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England frustrated by Mohammad Rizwan, rain and bad light

Mohammad Rizwan slogging - GETTY
Mohammad Rizwan slogging - GETTY

A day of frustration for England and for lovers of Test cricket. Pakistan held on in challenging English conditions while bad light stoppages left the officials glad there was no crowd in the ground to give them a hard time.

Mohammad Rizwan’s clever marshalling of the tail, exploiting another period of sleepy cricket by England, enabled Pakistan to reach 223 for nine on a day of grinding hard work.

Stuart Broad became the first England bowler since Graeme Swann 11 years ago to take at least three wickets in seven consecutive Test innings. You could understand why Broad said afterwards he does not want this season to end. He has 25 wickets so far at 12.88, the best summer of his career.

But England have had 86 overs in seaming, swinging conditions perfectly suited to their line up to knock over Pakistan and have not yet finished the job. They lost focus when Rizwan choreographed a 39-run stand from 61 balls for the ninth wicket with Mohammad Abbas, who contributed just two. Rizwan, 60 not out from 116 balls, remained unmoveable, keeping Pakistan in the game.

With the second new ball in hand, England lost their line, bowling too wide or down the leg side. They quickly went on the defensive, spreading the field to Rizwan when he started playing shots in an attempt to get Abbas on strike. With the field set so deep Rizwan could push hard for twos and was still able to deflect singles towards the end of the over to pinch the strike. It was smart and immensely annoying for England but they keep having little phases of play where they lose sight of the end goal.

During the first Test in Manchester, Root let the match drift before the second new ball. Here you could see his frustration growing as Rizwan and Abbas hung on. The bad light stoppage and early tea did him a favour. He was accompanied down the steps back onto the field when play restarted by coach Chris Silverwood and England were noticeably sharper, with Broad soon dismissing Abbas before the umpires reached for the light meters again.

The officials are lucky this is all happening behind closed doors given how angry the crowd would have been to see players troop off with the floodlights on full beam and the Pakistan one-day players playing on the adjacent practice ground without any lights at all.

Duty of care to players and officials is obviously important, and there are concerns over litigation in the modern world, but there is a responsibility to the game too. Sky and the BBC have been enjoying record viewing figures as a sport-starved public lap up the game, giving Test cricket vital exposure. Many would have switched off yesterday and done something else instead, fed up with the arcane way cricket can be ruled.

The umpires take a light meter reading on the first day, setting the precedent for the levels for the rest of the match. It meant only 41 overs were possible despite not a drop of rain falling at the Ageas Bowl after 10am. With heavy cloud forecast for the whole week, being conservative with the light reading was always going to create stoppages. The game is paying for it. With the flags on the pavilion hanging limply all day, there was no wind to blow the clouds through. The day drifted, the match in limbo.

The light dipped below the reading just after Abbas’ wicket but moments earlier Rizwan had played the shot of the day, smacking Broad over extra cover for four. He had no problem seeing the ball. But off they went, more dead time ensued.

The umpire takes a light-reading as the batsmen walk back to the dressing room as play is delayed for bad light on the second day of the second Test cricket match between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, southwest England on August 14, 2020.  - AFP
The umpire takes a light-reading as the batsmen walk back to the dressing room as play is delayed for bad light on the second day of the second Test cricket match between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, southwest England on August 14, 2020. - AFP

A wet outfield delayed the start until 12.30pm and England were sharp in the hour before the lunch break. The ball flew off the surface, there was plenty of lateral movement and even Anderson reached speeds of 88mph.

Batting was tough, and required luck as well as a sound mind. Babar Azam made an accomplished 47, which would have been worth many more in other conditions, and it took the delivery of the match so far to get him out.

He left 38 of his 127 balls, showing good judgement of his off stump, waiting for the straighter balls to tuck on his favoured onside where he scored 31 of his 47.

This was patient, dogged work but in Broad he is up against a bowler in the form of his life. He set him up beautifully, tailing the ball in before nipping one away to take the edge.

Yasir Shah threw everything at an Anderson outswinger and was caught behind. Shaheen Afridi tried to be more sensible, offering support to Rizwan who constantly cajoled and coaxed him into hanging in.

It took a run out by a direct hit by Sibley from slip. Afridi was the non-striker and too keen to nick a single off the fifth ball of the over. Rizwan had been struck on the pads, the ball squirting to Sibley at third slip who spotted Afridi was halfway down and hit the stumps at the bowler’s end with an excellent pick up and throw, his second run out in as many matches.

Rizwan had been dropped down the leg side on 14, a tough chance high up to keeper Jos Buttler’s left, but it was his only mistake. He slotted Broad for six and flustered England. Chris Woakes bowled a wide as he struggled to control the new ball, and there were four byes down the leg side as England lost their consistency. Broad winkled Abbas out lbw and if they bat well on Saturday, remain in a strong position. It is just that time is drifting away.


05:35 PM

Reports incoming shortly

Including a little piece on Broad becoming the first England bowler since Swann to take at least three wickets in seven consecutive innings, and Scyld Berry on a summer of monochrome bowling.


05:33 PM

Stumps

It's all over for the day folks. Umpires have called it off, pretty much in darkness.


04:59 PM

The weather forecast is not great for tomorrow

Plenty of rain about, which makes the lack of play this evening even more frustrating. The match was just starting to progress nicely, with Mohammad Rizwan getting his side back into the game.


04:47 PM

The umpires are back out on the pitch

However, the cover is also back on the pitch, a precautionary move in case any rain arrives.

There is still a distant hope of play tonight.


04:44 PM

It is very early to have a look at CricViz's prediction for the match outcome but...

Currently it has a draw as the most likely outcome with 38 per cent, then an England win at 36 per cent, with Pakistan still very much in the game at 26 per cent.

All three outcomes an option. This could be a cracking Test, if enough play can be fit in!


04:25 PM

The umpires have left the pitch

The light is at a very similar level as it was before, thick cloud still overhead. Who knows if we will get any further play this evening.


04:19 PM

This is being played on the practice pitches at the Ageas Bowl with no lights - but admittedly a white ball


04:07 PM

Michael Vaughan suggesting a pink ball would be a solution to the current predicament...


03:57 PM

Stuart Broad has just been so good this summer - and Mohammad Abbas is going to be handy in these conditions...


03:51 PM

The umpires remain on the pitch

They are constantly monitoring the light, hoping it brightens slightly so play can resume. Play can go on until 7.30 tonight so plenty of time left in the day, potentially.


03:48 PM

The players are going back off for light...

They only got 9 balls in before deciding light was too faded once again. Very frustrating.

Both sides want to stay out, Pakistan keen to bowl this evening.


03:46 PM

Here is the plum lbw!


03:45 PM

OVER 86: Pakistan 223/9 (Naseem 1* Rizwan 60*)

Broad only needed one wicket after tea to take the wicket. He will back himself to get ride of Naseem Shah too. The number 11's first ball is inside edged for single, he's off the mark first ball!

Expecting Rizwan to go hard here. Yep. He charges down the track, launching it over mid-off. It plugs and they settle for two. Excellent comeback, Broad draws a play and miss after a seaming delivery on off-stump.

Broad then over-pitches, Rizwan executes a textbook drive through extra-cover all the way to the boundary. Shot of the day contender.

Last ball of the over, can Rizwan get a single? Yes! He cuts it wide of second slip and a run is scrambled. Good batting.


03:41 PM

WICKET! Mohammad Abbas lbw Broad 2

Broad is full and straight. It nips back, that is plum! Abbas reviews, no reprieve. That could not be more out.

FOW: 215/9


03:38 PM

OVER 85: Pakistan 215/8 (Abbas 2* Rizwan 53*)

And I'm back, Woakes will complete his over that was interrupted by light. Three balls remaining.

The first shapes away nicely, well left by Rizwan. The second nips away from off-stump, beating Rizwan. Nicely bowled. The last delivery is left.

England finally have a full over at Abbas! Big chance here.


03:35 PM

They are about to resume

In the next few minutes. My short stint ends, Jake Goodwill will return to take you through until close. 


03:14 PM

TEA: Pakistan 215/8 (Abbas 2* Rizwan 53*)

Rizwan scampers a quick two again, finding the gaps well and running well, too. Out comes the light meter... it is quite gloomy. With just two balls bowled in the over they come off for bad light...

215/8 after 84.3 overs. Will that be tea? Yes. Early tea, should have been at 4.30. 


03:11 PM

OVER 84: Pakistan 213/8 (Abbas 2* Rizwan 51*)

Is that a drop? Broad finds the edge of Abbas, it goes quickly and low towards Root at slip. It's down, but before or after it reached Root? It didn't carry in the end but it caught him on the end of his thumb. Painful. Should be okay, though. Abbas off the mark with two. 


03:09 PM

Decision upheld

Tell you what, it looked like it'd be a lot further away than it was but unfortunately for England it's only clipping the top of leg stump so we stay with the on-field umpire and Abbas survives. 


03:08 PM

England review an LBW on Rizwan

Run out chance! Rizwan calls two but it's going to be tight for Abbas, who was running towards the non-striker's end when Broad broke the stumps. Replays show he was in by a foot or so after the on-field umpires go upstairs. It was a pretty weak throw but that's 50 for Rizwan. It could be a very crucial one. 

Huge appeal from Broad for LBW on Abbas... do England review? They do...


03:04 PM

OVER 83: Pakistan 208/8 (Abbas 0* Rizwan 48*)

Two leg byes after Sam Curran saves a boundary. The chance for a runout as long as Rizwan is super keen for a single towards the end of the over. He shovels it backward of square on the leg side and takes the strike and moves to 48*. Not really a great delivery from Woakes in the context. He shakes his head as he walks back to his position in the field. 


03:00 PM

OVER 82: Pakistan 205/8 (Abbas 0* Rizwan 47*)

Oof! Broad's first ball takes the edge of Rizwan and loops up. It lands safely short and wide of Rory Burns in the gulley area. Looks like it just stuck in the pitch a bit and with extra bounce. They try and scamper two but it was never on and now Abbas is exposed to Broad with the new ball for a potential five balls...

Abbas ducks into a ball just back of a length. Strange one but he expected a bouncer no doubt. He survives the remainder. 


02:54 PM

OVER 81: Pakistan 204/8 (Abbas 0* Rizwan 46*)

New ball, new man at the keyboard. It's Sir Chris Woakes to take it. His first one is a bit down leg and it would have been an easy single for Rizwan, who does not take it. The next is also down leg, misses the pad and slides rapidly past Buttler's outstretched left mitt. Four byes. Woakes eventually finds his line and length with the new nut/cherry/whatever you want to call it.

Rizwan charges down the track at the fifth ball and has an almighty swing through the line... but is a long way from connecting. Woakes bowls an horrifically wide ball and it's called wide on the off side, rightly so. Clearly they don't want Rizwan to steal the strike. Steal the strike he does, though, with a nudge onto the leg side...


02:48 PM

OVER 80: Pakistan 198/8 (Abbas 0* Rizwan 45*)

The second new ball is available in an over's time. Broad is back into the attack, replacing Curran.

Broad over-pitches, Rizwan drives and decides against a single to long-off. A very wide bouncer beats Buttler, one bye conceded. Probably should have been wides... Two balls for Abbas, once again. 

And once again, he survives.

I'm handing you over to Luke Slater, who will take you through until tea. 


02:42 PM

OVER 79: Pakistan 197/8 (Abbas 0* Rizwan 45*)

Woakes is short and wide, Rizwan misses out. He does not miss out the next ball, a half-volley is driven through extra-cover for four. Rizwan is playing excellently. He takes one, leaving Abbas two deliveries this time.

Abbas plays two solid blocks. Good stuff.


02:38 PM

OVER 78: Pakistan 192/8 (Abbas 0* Rizwan 40*)

Curran is too wide, and Rizwan cuts away for four. Cracking shot. And another boundary, Rizwan ducks down and lifts the ball over the slips for four. Top innovation. He then flicks a single away. 

Once again one ball for Abbas to survive. And he does so, Curran wastes the ball, firing down leg.


02:33 PM

OVER 77: Pakistan 183/8 (Abbas 0* Rizwan 31*)

Woakes nips one back, somehow beating Rizwan on the outside edge. A slower ball is then attempted, well watched. Woakes then goes short and he is pulled away for two.

He takes a single, with one delivery for Abbas to survive - which he does.


02:29 PM

REVIEW: NOT OUT

Abbas has middled it into his pad, speculative review. Good original decision.


02:28 PM

OVER 76: Pakistan 180/8 (Abbas 0* Rizwan 28*)

Abbas hits and runs, almost causing another run out. He just beats Broad's throw back to the batting crease.

Abbas is playing cautiously - bar the suicidal run from the first ball - rightly batting for his partner. 

Curran is very full, he hits the pads - but is there some bat involved? Not out is the decision, England review.


02:23 PM

OVER 75: Pakistan 180/8 (Abbas 0* Rizwan 28*)

Having seen Abbas and Naseem Shah bat, if I was Rizwan, I would start throwing the bat at the ball. They need some runs desperately. 200 is still not out of reach.

Woakes has one ball left in his over. Rizwan charges down the pitch and whacks it for four through square-leg. Shot!


02:19 PM

WICKET! Shaheen Afridi run out (Sibley) 0

Woakes hits Rizwan on the pads, in the confusion Afridi wonders up the pitch aimlessly. Sibley picks up the ball at third slip and launches a direct hit. Shaheen could not get back at the non-strikers end. Ordinary cricket from Shaheen. Very good from Sibley, another run out for him.

FOW: 176/8


02:17 PM

OVER 75: Pakistan 176/7 (Shaheen 0* Rizwan 24*)

Rizwan is being watchful, curbing his natural instinct to drive outside off-stump. Woakes delivers a booming in-swinger but Rizwan plays it well.


02:14 PM

OVER 74: Pakistan 176/7 (Shaheen 0* Rizwan 24*)

Curran gets some swing, bringing one back into Rizwan - play and miss. Rizwan works a single.

Shaheen edges the ball to Root at first slip, but he is not sure if it has carried. Is it a wicket? Soft signal is out...

It is very close. His fingers are under the ball, but it also looks like it touches the grass. NOT OUT! Third umpire decides too much of the ball made contact with the ground, fair decision. Root is not best impressed.


02:09 PM

Stuart Broad's form continues...


02:08 PM

OVER 73: Pakistan 175/7 (Shaheen 0* Rizwan 23*)

And it is a double change, here comes Woakes. He has bowled better than just the one wicket to his name currently. Three up for grabs still.

Woakes nips one back into the midriff of Rizwan, ouch! Rizwan hooks away for a single. Woakes then delivers, to use a technical term, an absolute seed to Shaheen. Can't play that. 

The number 9 then chases a wide one, failing to make any contact. Good comeback over.


02:03 PM

OVER 72: Pakistan 174/7 (Shaheen 0* Rizwan 22*)

Broad is out of the attack, replaced by Curran. Rizwan takes one from the second ball of the over.

Shaheen is dutifully blocking, 0 from 15.


01:59 PM

OVER 71: Pakistan 173/7 (Shaheen 0* Rizwan 21*)

Anderson delivers a bouncer to Rizwan who pulls it away for one. Shaheen could have five balls to keep out here. He leaves the first well. A play and miss follows. And another. Make it three.

Anderson is into his 24th over here, serious effort. Shaheen is hanging in there for his side.


01:54 PM

OVER 70: Pakistan 172/7 (Shaheen 0* Rizwan 20*)

Broad digs another one in to Rizwan, who goes after it but misses it. Rizwan has looked unconvincing against the short ball today. An inside edge then brings a single.

Broad, round the wicket to Shaheen, bowls a delivery that stays very low. Only day two, remember. 

Shaheen sees out another over.


01:50 PM

OVER 69: Pakistan 171/7 (Shaheen 0* Rizwan 19*)

Shaheen Shah Afridi comes to the crease, with an average of just over 5 in Test cricket. England are well and truly into the tail. Pakistan will want 200.

Shaheen survives his first three deliveries. 


01:48 PM

WICKET! Yasir Shah c Buttler b Anderson 5

Yasir attempts a drive on the up, its nips away and is edged through to Buttler. Tricky to pull that shot off in these conditions. A third in the innings for Anderson.

FOW: 171/7


01:46 PM

OVER 69: Pakistan 171/6 (Yasir 5* Rizwan 19*)

Anderson digs one in a tad short, Rizwan pulls away for one.


01:45 PM

OVER 68: Pakistan 170/6 (Yasir 5* Rizwan 18*)

Broad continues from the other end. England are just one wicket away from a long tail. Yasir wafts at one outside the off-stump, play and miss. He catches the next one, four runs through cover. Cracking shot. And, back to a play and miss. Excellent contest.

Yasir tries to leave the next delivery but the ball rears up, catching Yasir's bat and rolling along the ground to the slip cordon. And then another play and miss, the third of the over. Good stuff from Broad.


01:40 PM

OVER 67: Pakistan 166/6 (Yasir 1* Rizwan 18*)

Anderson nips one back through the gate of Rizwan, just missing the off stump. He gets a single away off his pads.

Anderson nips one past Yasir's outside edge before another single is pinched by dropping it into the leg side.


01:36 PM

Perfect ball for Babar Azam from Stuart Broad


01:35 PM

OVER 66: Pakistan 164/6 (Yasir 0* Rizwan 17*)

Yasir gets off strike with a leg bye. Broad then bounces Rizwan, who gloves it to Buttler who puts down a tough chance! High to his left. Tough, but could have been taken. He nearly got there. Rizwan scrambles two.

He then gets off strike with a flick through the leg side.

Good over.


01:31 PM

Ian Bishop was a fan of that delivery...


01:31 PM

Here is the wicket, fantastic bowling!


01:30 PM

OVER 65: Pakistan 160/6 (Yasir 0* Rizwan 14*)

Anderson gets one to fly through off a length past Rizwan's shoulder. Can't play that! 

Rizwan flicks an over-pitched delivery away for two.


01:26 PM

OVER 64: Pakistan 158/6 (Yasir 0* Rizwan 12*)

Out comes the dangerous Yasir Shah, known for playing his shots. Play and a miss to start. Superb from Broad.


01:24 PM

WICKET! Babar Azam c Buttler b Broad 47

Huge moment! Broad bowls a beautiful delivery, angling in and nipping away. It catches the shoulder of the bat and Buttler claims the catch. Massive moment in the game.

Top bowling.

FOW: 158/6


01:20 PM

OVER 63: Pakistan 158/5 (Babar 47* Rizwan 12*)

It will be Anderson from the other end, into his 20th over! Impressive stuff, even considering the rain delays.

He starts with a no-ball, do not see that too often. Babar drives the next delivery, along the ground to the man at mid-off. No run. Babar then works a single into leg side.


01:15 PM

OVER 62: Pakistan 156/5 (Babar 46* Rizwan 12*)

Broad to start after the break. His first ball is a real loosener, the second draws a play and miss from Babar after nipping away. Good start.

Plenty of shape for Broad still. He attempts the in swinger to close out the over and it is clipped away for one by Babar.


01:09 PM

The players are back on the pitch

The rain has stayed away during the interval.


12:53 PM

Big session coming up

The current partnership stands at 35, if it keeps ticking over, Pakistan could get themselves up to a score.

Given the cloud cover, and the Pakistan seam attack, anything over 200 will be competitive. 250 could be a very good score.


12:35 PM

Cricket does not help itself sometimes...

An hour and a half delay, an hour of play, now a 40 minute break. Still baffled as to why an early lunch was not taken.


12:33 PM

LUNCH!

Pakistan's (shortened) session. Babar looked very good. Woakes looked dangerous, the others not so much.

Would not expect Curran to continue after lunch, he is getting less movement than the other seamers today.


12:32 PM

OVER 61: Pakistan 155/5 (Babar 45* Rizwan 12*)

Curran is coming around the wicket, hoping to encourage some extra movement before the session concludes.

He starts too straight, Rizwan clips for one. 150 up for Pakistan! Once again Curran is too straight, this time Babar clips him for two. And repeat, another couple of runs via a flick into the leg side.

Curran ends the over back over the wicket, same result, a clip for one this time.

And that is lunch.


12:27 PM

OVER 60: Pakistan 149/5 (Babar 40* Rizwan 11*)

Broad is clipped out to deep square-leg for a single by Rizwan. A bumper to Babar is well avoided. 

Probably just one more over before (late) lunch.


12:23 PM

OVER 59: Pakistan 148/5 (Babar 40* Rizwan 10*)

Rizwan inside edges Curran for a single, moving him into double figures. The away swinger to Babar is watched through to the keeper, it was that delivery that drew Curran his wicket on day one.

Another short ball from Curran, he is trying to push Babar back. The next delivery is full, Babar blocks it down but it rolls back toward the stumps, fortunately for Pakistan outside the line of the stumps.


12:19 PM

Pakistan have been excellent today in challenging conditions


12:19 PM

OVER 58: Pakistan 147/5 (Babar 40* Rizwan 9*)

Broad continues full to Babar, who's discipline continues. A nip backer from outside off stump is left alone, lots of seam movement still present.

Maiden.


12:15 PM

OVER 57: Pakistan 147/5 (Babar 40* Rizwan 9*)

Babar works a single. Curran then sends down a rare bouncer to Rizwan who misses an attempted hook shot.

Curran goes full for the remainder of the over, Rizwan leaves and blocks, resisting the temptation to drive.


12:11 PM

OVER 56: Pakistan 146/5 (Babar 39* Rizwan 9*)

Double change, Broad is into the attack. Thought Woakes was going well, then again Broad was superb yesterday.

He starts full and at the stumps, as has been the way all summer. Broad has been a touch leg side to Babar, who misses out on a freebie. Babar then picks up a single, he has looked very good today.


12:07 PM

Babar Azam has shown great discipline in this innings


12:06 PM

OVER 55: Pakistan 145/5 (Babar 38* Rizwan 9*)

Bowling change for England, Anderson off and Sam Curran into the attack. Change of angle.

Curran starts too straight, and Rizwan clips away for two. He plays out the remainder of the over.


12:03 PM

OVER 54: Pakistan 143/5 (Babar 38* Rizwan 7*)

 A leg bye gets Rizwan off strike. Woakes bowls a delightful away swinger, drawing a play and miss from Babar. Good carry too. A short ball to end the over is unconvincingly pulled for no run.

Woakes has found plenty of lateral movement.


11:58 AM

OVER 53: Pakistan 142/5 (Babar 38* Rizwan 7*)

Anderson is hanging the ball outside the off-stump, trying to tempt Babar into a drive. He then fires one in at the stumps, but it is well kept out. Another maiden.


11:55 AM

OVER 52: Pakistan 142/5 (Babar 38* Rizwan 7*)

Woakes is challenging Rizwan. He jumps wide of the crease, nipping it away and leaving Rizwan beaten all ends up.

Excellent over.


11:51 AM

OVER 51: Pakistan 142/5 (Babar 38* Rizwan 7*)

Anderson is too full, and Babar clips through mid-wicket for four. Elegant. Runs are flowing.

Anderson comes back well, nipping one past Babar's bat. Good contest between these two elite performers.


11:47 AM

OVER 50: Pakistan 138/5 (Babar 34* Rizwan 7*)

Woakes' first ball of the over is wide, and Rizwan cashes in, collecting three on a slow, damp outfield.

Woakes then finds his line, the ball keeping a tad low outside off-stump. He then strays too straight, and Babar clips into the leg side for a sharp single.

The last ball of the over swings big, beating an attempted booming drive from Rizwan. Good end to the over.


11:43 AM

OVER 49: Pakistan 134/5 (Babar 33* Rizwan 4*)

Anderson pushes Babar onto the back foot, he nudges into the offside. No run. He works the next delivery to leg, once again no run.

A short, wide ball is chased by Babar - but he makes no connection. The last ball of the over shapes in and nips away, drawing a play and miss. That's what Anderson was doing on a regular basis yesterday. 

Maiden.


11:39 AM

OVER 48: Pakistan 134/5 (Babar 33* Rizwan 4*)

Woakes will continue from the other end, Stuart Broad will have to wait. He drops too short and Babar clips it away for four, beating a sprawling fielder at square leg. A stylish shot.

Once again Woakes is too short and too straight, this time it is flicked away for three runs by Babar.


11:35 AM

OVER 47: Pakistan 127/5 (Babar 26* Rizwan 4*)

James Anderson will start at the other end, expected given how well he bowled yesterday. Anderson hits Babar's pads first ball, it is going well down leg. Babar drops and runs into the leg side, picking up the first of the day.

A tempter outside off stump is well left alone by Rizwan.


11:31 AM

OVER 46: Pakistan 126/5 (Babar 25* Rizwan 4*)

Chris Woakes starts, completing his over which was interrupted yesterday. He starts full and then follows it up with a bouncer. Both balls well played.


11:28 AM

The players are out on the pitch

Stuart Broad leading the chat in the huddle today.


11:23 AM

Play is less than 10 minutes away

More wickets for England, or will Pakistan stage a comeback?

At 126-5, they will be aiming to get up to 200 minimum. 


11:16 AM

Jofra Archer is keeping busy in the warm-up

England's Jofra Archer wears keeping gloves as he trains ahead of the second day of the second cricket Test match between England and Pakistan, at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, England, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. - AL

11:13 AM

I reckon they probably should have just taken an early lunch...

An hour session scheduled after an hour and a half delay does seem slightly odd. Especially with rain forecast for later in the day.

Ah, cricket's idiosyncrasies.


11:03 AM

Lunch will be taken at 1.30pm

So we should get a nice hour session in, assuming there is no rain in the next 30 minutes or so.

And by nice hour, I mean for England. For Pakistan, the word to describe an hour session in overcast conditions would be rather different. 


11:00 AM

Play will start at 12.30pm!

Just 30 more minutes to wait then...


10:57 AM

There are promising signs...

The wider covers are off, some play could be not too far away!


10:40 AM

The covers are still on...

The umpires are having a tentative look around, with the official inspection 10 minutes away.


10:36 AM

A lot of love for Sam Curran in the poll

But to play devil's advocate, for Dom Bess there are plenty of series coming up - in India and Sri Lanka - where Bess will be key and do plenty of bowling. Curran is unlikely to make the XI for those matches. 

Furthermore, there are so many seamers around, Curran does not make the best team in home conditions either...


10:23 AM

There will be a pitch inspection at 11.50am

Hopefully we will get some action in the morning session!


10:19 AM

While we wait for play, a question: Who will end up with more Test match wickets Dom Bess or Sam Curran?

Dom Bess is 23-years-old, with 18 Test wickets to his name. His main advantage is that currently he plays every game.

Sam Curran is 22-years-old, with 41 Test wickets. However, he currently has a sporadic role in the Test squad.

Vote in the poll and feel free to put your reasoning in the comment section.


10:04 AM

The start has now been officially delayed

The weather is not too bad, hopefully we will get some play this morning.


09:57 AM

All eyes will be on Babar Azam today

He is currently on 25 and if Pakistan are to get back into this match, Babar will need a score.

He played some lovely shots yesterday, but was also worked over by James Anderson.

The pressure will be on a very talented young man.


09:45 AM

Sir Geoffrey Boycott's verdict on day one

England did an excellent job of dragging this game back after tea. But I am still worried about the two slip catches that went down earlier in the day. In tougher bowling conditions – like in India or Australia – those errors could cost the match.

Even though Joe Root and Stokes are excellent slip fielders, I’m convinced that they are standing too closely bunched in the cordon. They’re getting in each other’s way.

If our slip fielders spread their arms out, they will be able to touch fingers, or even overlap. That’s not right. It does seem strange that in this era of backroom staff and video analysis, the England team should be making such a fundamental error.

More from Sir Geoffrey here


09:36 AM

Weather update for the day ahead

The rain, lightning and bad light at various points meant that only half of yesterday's overs were completed.

Unfortunately, it looks like we have another day of interrupted play ahead. Rain is forecast throughout the day but there should be patches to get some action in.

There is some light rain currently, so start of play is likely to be delayed.


09:29 AM

A bit more on James Anderson here

James Anderson produced his best spell of the summer to tread where no fast bowler has before

It was nearly half past four, and Jimmy Anderson was sore. After bowling 15 of Pakistan’s first 40 overs, Anderson had just been hauled out of the attack, a cricketer who had earned a break. 

The first ball of Stuart Broad’s invited a drive from Babar Azam. The delivery was returned with interest, thundering to Broad’s right and through mid-on. Then, it was intercepted by Anderson’s outstretched left hand, diving at full length. Here was affirmation that Anderson’s essential desire to compete in an England shirt remains utterly undimmed by his 38 years, just as he had proclaimed before the second Test.

Read Tim Wigmore's full piece on Anderson here


09:23 AM

It was definitely England's day yesterday

England were well on top, and if they had not spilled catches in the morning session, they could be in an even more dominant position.

James Anderson was superb, as was Stuart Broad once again. Chris Woakes and Sam Curran supported the two legendary bowlers well.

With Pakistan currently 126-5, the aim for them has got to be to get to 200. If Pakistan can do that, with their dangerous bowling attack, they could be in the game.


09:11 AM

Good morning, here are Sam Curran's thoughts on yesterday's action

Sam Curran felt James Anderson removed any doubt about his ability to continue performing at "world class" levels as England's seamers left Pakistan in trouble at the start of the second Test.

Rather than sweep aside criticism of his performance in last week's series opener in Manchester, the most prolific paceman in Test history admitted that he had slipped below his usual high standards and asked for the chance to put things right at the Ageas Bowl.

Having been granted the opportunity, Anderson took care of his side of the deal, helping reduce the tourists to an under-powered score of 126 for five on a rain-shortened first day.

The 38-year-old's share of that was two for 35 from 15 overs, taking his career mark to 592 and kicking the idea of his own retirement a little further into the long grass by seeing off Shan Masood and Azhar Ali.

"Really, I was pretty shocked with all the stuff that was going on about him. He's obviously a world-class bowler and anyone who doubts him isn't very sensible," said Curran.

"He showed his class. I'm sure he'll go on to get his five-for and then hopefully creep up to 600. I'm just enjoying having him around and learning from him. He was out there helping me through my spells and picking his brains is great for me. It helps having Jimmy out there."

Curran, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes all followed Anderson's lead with breakthroughs in a productive evening session that lasted less than an hour before lightning, rain and bad light combined to bring an early close but turned a good start into a commanding one.

Curran was the man to remove top-scorer Abid Ali for 60, finding the edge with a hint of extra bounce outside off stump, a handy contribution for a player who owed his selection in large part to his ability with the bat.

Ben Stokes' absence on family matters persuaded Joe Root to go with the all-rounder ahead of Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson or the recovering Mark Wood and Curran was eager to make the most of his chance having spent three of the last four games out of the side.

While that would usually lead to a spell back in the ranks with Surrey, this year it has meant a frustrating stint as a front-row spectator inside the bio-secure bubble.

"I think it was a pretty late call, I found out this morning but Rooty did come to see me last night and said there was a high chance I might be playing," he said.

"It's nice to be back in the side. It's a tricky situation when you don't play I guess. You don't get to go and perform for your county; you don't get selected and you're back to your hotel room. Things like that are very difficult.

"But we've got such a great squad at the minute, we're gelling together really nice and the boys are lifting the guys that are not playing and keeping them involved."

PA