ENGLAND’S crashed to defeat in the First Test against Pakistan after another shocking batting collapse. Joe Root’s side had resumed play on 235-6 with Jos Butler and Dom Bes both unbeaten on half centuries. But any hope of mounting a rearguard action which would at least put some pressure on the tourists ended when Pakistan […]
ENGLAND will still probably lose this First Test but at least Jos Buttler and Dominic Bess have salvaged a veneer of respectability. They produced a priceless and highly competent seventh-wicket partnership of 125 that erased the prospect of England being thrashed by an innings inside three days. After the miserable way England played for most […]
THREE wickets with bouncers and a fourth batsman sent back in agony to the pavilion – Ben Stokes certainly roughed up the Pakistan team. Stokes produced a fierce spell on day two of the First Test that briefly gave England hope of hauling themselves back into contention. But the grim reality is that Joe Root’s […]
PAKISTAN’S players have been told by corruption busters to remove their smart watches during the First Test. An ICC official visited the Pakistan dressing-room at Lord’s at close of play – just two hours after they routed England for 184 all out. It came after a couple of players were seen wearing what appeared to […]
ENGLAND can shuffle the pack or move the pieces – but the outcome remains the same. They are often rubbish at batting. The new-look order, with Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow promoted and Jos Buttler recalled, succumbed tamely on the opening day of the international summer. Pakistan’s skilled seam and swing bowlers exploited helpful conditions […]