Saturday, August 08, 2020

The First Test.

England were dead certs to lose this opening test match against Pakistan at Old Trafford.
Their bowlers and wicket-keeper had let them down in the Pakistan first innings allowing the visitors to establish control of the game from the off.
Some indifferent batting down the order saw England gift Pakistan a seemingly unassailable first innings lead of 107.
When England finally got its bowling attack working, Pakistan stumbled to 137 for 8,  a lead of 244, and suddenly Joe Root's men were back in the match.
They must now clear out the last two wickets for no more than a handful of runs and then bat properly.
Chasing a total of 260 or so is going to be incredibly difficult on this fourth day, on a Manchester pitch already demonstrating signs of wear. 
Naseem looks to be simply the best quick bowler in the world, IMHO, and at just 17, that is some praise! The two Pakistan leg-spinners backing him up will give England only a very slim chance of victory. Still, a 10% chance of a win is rather better than the apparently guaranteed defeat which was facing them at lunchtime on Day 3.
The home team have no time issues to contend with. All they must do is to be obdurate and not throw wickets away. It may be slow but the runs will come.
The problem is that the Pakistan attack is so strong that they can take wickets for themselves - they do not need to wait for England mistakes.

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