between 450ish and 500+, but added quickly too.

Pope loses another review. 0/13!

Aside from that it pitched outside leg stump and wasn't hitting the wicket it was a decent shout

Pope and reviews

500 up.

Odd ball keeping lower or turning but overall it's still a belter to bat on

So what seemed the inevitable 500 for most of yesterday has indeed arrived - if rather slower than expected. England will be hoping to prevent Salman from adding too many more but those bowlers must be feeling it by now...wonder how the batsmen will be affected by five sessions in the heat ?

GSC wrote:500 up.

Odd ball keeping lower or turning but overall it's still a belter to bat on

It should be for another day or so ... my concern more with tiredness , scoreboard pressure - and the occasional habit of England to over reach in the pursuit of quick runs. Think Root will be vital ( as if he isn't most of the time !)

Pakistan have 4 minutes until tea, unless the 9th wicket falls and then there's another 30 minutes.

And here's Root. My thinking for Pakistan would be get to tea and then drag England out again for a little bit before being bowled out or declaring. Why? In the words of Gareth Batty when asked to explain why he once did very similar as Surrey skipper, ''to p1ss them off''.

Yeah, scoreboard pressure is the main concern. Hope England don't bat stupidly. You stay out in the middle on this and the runs will come naturally, no need to force it.

Batting time is also important. I know England like to bat quick, but 450 off 90 overs or something, and the bowlers having to come out again late on day three, before a proper rest and before proper pitch deterioration, would be no good.

Got to bat into day four. And still got to take these last two wickets... 515/8 at tea.

Leach being deposited for sixes. Pakistan fancy a long spell at England tonight then

Salman with another good pace 100, before Leach removes Afridi. Pakistan will bat on

Good ton for Salman. The difference between something slightly underpar and a quite strong score.

I'd keep batting if I were Pakistan. Into tomorrow if possible. Also got to bear in mind the three tests all have a short turnaround, so getting the opposition to work through more overs can only be advantageous.

Leach bowls Shaheen. 549/9.

Oops, Smith misses the easiest of stumpings.

England go into another over.

AAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

Poster's curse.

Afraid that ones on you Guildford

Oh dear, now Atkinson.

Hope Crawley and Duckett aren't this tired.

Doubly frustrating for the team as they had the chance to finally get off the field

The comedy 10 minute ends in style, Root gets his wicket in the end.

Credible effort by England, now they have to cash in on this deck

No, Duckett's not that tired, but he might have injured himself taking a catch.

It never rains...

556ao. It'a road, so England should be aiming for 450 minimum, but can hopefully get beyond 500 and turn it into a one innings shootout. But scoreboard pressure, fatigue of being out in the field for so long, both mental and physical, they all pose dangers.

About 95 minutes to bat tonight. Naseem's the main threat. Shaheen looking to rediscover old form. Aamer the wildcard. Abrar no more impressive a spinner than Leach or Bashir. Salman's no more impressive than Root.

If only help to help out their bowlers for the second dig, England still need to be batting at the start of Thursday - and I don't mean following on!

Looks like Pope opening

So Smith and Atkinson's fielding errors have indirectly led to Duckett getting injured.

About 20 overs tonight. England will likely get close to, or beyond, 100, but for how many down?

And Pope out pulling a short ball for a duck. Belter of a catch mind

Spectacular catch. I'm a critic of Pope, but that's one you just have to accept as fielding brilliance.

This is turning into a nightmare. Smith's basic stumping error leads to Duckett's injury leads to Pope opening and getting a duck leads to Root in the middle after eight balls.

Crawley not looking especially comfortable, but he has seized on anything wide and got a few boundaries.

28/1 after 7. Shaheen and Naseem have used the first new ball better than Woakes/Atkinson, but currently have the same amount of wickets to show.

Doesn't really matter what the situation is , Crawley is going to be assertive. Which is a good thing as England aren't good at just soaking up pressure for hours on end ; and with him scoring freely Root can just play his natural "busy" game and the score will mount at a respectable rate. Was a great catch to remove Pope - who was brave in taking the substitute opener role but possibly shouldn't have been in such a hurry to take the bowler on. As Guildford says , important England bat long to give the poor bowlers a bit of rest - something they too often fail to do. But they've probably got a better chance of doing so by playing their natural games , just not going in for any silly stuff. Hopefully Duckett will be fine tomorrow...

Duckett not going for a scan, so that sounds like good news.

52/1 after 12. Just over 30 minutes left. England really need these two to get to the finish unscathed.

Abrar with an expensive start, struggling to hit the right length, but I don't think Crawley is entirely comfortable in picking his deliveries.

50 for Crawley. Pakistan came out with their tails up but after the catch to remove Pope they've rather settled into a bowl straight and hope the batter misses it plan. Still nothing much doing on this pitch. Get to the close and cash in tomorrow the order of the day

Since Abrar has a good record against both these batsmen , hitting him out of the attack has probably given them one less thing to worry about this evening. Might have to do it again tomorrow, mind. Good fifty for Crawley...Hasn't had to run many

Fifty for Crawley. Typically brisk and not at all like he's coming back from an injury layoff.

And Root, also typically, has strolled to 30 with no fanfare. He needs 41 more to become England's highest ever test runscorer.

88/1. Looks like we're going to be bang on 20 overs by stumps.

96-1, 460 runs behind. Think England have done as well as could reasonably be expected. All eyes on whether this surface will degrade further or just die, it's made for a rather uncompetitive contest between bat and ball so far

So 96 at nearly 5 per over ...a decent start to a bit of a long climb - especially after that early wicket. And an important partnership , with Duckett temporarily incapacitated. Long way to go but Pakistan will know it is their turn to toil in the field.

96/1 at stumps. Absolute road. Bounce getting a bit lower, but consistently so, it's not an immediate demon.

Thought Shaheen bowled well without reward.

Up to England tomorrow to bat the day, which will likely get them close to 500, and then they set up a one innings shootout and turn the pressure on Pakistan. Hopefully the pitch will be doing something by day four and five. Pakistan's fifth bowler has a test bowling average of 50, which should mean he'll take 8/61 England have a huge chance to profit by simply going through the overs in this tyrannical heat.

Pakistan's task will be to suffocate the scoring and force false shots. But it's a bloody tough job.

England will want to bazball a win inside 4 days but probably pretty critical for the series they get Pakistan running around in the field for at least a full day tomorrow. Longer if possible.