ENG vs PAK: 1st Test – Talking points from the opening day
Already leading 1-0 in the three-match series, England went on to dominate the first day of the third Test against Pakistan at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton. Opting to bat first, the home side was struggling at 127/4 at one stage. However, Zak Crawley and Jos Buttler did not allow Pakistan to further dictate the terms. The duo remained unbeaten till the end of the play, adding 205 runs for the fifth wicket. Crawley, who celebrated his maiden Test ton, is batting on 171 not out while Buttler is closing on his Test century with the score of 87 not out. England finished the day on 332/4, here’s how it all began.
England’s opening woes continue
While the home side has found a steady and capable opening pair Rory Burns and Dominic Sibley, the duo has failed to perform simultaneously. Burns, who struck consecutive half-centuries against West Indies in the third Test, has failed to go beyond a score of 10 against Pakistan in four innings. On this occasion, he edged a catch into the slip cordon off Shaheen Afridi to be dismissed for six. England’s failure to launch a solid opening stand continued.
Struggling Joe Root
Another continuation came from the English captain as Joe Root once again fell for a score well below his capability. The batsman has been under fire for his lack of centuries and is slowly slipping away from the illustrious club of the Fab four batsmen. In this summer, Root has crossed the mark of fifty runs only once in eight attempts. After scoring 29 runs in this innings, he fell to a wonderful delivery from young Naseem Shah.
A very good ball.
Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/JVsNai1pz8 pic.twitter.com/6Av7Ik55oa
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 21, 2020
Crawley goes big
The 22-year old batsmen from Kent had impressed the onlookers in his debut Test series in South Africa. However, Crawley was yet to hit a century in his Test career. he had gone past the fifty-run mark thrice but had managed to go as far as 76. Making the most of his opportunity in this Test, Crawley did not look back once he got settled at the crease. Going into the tea break at 97 must have been nerve-wracking but he came back to complete his maiden ton. Not throwing away his wicket after reaching the landmark, Crawley continued to punish the Pakistani bowlers.
The moment Creepy reached his maiden Test century! ?
Scorecard/Videos: https://t.co/JVsNai1pz8#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/FtndOrCotw
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 21, 2020
The Buttler phenomenon
If there was one spot in England’s playing XI that was under heavy scrutiny, then it was that of the wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler. With Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow in proximity, Buttler had to step up with the bat and the gloves to retain his spot in the Test side. Responding wonderfully to the challenge, the maverick played a prominent role in winning the first Test against Pakistan. Coming out to bat at 127/4 in this Test, Buttler played the second fiddle to Crawley but ensured a steady flow of runs at the same time. He will be looking out to add another Test century to his name on the second day.
Big shots here from @josbuttler! ?
Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/JVsNai1pz8#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/lsHGd7NqIS
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 21, 2020
