Well, all credit to England. After being Misbah-ed and Yasir-ed at Lord’s, they bounced back in the most emphatic style possible, levelling the series with a 330-run victory at Old Trafford.
Chris Woakes was once again England’s leading wicket-taker, but Jimmy Anderson produced some useful spells on his home turf. Pakistan’s batsmen struggled again, with only Misbah passing 50, putting the innings of Alastair Cook and the formidable Joe Root into context.
The pair shared a 185-run second-wicket partnership, but Root went on to be part of two other century stands, with Woakes and Jonny Bairstow. Root’s ability to score just about anywhere, off and leg, punches, pulls, drives and cuts, has always been impressive. In my book, he is as complete a batsmen as anyone one in the modern game, including AB De Villiers, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith.
Root even inspired his captain to up his scoring rate to 60+ in the first innings, his 105 runs including fifteen boundaries. That’s only 12 fewer than Root managed in his career-best 254. Then in the second innings they added another 105 together in barely 14 overs as they raced to declare 565 runs ahead. Cook was criticised for not enforcing the follow-on but the result justified the decision in spades. If the weather forecast had been bad, then of course the decision would have been different. However, I suspect the result would have been the same.
Yasir Shah’s Lord’s magic was well and truly negated, and his 63 overs went for 266 runs. His only wicket was that of Woakes on day two. For all England’s dominance, there still remain question marks over Hales, Ballance and Vince, who are all finding it hard to get beyond a decent 20 or 30. No problem with fielding, and all but three of the twenty Pakistan wickets were catches.
And should Jonny Bairstow cede the ‘keeper’s gloves? Why? Jos Buttler is no better behind the stumps and a poorer red-ball batsman. Billings is a 20-over thrash specialist while Essex’s James Foster is probably too old to be considered by the current selector set-up.
Anyway, apart from the injured Ben Stokes, I certainly don’t blame England for retaining the same squad for the Third Test. Woakes will fancy his chances at Edgbaston where he has picked up 300-odd wickets for Warwickshire. Steve Finn did well on the same ground last summer so he must be favourite to play, unless they go for a twin spin option in the form of Adil Rashid.
Whatever the final XI, I can’t see Pakistan coming back from such a heavy defeat, unless their seam attack or Yasir find a way to dismiss Root early and their openers to survive Anderson and Broad for a change. I believe Stokes’ absence is no big deal. The swear box may be emptier as a result but England should still win on the pitch.
