The series gets under way in Multan with Ben Stokes still missing for the tourists. Join our writers for updates
Babar, facing Atkinson, tries to get off the mark with one of his dreamy drives, only to be foiled by a sharp stop at mid-off. Then there’s a full toss which he tucks away. He sets off fast, seeing a two, but Masood can only limp a single. I wonder if he was thinking of retiring hurt until Shafique got out.You wait hours for a maiden from a spinner, then two come at once. Leach, the only miser in this attack, now has 14-2-37-0, and he should probably get a sliver of the credit for that wicket.
“To be fair,” says Steve Cox, “Zain’s description is exactly how I imagine Edgbaston, with a few more rowdy drunks thrown in.”Leach continues after tea and springs a surprise with his first ball, an airy yorker that beats Masood and inches past the off stump. “I do believe he’s tossed one up!” says David Gower. Masood, unruffled, plays a leg glance to maintain his policy of getting ’em in twos.At the same time, an email comes in from Liam Crowley.
“Just once,” says one of the commentators, “I’d like to see Leach try a moon ball.” Leach mysteriously fails to comply, but he does manage another near-maiden.Tidy enough from Root. England have managed to seal off the boundary, conceding no fours since that controlled edge by Shafique off Woakes seven overs ago. But only one ball, that ripper from Bashir, has carried any threat.
Masood drives his first ball majestically for four, then tucks two off the pads to move to 99. A single off the hip takes him to a refinded and courageous hundred, his first in Tests since 2020 and his first as captain. He was under so much pressure coming into this game; he has responded by racing to a century in 102 balls.Photograph: Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty ImagesBashir replaces Leach, who may change ends himself.
“I know it was only a few ODIs but I felt like Brook showed more captaincy potential in that Australia series than we’ve ever really seen from Pope,” asys Phil Harrison. “I know this is a tough gig and not everyone can be Ben Stokes but Pope just seems a bit random and scattergun – whereas Brook seemed to have decent plans and gambler’s instincts. I guess it’s a workload thing with him but I’d like to see them turning to him again, sooner rather than later.
It’s notable that Carse’s pace is already down below 85mph. I don’t say that criticially: it’s inevitable when he’s flogging the ball halfway down in 35 degree heat.Jack Leach continues after lunch. He ended the season in terrific form for Somerset, taking 36 wickets in eight innings, so he should be full of the joys. He has a slip and short leg for Masood, who drives a single to deep mid-on. There’s a hint of turn, no more than a soupçon.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
England captain Ben Stokes ruled out of first Test against Pakistan with injuryEngland captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the first Test in Pakistan as he continues to recover from a torn hamstring
Read more »
Dan Lawrence left out of England’s Test squad for tour of PakistanThe batter, who struggled as an opener in England’s series win over Sri Lanka, has been dropped, with uncapped Jordan Cox and Brydon Carse selected
Read more »
Stokes ruled out of series opener against Pakistan as England unveils Test debutantCricket: Australia have cruised to a comfortable win in their opening match of the T20 World Cup.
Read more »
Australian Diamonds vs England Roses first netball Test live updates — blog and scoresGeorgie Horjus will have to wait to make her international debut, as the Diamonds settle on their line-up for the first Test against England in Adelaide. Follow live.
Read more »
Sophie Garbin shoots Australia to victory in first netball Test against EnglandGoal shooter bagged 46 from 48 shots in Adelaide as Diamonds’ 70-57 victory opens three-match series
Read more »
Stokes in fitness fight for first Pakistan Test as hungry Crawley returnsZak Crawley declared that he is fully fit for England’s opener in Pakistan but the situation for the captain, Ben Stokes, is less certain
Read more »