Homeeditors pickPAK vs ENG, 2nd Test, Day 1 Analysis: England in command after tons from Root, Cook
Pakistan vs England, 2nd Test, Day 1 Analysis: England in command after tons from Joe Root, Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook smashed his way to a 29th Test ton, while Joe Root punched his way to a 10th Test century on Day 1 of England vs Pakistan, 2nd Test at Old Trafford.
With all the euphoria of the first Test between Pakistan and England over, it was finaly time for some action. With a 1-0 lead in the series, Pakistan would have been on cloud nine, whereas England would have brainstormed ideal scenarios of a comeback. Winning the toss, and seeing a placid pitch, Alastair Cook would have licked his lips. With England deciding to bat first, Misbah-ul-Haq hoped that his trio of left-armers— Mohammad Aamer, Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali — would have burst through the batting line-up, which seemed in trouble in the first Test at Lord’s. With all to play for, for both Pakistan and England, Day One looked anything but a suspense thriller in the making. Vishal Mehra decodes how the day panned out for both the teams’ heading into Day Two. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: England vs Pakistan 2016, 1st Test at Lord’s
Morning Session: Pakistan started off on the right note with Aamer nabbing Alex Hales for 10. Hales, who opened the innings with Cook, looked to block everything they bowlers dished out to him, thereby curtailing his natural instincts. After his wicket it was the Cook and Joe Root show throughout the day. Cook who batted with immense patience was comfortable in latching on to anything lose by the bowlers. To his discredit Aamer, Yasir Shah did gave him easy balls to relieve all the pressure. Cook in his typical style kept, blocking and leaving anything outside off. With absolutely nothing from the pitch and sun beaming down on the ground, Misbah’s bowlers looked anything but treacherous. ALSO READ: Cook completes half-century of fifties in Test cricket
On the other hand, Root, who is going through a poor run of form of late showed his true caliber set himself a good platform. Learning from the mistake he committed in the first Test, Root took his time to get his eye in. Root particularly played Yasir Shah with ease, unlike the first Test where he looked fidgety and unassertive. This time around, Root used his feet and showcased his temperament exceedingly well.
Afternoon Session: Cook and Root in this session took control. Cook was distinct in his batting style. Cook looked the more aggressive of the both as he steamrolled himself towards a memorable ton. Cook was even lucky to survive a drop catch by Younis Khan in slips (replace him from the cordon, maybe?). Cook took a liking to Yasir, as he milked him for 39 runs off 54 balls. Cook’s second fifty came in as many ball’s. Root on the other hand, was tactical in this approach, leading Misbah to ask Yasir go around the wicket to him. Sadly the ploy playing 3-left armers didn’t go well with Pakistan as there was no rough patch outside Root’s leg stump for Yasir to exploit. ALSO READ: Joe Root’s dazzling ton steers England to 314/4 at stumps
The only bright spot for Pakistan was at the very, very end of the session was provided by Aamer, who was treated by a hostile English crowd chanting calls of ‘no-ball’. Cook eventually inside edged one back on to his stumps for a remarkable 105.
Evening Session: The last and final session on Day 1 belonged mainly to Root, with Pakistan getting some relief with the wickets of Gary Ballance and James Vince. Root, who had played second fiddle to Cook, now become the anchorman for England and batted throughout the session. Root not only kept the scoreboard ticking but ignited confidence in Vince and Ballance. This only showed his leadership skills as a vice-captain. Root effortlessly reached his 10th Test ton and celebrated that with a fist-pump in the air.
For, Pakistan Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah kept on producing close chances in a bid to foil England’s plan of scoring big but to no avail. Riaz’s second innings spell from the first Test was almost replicated with Ballance and Vince playing a missing on regular basis. Yasir finally in the very end of day found some amount of turn and bounce on the track. With the new-ball in hand and a tad bit of cloudy conditions to help, Rahat Ali grasped Ballance’s wicket, who was outdone by his own shot selection.
Thrilling times ahead on Day 2: With Root unbeaten on 141*, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes hanging in the wings, England would feel opulent starting Day Two. Root’s fluent batting will find perfect foil in the aggressive style of Stokes and Bairstow. England will want them to dexterously get the score across the 400-450 run mark. A new ball in hand, and with an upbeat triad of Aamer, Rahat and Riaz, Pakistan will be hoping for early departures the likes of Root, Bairstow and Stokes, and restrict them within the 400-run mark. Day Two should provide Yasir purchase and assistance from the pitch.
(Vishal Mehrais a reporter at CricketCountry, who enjoys his weekly dose of anime, and plays cricket once a white moon. His twitter handle is @capturethecatch).
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