Saturday 26 May 2018 17:19, UK
"Out-batted, out-bowled, out-fielded" - that was Nasser Hussain's take on England after two days of the first Test as Pakistan pushed on into a 166-run lead.
SCORECARD | HIGHLIGHTS | HOW IT HAPPENED
England dropped three catches on day two, missing two more catchable chances, as Pakistan built a commanding lead of 166 in the first Test at Lord's, closing on 350-8 in their first innings, writes David Currie.
Ben Stokes produced moments of genuine hostility as he produced his best bowling in Test cricket for quite some time to finish with figures of 3-73. The delivery which ended Babar Azam's enterprising half-century was a case in point and while it inflicted agonising pain on the batsman it saved England - for today at least - from further agony dished out from Babar's blade. Thankfully no X-ray was needed and let's hope we can see the battle renewed on day three.
Why is Joe Root England's new short leg? It's a decision an incredulous Mike Atherton branded 'ridiculous' - the former skipper believing the position deprives any captain a decent overview of the game. "Mark Stoneman read the race well - if you're going to do it, do it badly, so you don't do it again," chirped Nasser Hussain. But with Root reluctant to field at slip these days and the debutant Dom Bess - who might otherwise have had the job - bowling at the other end, England's options in terms of close-in fielders are currently few and far between.
Back in 1927 England picked a 19-year-old spinner Ian Peebles. Now in 2018 they have picked two 20-year-old spinners - Mason Crane and Dom Bess.
MICKEY ARTHUR: "We've had a really good two days. We are incredibly happy with the position we are in. We know it's not finished - we've got a hell of a lot of work to do. We knew that if we could get the ball swinging at a full length we'd have a decent chance against England and that's all we wanted to do. We've been working with Duke balls for two months now and Azhar Mahmood has really pushed the unit."
DAVID LLOYD: "Pakistan will be hoping its overcast on Saturday; the pitch has quickened up a touch and there is evidence of a little bit of up and down. I think the Pakistan card is solid and with their bowlers always interested, Pakistan will continue to fight really hard. They've also scored their runs at a very acceptable rate."
Watch day three of the first Test between England and Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am on Saturday.
