~RS~a~RS~International~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~07~RS~){kind=small}
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~07~RS~) |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
bbc.co.uk navigation
BBC links
BBC © 2012 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
By Sam Sheringham
And so to day four of this enthralling Test match between Pakistan and England, with the hosts currently 125-4 in their second innings for a slender lead of 55 runs. Andrew Strauss's men have the edge and will be looking to wrap up Pakistan's second innings pretty pronto. The danger is that Pakistan eke out another 100 runs and set England a target of more than 150, before unleashing their trio of spinners on a wearing pitch. It should be a fun ride and it's good to have you on board.
On Twitter: "Misty damp morning in the desert. Good morning to bowl. Well when I say damp....not exactly raining."
You know the drill, but if you don't listen up. To get in touch, bung me an email to tms@bbc.co.uk with For Sam Sheringham as you subject, tweet me @samsheringham, or text us to 81111 (UK) with CRICKET at the start of your message. Fine work.
From Callum in Abu Dhabi, TMS inbox: "I've been to all three days at the Zayed Stadium here in Abu Dhabi (and going today as well), and day three yesterday was one of the best day's Test cricket I've been to. Not just for the action, which in the best traditions of Test cricket, see-sawed from one side to the other, but for the wonderful atmosphere created by a full stadium, the vast majority being Pakistan fans. It was loud, it was raucous, it was passionate - the drums and chanting of the Pakistan fans duelling with the Barmy Army and its trumpeter was marvellous."
"Elsewhere in the world of cricket, Australia needed less than 14 overs of the fifth day in Adelaide\u00a0to wrap up a 298-run victory over India, who lose the series 4-0 and have now lost their last eight Tests. And in Napier, New Zealand have won the only Test by an innings and 301 runs after bowling Zimbabwe out twice in a day for 51 and 143. Chris Martin took 6-26 as the Kiwis\u00a0won with two days to spare."
England will be looking to spinners Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann to rattle through the rest of the Pakistan batting order today, but with a new ball due in 19 overs Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad may also have a role to play. And England fans will be hoping Broady has been riled up by another local after yesterday's revelation that the taunts from a cab driver spurred him to put Pakistan to the sword with the bat.
On Twitter: "Last two away series for India...4-0 4-0. With the Batting they have I am amazed. Test cricket needs them to get back to their best. Aussies have improve but hard to say how much when the Indians have been so poor..2013 Ashes will answer that question."
"These two batsmen have to start again and sometimes it's not that easy. England might nick one and then the tail is open. They are not good enough to bat long. If they get a 200-run lead they have a chance, but there is no way they are going to do that."
So it's a misty morning in the desert, which may well help England's seamers this morning. "It looks like someone has drawn the curtains," says Aggers. Michael Vaughan says Pakistan's best chance is to come out swinging from the hip this morning. We'll be playing in five.
From Steve: "Two night shifts nearly over. Combined total time of waiting 22hrs for TMS to start."
It's Asad Shafiq's 26th birthday today and he kicks it off by blocking five balls from Graeme Swann after Azhar Ali pushes a single from the first ball of the day.
Jonathan Trott is off the field, with an upset stomach. With a name like his, I guess you are susceptible to it. Broad is charging in through the mist, with Azhar once again clipping the opening ball for a single before allowing Shafiq to see out the rest of the over.
Swann to Azhar, leg side, clipped for two to bring up his fifty off 143 balls. Then the same shot clatters into Alastair Cook's shin. You can't call that a chance really, you only catch those if they stick straight in your palms.
On Twitter: "Trott has the trots and is off the field. He is unwell, but is expected to bat in his normal position later. Get well soon!"
Broad is right on the money this morning. Would we expect anything less? But these two have started sensibly, and it's a maiden. After two overs of Swann, it's going to be Monty.
"The game in Napier was the second time in a Test match\u00a0that Zimbabwe were bowled out twice in a day by New Zealand, it also happened in Harare in 2005."
Azhar flicks Monty's opener against the spin through midwicket for a single. Monty is giving it plenty of flight but Shafiq uses his feet to smother the spin.
Broad induces an edge from Azhar but it doesn't carry, then beats the bat with the juiciest of pieces, just nibbling away from the batsman. Then he strays a bit on to leg stump, gives away two runs, and looks furious with himself.
The first big appeal of the day with Monty all over the umpire, but it was going down the leg side. Then Shafiq latches on to a short ball and pulls it to the boundary for his first runs for 34 balls.
"It's a terrific tussle," says CMJ in approval of the battle between bat and ball. Impressive to see the discipline of these two young bucks with bats. Broad tries his luck with a bouncer but Shafiq spots it early and takes evasive action. Then Broad over-pitches slightly and Shafiq drives him beautifully throught the covers for four.
Italian Si from Manchester: "At T2 Airport totally trying to stall my boarding to catch the start of the bbc online banta. Thinking of a reasonable excuse to delay this flight, just need 10min of Monty!!!"
Just when CMJ was talking up Shafiq as the next best thing in Test cricket, he only goes and gets out! The ball is wide of off stump, Shafiq reaches for it, gets the edge and Anderson takes a sharp catch at first slip.
"Panesar has been described as a bowling machine. You don't want him to be flighty or clever, he bowls a good pace on this pitch and you just want him to keep plugging away. He's got his reward - maybe Shafiq opened the face a bit but it was a good delivery and a good catch."
Shafiq opened the face a bit there to Monty, who is now just one wicket away from a five-for. Adnan Akmal faces up to Swann and England all go up for a catch at short leg. It's not given and they don't review it, which is a good decision given that it struck pad, not bat. Each team has one review remaining by the way.
"One more wicket and the rabbit hutch is open," says BBC Sport's Mark Mitchener. But Azhar Ali is proving a very tough nut to crack, safely seeing through Monty's next over.
The new ball is due in eight overs so for now it is spin from both ends with Swann operating in tandem with Monty, who almost seems to be the senior bowler these days. Two balls, two paddle sweeps, two runs off each one to Akmal.
"The last of Panesar's eight Test five-wicket hauls came against New Zealand at Old Trafford in 2008 when 6-37 skittled the Kiwis for 114 and set up an England chase of 294, which they got thanks to an Andrew Strauss ton. The man keeping wicket for England in that Test was Tim Ambrose. Remember him? Me neither."
Great over from Monty, twice fizzing it past Azhar's outside edge. Akmal is a bit busier than Azhar or Shafiq and seems to want to keep things moving. He attempts a reverse sweep but gets it wrong, before tucking one with the spin to square leg.
"Adnan Akmal doesn't like the short ball, so if Swann doesn't look that threatening, perhaps a spell of Broad could do the job."
From qamz114: "Do you remember Test at Multan in 2005 where England could not chase 190+ runs on the last day, I hope this ends the same way."
A good over for Pakistan as Azhar opens the face and gets himself three runs and, after an Akmal single, plays a brilliant paddle sweep over his left shoulder for four. The lead has crept up to 88 now and Azhar Ali has 65.
From TestValleyFC: "When was the last time all ten wickets in an innings bowled by England were taken by spinners?"
On Twitter: "Good run and gather from Trott just now, but I'm not sure he's moving with 100% enthusiasm and vigour. Don't blame him."
Swann to Azhar Ali. Struck on the front pad. Given out but Pakistan have sent it for review....
Would you believe it?\u00a0The ball-tracker\u00a0says the ball would have missed leg stump by some distance and umpire Steve Davis looks distinctly unamused to his decision overruled.
A drinks break gives England time to regroup as they search for these last five wickets. Just one over until the new ball.
From Alistair in Huddersfield, TMS inbox: "I've just earned brownie points to take our newborn downstairs to let the wife sleep. Just woke him up when Shafiq got out and now he won't stop crying."
A true rip-snorter of a delivery from Mont Blanc roars past Azhar's outside edge. Just shows how tricky it could be for the England boys against Ajmal and co later on. Here comes the new ball and here comes Jimmy...
On Twitter: "During the lunch interval on TMS we'll hear from Michael Clarke and Virender Sehwag, and we'll be live in Napier for news of an amazing Test day."
Jonathan Trott is off the field again and apparently he's not the England player feeling under the weather at the moment. We think the only reason he came back on is so that he will be allowed to bat at number three later on. No huge threat from Jimmy in the first over with the fresh cherry. The last ball is on Akmal's pads and he brushes it away for two.
"Pakistan might be double-bluffing me here. Perhaps they're happy to bat all day."
Broad is getting the ball to swing away very nicely here, and snakes one past Azhar's outside edge. Then a ball nips back and strikes the batsman's thigh, and they run a quick leg bye. He ends with a long hop outside off stump but Azhar has a lazy swing and doesn't connect. Michael Vaughan talks about how unpleasant it is to play cricket when you are not well - anyone got any stories?
The Breakthrough. Extra bounce, Azhar fends at the ball, it catches the shoulder of the bat and is snaffled by Prior. Jimmy gives Azhar the send off.
Pakistan's lead had just reached exactly 100 when that wicket fell. The ball was rising so fast that Prior was actually take off his feet as he took the catch. Abdur Rehman is the new man and he's off the mark with a diddle for two.
Akmal gets down on one knee and absolutely middles one but it's superbly stopped by KP at cover. Then another swipe outside off stump .. and Strauss takes a great catch to his right.
From anonymous: "Is it correct that, Trott may have been caught short from a quicker delivery?"
"I think England have saved 30 runs in the field here, which is a lot in a tight game."
Saeed Ajmal is off the mark from his first ball, and the last of Broad's over, with a guide to third man for three runs.
Lookie-likey time, my man Stephan Shemilt reckons Rehman has a touch of the Luka Modric's about him. Anyone care to disagree? Pakistan negotiate an over from Anderson, with a single for each of the tail-enders.
"A quick message to let you know\u00a0that our live text commentary service is getting a bit of a makeover next month. It will look a bit different but be laid out better, update quicker, include pictures and generally just be improved\u00a0- at least we think so. Anyway, back to the action with Sam."
From Anonymous: "Got a call at 1am from my lodger asking if he could bring a friend and three girls back to the flat for a quiet party. After a 15 stint in the office\u00a0I said\u00a0I didn't mind as long as they didn't disturb me. At 4am after asking countless times for the music to be turned down, one of them tried sneaking in my room. I threw the revellers out of the flat and told my lodger we will have words later. So I'm referring it to you lot as third umpire... Is he out or not out?"
Broad slams one into Rehman's pads and politely inquires of the umpire as to whether the ball may have been going on to hit the wickets. Ump Oxenford says no and it's not given. One review left and they don't use it.
Jimmy Anderson slams one into Rehman's pads and appeals. Once again the umpire says no, and after being given the hurry-up by Steve Davis this time they decide to review. It's a bad decision, with the ball pitching outside leg stump. No reviews left now.
From Joe, TMS inbox: "The last time England won batting last was over a year ago, against Pakistan at The Oval."
Broad tries to tempt Rehman with a ball outside off stump but he wafts, misses, and survives. England are trying to stick the knife in here, but like a mouse eluding its captor, Pakistan's tail keeps just slithering away before the trap slams shut.
From\u00a0Justin, somewhere in the Alps above Bourg St Maurice: "I once made a well compiled 80 not out against King Henry VIII Coventry which involved 'trotting' off the field mid-innings on two or three occasions..."
On Twitter: "Also at lunch on TMS, Alison Mitchell goes behind the scenes to find out what life is really like on an England tour, with Matt Prior her guide."
Modric (I mean Rehman) has a heave at Swann and it loops over mid-on. They run three and the lead increases to 117.
From Jon in Kuwait, TMS inbox: "Law 15 clearly states that if the lodger stands in line of the open bedroom door with all\u00a0three female guests hidden behind that door AND makes no attempt to invite you in to join the party, then he is clearly OUT."
This is becoming very interesting indeed as Pakistan scramble another three runs from Monty's returning over. We've had three wickets this session but 65 runs so I'd say Pakistan have edged it.
From Kelvin, TMS inbox: "Verdict is lodger out and three girls in for hotspot replay."
The annoyance is becoming a true irritation to England and these two are playing a few shots. Ajmal opens the face and gets two to third man before a single off an outside edge keeps him on strike.
From hotstepper80: "So your flat mate brings back girls, delivers them to your room no less? Think you owe him a hearty breakfast. Not Out."
Panesar to bowl the last over before lunch and it spits sharply out of the rough and runs away for four byes. Then a big, big appeal as the ball straightens and strikes the front pad right in front. Looked plumb from here but umpire Oxenford turns it down. Possibly a bit of inside edge? That's lunch. What a Test match this is.
England are still in the box seat, I don't think anyone would doubt that, but Pakistan are making it very interesting indeed, having extended their lead to 128 runs. We'll be back in 30 minutes or so but listen to TMS in the meantime.
Sam on the Wirral: "Re anonymous [0740] I'd say he's out, someone sneaking into your room is the equivalent of trying to paddle sweep and miss one from Ajmal and being given plumb lbw!"
"I don't know what it was like in the 1890s, but I reckon Test match cricket today is as good as it was ever was. Three out of four Tests are finishing with results within four days."
Lunch is over, play is resuming. Three wickets for England to take. Game on.
Swann pitches one right up, it straightens and clatters the pad. Umpire gives it but Pakistan review.
It's an umpire's call for hitting the outside of leg stump, but that means out. Dream start for England after lunch.
Three men around the bat for the new man Umar Gul, primed and ready to swoop. A few men out in the deep too for the biggie. But Gul is watchful early on, blocking his first three balls. A wicket maiden for Swann.
Monty from t'other end - Ajmal in blocking mode. No runs.
Big appeal for a bat-pad catch, then finally a swing, but he doesn't quite connect and Monty belly-flops on the ball to prevent a second run. That means Gul will be on strike for Monty's next over.
Nick Hoult, Daily Telegraph: "Press box caterers help Eng hacks by writing (spicy) (no spicy) labels under food trays. We will reciprocate in Eng (bland) (blander)."
Gul edges into space on the leg side but bizarrely pulls ranks and sends Ajmal back when there was an easy single to be had.\u00a0
Jeepers creepers. England have turned into the Keystone Kops! First Bell drops a sitter at leg slip but luckily replays show it came off the pad, then Monty turns into the old Monty with a hapless fumble at square leg, but he recovers to prevent a four. Then a cracking shot from Ajmal, sweeping hard for a rare boundary.
More sloppy fielding from England, this time by Eoin Morgan to turn one into two. Forget it, it matters not, because Monty's got another as Ajmal pushes forward, edges and is caught at slip.
And that is five wickets for Monty Panesar! His ninth five-for in Test cricket in his first appearance since Cardiff 2009. Well played sir.
Mark in Wigan infirmary: "Still no sign of baby after coming in at 2pm yesterday! Been told a flat 'no' on the mere suggestion of the name Monty if it's a boy."
From Ben, London, TMS inbox: "Aggers, we love Monty because he's not Ashley Giles and can spin the ball."
Not surprisingly, Strauss introduces a seamer to try to take the last wicket in the form of Stuey Broad. But it backfires as Umar Gul rocks back and spears him over midwicket for a huge six. A mighty, mighty blow. The last ball provokes some "oohs" and "aahs" but beats the flashing blade.
"When do England do things the easy way? They never chase down targets easily. Trott's back on, but I'm not sure he'll be on long enough to bat at three."
Monty Panesar, you are officially my hero. Junaid Khan tries to heave him out of the ground, misses by a mile and his middle stump is smashed. Hugs all round for Monty.
So England's winning target is 145, which should, and I use the word cautiously, be relatively straightforward. Ian Bell sprints off the outfield which suggests he will be moving up to number three in place of the trots-afflicted Trott.
The reason for my caution. Three reasons in fact. Saeed Ajmal. Mohammad Hafeez and Abdur Rehman. Three spinners, all of whom have troubled England this series. The final act is almost upon us and Monty's trending on Twitter again!
From Lindsay O'Regan in Ayr, TMS inbox: "Well played Monty! Does this put Swann under pressure? When they revert to one spinner who will it be? Let's see how Swann now responds to genuine competition."
From David, TMS inbox: "How unreasonable are some women! I brought her a cup of tea, as requested but what thanks do I get? Just a complaint that 5.45am is a little on the early side and messrs Boycott, Agnew et al are not desired at stupid o clock. 35 years of marriage and I still don't get it right. "
From mrprobopple: "Have a tear in my eye watching Monty being clapped off. Well done that man, well done."
Mr Vaughan has been talking up Broad as man of the match, but surely it's Monty after that performance. Having said that, Pakistan could still have a say if they put the frighteners on England. Here come Strauss and Cook. Let the drama unfold...
From Ken, Nottingham: "England's man of the match has got to be Chris Tremlett for falling on his sword! I'm sure Straussy would've stuck with\u00a0three pacers otherwise..."
Pakistan are opening the bowling with a spinner in the form of Hafeez. He gobbles up left-handers for breakfast, lunch and dinner remember. Strauss looks a bit nervous but manages to get himself off the mark from a thickish edge.
Umar Gul has the new ball in his hand and charges in under bright desert sunshine, and Strauss gets another run down to third man. Plenty of swing for Umar, mostly after the ball has passed the bat. Cook pushes a single to get his own score moving.
Bell is indeed padded up on the balcony next to a grinning Monty, while Trott pops another couple of imodium. Hafeez gets a bit of extra bounce and Cook takes one in the midriff. One run to each batter, creeping towards the target.\u00a0
"Mohammad Hafeez completes the double of opening the batting and the bowling in a Test for the third time. According to Cricinfo, the list of players to have done this is quite long and includes, amongst others, Virender Sehwag, Sunil Gavaskar, perennial Kiwi number 11 Danny Morrison, Jack Hobbs and Graham Gooch."
Cook wafts at one from Gul then pretends he didn't play at it. A single each on the leg side.\u00a0
From Pamelams: "David's wife is very lucky! My husband brought me the tea and proceeded to turn off the cricket I was watching in favour of two squealing women runnin around a tennis court."
You can follow the Aussie Open final with live BBC video coverage, audio commentary and text commentary by Aimee Lewis, on the BBC Sport website
One to Strauss, two to Cook, steady start.\u00a0Encouraging stat alert from TMS. England have only once failed to chase down 150 since 1902. That was in Wellington in 1978 when they were skittled for 64, when a certain Mr G Boycott was captain. Here's the big man's explanation...
(On\u00a0that England defeat in Wellington)\u00a0"The first ball of that match, John Wright was playing his first Test, gloved it to Bob Taylor and was given not out. Let me tell you, the worst umpires I've ever seen were New Zealanders, and the worst of the lot was Fred Goodall. Wright made 55, we had a good bowling attack but there were huge gales in the second innings, Richard Hadlee was a quality fast bowler\u00a0and we had one or two poor batsmen."
Gul sends down a bouncer to Cook, which he thinks about hooking before thinking better of it. Then a ball down the leg side and Akmal appeals for a catch. Cheeky so-and-so. Cook was nowhere near it.
From Simon in London: "Monty's not done yet. He's still got to bat for an hour and edge a cheeky single to win the game."
Strauss plays out a maiden from Hafeez. It's a cautious start from the England boys but they know if they can keep wickets in hand they will walk this. Having said that, here comes Ajmal..
Cook gets forward and smothers the spin. Then a big appeal is dismissed out of hand by Steve Davis. They choose not to send it upstairs and looks like it was sliding down. Not many people in the ground today I'm afraid after yesterday's brief influx. For Saturday, read Monday in the Emirates.
Pakistan will appeal for anything here, that much is clear, as Akmal leaps like a salmon to claim a catch after the ball flies past Strauss's bat. Silly point comes in and Strauss flicks a single into the resulting gap.
From Chris on the Sunshine Coast, Australia, TMS inbox: "Our first child was due on the day of the 2003 Rugby World Cup final featuring my beloved England but I gave away tickets for the event. Rosalind was eventually born two weeks late and the counselling for me isn't cheap. Our next child was born when Flintoff was at the height of his powers in England, 2005. The hours of inactivity at the hospital were exceptionally exciting as we watched the Test match that night. Even the obstetrician was late to arrive in the early hours as he'd been watching the game. Freddie was dismissed as a suitable name by my wife."
Are England going to pick these off in singles? Still no boundaries yet. A single to Strauss makes it 14 runs in 10 overs so far.
Injured England seamer Tim Bresnan: "Awesome from lads this morning. Now let's go get 'em and tie this up - 1-1 [with] one to play. #comeonboys Well bowled Monty."
Ripper from Ajmal as Cook goes looking for it and very nearly gets an edge. Then he doesn't pick a doosra and gets cramped up. From the last 36 balls we've had two runs.
On Twitter: "Watching Strauss v Ajmal; bit like watching daughter roller skating. Anxiously willing her on, hoping she's learning, waiting for the fall."
Hafeez beats the edge with a sharp turner. Then finally a run! Strauss turns his wrists around a they get one to midwicket. Then a more meaty shot from Strauss in his favoured area square on the off side and they run two. A single to square leg completes a positively prolific over.
Henry Blofeld paints the warming image of Strauss seeing this through to the end and that will certainly be what the England skipper has in mind. He moves to 14 with a wristy flick for three runs, the highest-scoring shot of the innings so far. Cook on strike now, he looks uncertain, and is caught and bowled off a leading edge!
Hafeez took that catch very sharply, diving to his left, and as expected Ian Bell is the new batsman. It's a drinks break, which gives England a minute or two to regroup.
Two more runs for Skipper Strauss, squeezing Ajmal past the slips and Bell will be on strike to Hafeez next over.
"Poor old Junaid Khan - he was picked as a fast bowler, only bowled eight overs in the first innings, made a pair of spectacles\u00a0[with the bat] and dropped a dolly of a catch, so he's not had a great Test match."
Michael Vaughan returns to the comm box with the cheery thought that there's a "quick bang-bang" of wickets around the corner. Bell does his best to prove him wrong with a nice on-drive for three runs. Ooh la la, Pakistan think they've got Strauss, caught at short leg. Umpire Oxenford wants the third umpire to see if it carried. Knife edge moment for England...
Third umpire Billy Bowden takes an age over this one, before deciding Strauss is NOT OUT. That looks a very questionable decision to me, Vaughan, Blowers and many others I'm sure. Strauss definitely hit it, a big clear inside edge and it looked as if Azhar Ali had his fingers comfortably under the ball. THe trouble is when these catches are slowed down, they start to look a bit unclear, and sometimes it looks as if the ball hit the ground when it didn't. Anyway a big reprieve for England.
Bell plays with soft hands, but the ball spins back and he's bowled! And Trott's got the trots. Worrying times for England.
"I can't believe Hotspot didn't show that inside edge from Strauss\u00a0on the catch. It was a big inside edge onto the pad. And Bell didn't read that from Ajmal until the last minute. He had to reshape his shot but he'd played it with such soft hands that the ball dribbled onto the stumps."
This is turning into one of the great Test matches as Kevin Pietersen strides out and has a long chat with his captain. These two have been desperately short of runs of late but boy do England need them now. Suicidal! KP tips and runs, turns round and is very, very nearly run out by Shafiq. A couple of bat-pads, some stifled appeals. Tense, and that is a huge understatement.
From David in Newbury: "English sports teams - Try to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory since civilization began."\u00a0
Vaughan is imploring England to be more aggressive, to make Pakistan think a bit, but it's pure survival mode at the moment from Strauss. Then he finally goes after a sweep, and gets a leg bye. England have scored 29 runs in 19 overs. Looks like we'll be back tomorrow.
Strauss is playing right back to Ajmal and he's beaten again. Then finally, off the final ball of the 20th over, a boundary as Strauss connects with a square cut.
From Tristan in Suffolk, TMS inbox: "Uh-Oh. Please don't collapse England. Please KP, see us through! Play sensibly please!"
KP gets down the pitch to Rehman, he's rapped on the pad and is given out. But England are sending it for review.
Replays show the ball clipping the bails and he has to go. He was playing across the line again. Desperate for England.
"That was really poor technique from KP. And this could be the deciding moment of Eoin Morgan's Test career."
Horribly shot from Morgan. Nowhere near the ball and he's bowled.
From Anonymous: "Please can we try a different batting line up next Test?"
This is extraordinary, unthinkable. Matt Prior is at the crease and England haven't even got 40 runs on the board yet. Tea is imminent, can England survive without further damage?KP looked apoplectic when he left the field but he only has himself to blame and Morgan, frankly, may not be seen in Test cricket again for a while. The batsmen crossed so Strauss is on strike, getting himself two runs down to third man. That's tea and Pakistan are walking off to a tremendous reception.
From Rich, TMS inbox: "Can we send Trott out in a nappy?"
From jackbyrne91: "Tactical masterstroke to have Trott and Monty at the end."
From Kevin Marshall, TMS inbox: "It's all set up for Panesar to hit the winning runs."
I have just exhaled for the first time in 20 minutes. And don't forget Strauss should have been given out for a catch at short leg. Vaughan still thinks England will do this, but with 106 runs still needed, it is going to take some serious guts to to do it. And their gutsiest player, Jonathan Trott, has a problem with his guts. Oh dear.
"26 players have been bowled or lbw in this Test match, which equals the world record set by\u00a0West Indies against Pakistan\u00a0at Providence last year."
From Liam_Sayers: "This is where the captain needs to come to the party. Real sporting pressue, can't get this in any other sport."
"CMJ said earlier he thinks Trott will have to 'do an Eddie Paynter' here. England were struggling in the fourth Test of the Bodyline series in 1932/33 at Brisbane when Lancashire left-hander Paynter \u2013 who was in hospital suffering from tonsilitis \u2013 rose from his hospital bed to come in at number eight and score 83, and England went on to win the series-clinching Test.\u201d
From thelazykoalas: "Eoin Morgan has the average of a 1990s English batsman but the opportunities of a 2010s English batsman. Must make Hick angry."
"When the camera panned on to Pietersen, he was saying a pretty rude word, which I could lip-read - I don't think he was happy with his decision."
"Kevin Pietersen clearly has a problem with left-arm spin, there's no denying it. Every time he faces it, we sit here and say 'lbw, any minute'. His technique's just not good enough."
We're hearing that Jonathan Trott is padded up, is feeling "perkier" and will bat next. Boy do England need him, and they need him at his very best. It's very noticeable that most of the England batters were out to defensive strokes, weak prods, which really backs up the call for them to be a bit more positive out there. "If they don't come out with a different mindset after tea, they'll be bowled out," says Vaughan.
Here we go then. A session to beat all sessions. Forget Liverpool-Manchester United, somewhere in the desert there is an unbelievable sporting drama unfolding. And the beauty is, nobody has any idea what is going to happen. Play.
Prior tips and runs, Strauss is very slow to follow his lead and is not a million miles away from getting run out. England need rhythm and Strauss should be ready to run the quickies. Four fielders and the keeper around the bat for Strauss but he rocks back and cuts for four. KP and Flower applaud from the balcony.
From Carol, Portugal, TMS inbox: "I don't know why they're all worried, we all know that Broad's going to save the day."
What was that about playing aggressively? Prior needs to play himself in first. He's getting well forward to Ajmal and it's a maiden over.
From keatsty11: "Times like this we are crying out for Collingwood! James Taylor needs to come in for Morgan. No glue in the middle order!"
One to Strauss to midwicket, then a good shot from Prior, a nice controlled sweep for two, followed by an even better one, a cover drive for a very welcome boundary.
Akmal leaps into the air to appeal for a catch behind, but even Ajmal doesn't look convinced. I don't think he did nick it but it was a great delivery.
From Goober Fox, TMS inbox: "Would it be a good idea to get international umpires together and give them some low catching practice, film it and show them the results? This would give each umpire the experience of knowing that they had taken a clean catch just above the ground, and be able to see how this looked on camera. This might help them make correct decisions when they're acting as third umpire"
"With England crying out for middle-order solidity in a crisis, where is Brigadier Block? Well, Paul Collingwood, as he's more generally known, is playing for Perth Scorchers against Sydney Sixers in Australia's 'Big Bash League' domestic Twenty20 final. He made 32 from 25 balls in Perth's 156-5 and is now out in the field, though he hasn't bowled yet."
Prior pushes forward to Rehman and is beaten comprehensively. This is an examination of the most severe variety. Think Masters degree in quantam physics type stuff. It's a maiden.
From richhiggins10: "Watching Pietersen and Prior block the ball is like watching a lion eat a salad!"
Strauss is playing so late that he's in danger of blowing off his bails with the breeze created by the swing of his bat. It's another maiden, England have ground to a halt again.
From Tim Raglan: "Monty's performance shows change works,we can't leave the likes of James Taylor and Jonny Bairstow out for the out-of-sorts KP and Eoin Morgan. CHANGE IS A MUST!"
Prior sweeps for a single to break the shackles. "This is like a form of Chinese torture for both sides" says Blowers. Then a cracking shot from Strauss as he middles a sweep for four. Then he's trapped back on his stumps and the finger is raised. Review.
Umpire's call, the ball was hitting the top of the stumps and the skipper walks. Enter Trott.
Don't forget Geoffrey Boycott wagered all three of his houses on England winning this Test last night. Could it be a Partridge-style travel tavern existence for Sir G? Prior is rapped on the pads and Ajmal appeals, but that's an optimistic one and Prior survives.
From jmannick: "Drastic change is not needed, James Taylor for Morgan. Morgan should stick to ODIs."
Chaos in the middle. Trott clips to short third man. Prior runs, Trott doesn't and should be run out. But Pakistan aren't at the races and somehow Trott lives to fight another day. Prior opens the face and gets three to third man and England move to 60. Every 10 runs feels like a landmark. Stuart Broad is padded up and tucking into a Red Bull. England might be sipping on something a bit stronger than that tonight. This feels a bit like Trent Bridge 2005, but who is going to be Hoggard, and who Giles?\u00a0
"England are doing well off the edge - every time they get it between slip and point, they get two or three runs. I might have sent Broad in ahead of Trott - if someone could come in and score 30 quickly, it would spread the field and put the pressure on the Pakistan fielders and bowlers."
Prior is struck on the pad, but he was outside the line of off-stump. In fact ball hit glove so Pakistan's review was frivolous. The next ball is a much better appeal. It hit him low on the back leg. Was there some bat on that? We are going to have a review.
I don't think he hit it but replays show the ball was missing leg stump. This is absolutely gripping, in the most painful sense of the word.
"Those three houses are staked on England winning. The way they're playing, the estate agent is getting ready to put the 'For Sale' placards up!"
Excruciating, that's the word. Trott has already been in the runs today as we know, but unfortunately not the right kind for England. The last ball of Rehman's latest over tears past the bat.\u00a0
Prior has a slap and connects, but it's only two runs through the covers. You cannot take your eyes of this. Something is happening every ball with Pakistan swarming all over England. Prior loops one in the air over short leg, but it was off the pad, so could not have been a catch. Then a sweep down to long leg for a single and Trott survives an lbw appeal from a doosra. All in an over. Agonising.
From Mike Logan, Sheffield, TMS inbox: "Are all Sir Geoffrey's houses made from solid stone-walling?"
England are not even half way to their target yet but that will help as Trott has a flick and gets four leg byes. Then a straight one from Rehman and Trott is pinned back, plumb in front of middle stump. No reviews left, he's got to go.
"These are just orthodox deliveries. To miss that one was incredible. England are so negative, they don't have any comfort level of where to play. This is just a slow turner."
Here's Stuart Broad. Does he go after the bowlers? I think he has to really. He won't get a chance as Rehman turns one sharply through the gate and takes out his off timber.
And that's five wickets for Abdur Rehman for the first time in Test cricket. His figures are 9.5-4-25-5. Extraordinary.
"There have now been more bowled and lbw dismissals than any other Test history - 28 beating the previous record of 26."
Swann keeps out the last ball of Rehman's over but England look doomed now and Pakistan can claim the extra half hour should they need it. This is catastrophic and I've just been told England's lowest ever total against Pakistan is 130.
From Simon, Oxford, TMS inbox: "How many abject defeats in a row do we need before England loss their number one status?"
Ajmal, who has only taken one of the wickets so far, beats Swann with a well-bowled doosra. Then Swann plays a nothing shot and is out lbw. DIABOLICAL.
From danielmarcevans: "Beyond embarrassing. Would anyone like to buy my tickets for the third Test?"
England's tactic of playing on the back foot to the spinners has come back and punched them in face. This has been abject. And you probably won't believe me but the pitch is not even doing that much. It's turning a bit but most of the demons are in England's heads.
From James in Holloway: "What\u00a0I thought would be a fantastic hangover cure has only served to remind me of how much of a headache i have."
Prior slices a catch to cover and Ajmal becomes the quickest Pakistan bowler to reach 100 Test wickets.
Anderson has a hoik and is caught at deep square leg. It's all over. PAKISTAN HAVE WON BY 72 RUNS
Pakistan have also won the series, having taken an unassailable 2-0 lead. This is England's lowest ever total against Pakistan and surely one of Pakistan's most famous victories.
Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan puts an arm round his counterpart Andy Flower as the players shake hands in the outfield. Pakistan are jubilant, England stunned. "Embarrassing," says Michael Vaughan. Abject, truly abject.\u00a0
From Anonymous: "Take out Strauss and Prior and it's 9 wickets for 13...\u00a0number one\u00a0in the world? Lucky to be number 100."
"This has been one of the great victories for Pakistan - England have been on top for three days but have just capitulated. There's nothing worse than losing a game you should have won. This is a great series victory for Pakistan, playing 'at home' but not at home."
From Mark Smith, TMS inbox: "I resign as an England supporter. This lot do not deserve fans."
"The finger has to be pointed out that this England team has a problem against spin. They lost to Ireland and Bangaldesh in the World Cup - and Bell, Pietersen and Strauss clearly have problems batting against spinners. Rehman bowled lovely, but there were no balls spitting."
"Murali had Ian Bell on toast. Shane Warne had him on toast. And now Ajmal has him on toast. Orthodox spin bowlers he plays well - but against top-class spinners he's struggling. This will hurt Andrew Strauss - the last series he lost as a skipper was in the West Indies after that 51 all out in Jamaica. The openers set the tone, but they sent out a negative mentality to the rest of the team."
Only two England batsmen (Strauss and Prior) made double figures in that innings and not one of them looked comfortable at any point in their innings. Big, big questions need to be asked of this team. Number one in the world? Feels like a bad joke at the moment.
From Matt, Coventry: "England paid the price for being too cocky, thought they could rock up and win easily. Batting is so weak when we come up against decent bowlers. They are just flat track bullies."
Here comes the post-match presentation. How will Strauss explain that one away? Stay here to find out.
"For three days, England would have felt like they were playing their way back into this series - then, boom."
Abdur Rehman is Man of the Match for his magnificent 6-25 in the second innings. Here he is: "Yesterday my team-mates said 150 would be enough, we bowled line and length and didn't give them a single run and it worked. Ajmal is a great partner for me, I have a lot of confidence when he is at the other end."
England captain Andrew Strauss: "A lot of people are feeling down and disappointed. In circumstances like this its important to acknowledge how well Pakistan played. They were outstanding to day and thoroughly deserve to have won the series. I wish I could explain it. It was about good bowling from both ends, making it hard from us to score and maybe we didn\u2019t take as many good options as we should have done. Sometimes you need to spend a bit of time at the wicket, there is always that balance between attack and defence but ultimately we didn\u2019t do it right. We worked hard to get into a position to win the game, but ultimately we couldn\u2019t take that opportunity. We\u2019ve been rolled over three times out of four. The top order have got to take that on the chin and make sure it doesn\u2019t happen again."
"England didn't seem to have a clue where they were going to get a run. There was more chance of them getting an edge, or getting byes or leg byes. They may be the number one side in the world, but they haven't won on the subcontinent and on this evidence, they're not going to."
A reminder if you are just tuning in that England have slumped to an absolutely humiliating 72-run defeat to go 2-0 down in the three-match series. Here's Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq...
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq:\u00a0"I would like to thank mighty Allah for granting us such a wonderful victory - it\u00a0 was a wonderful team effort. The plan was to look for something like 325-330 in the first innings, we were short of that. But Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq played well under pressure when the game was slipping out of our hands, and I thought if we could get a lead more than 120-130 it would be a good game. I had belief in my bowlers, we play spin well but we were struggling when the ball was turning and I think Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman were difficult to play."
"I've seen some bad performances over the years but that's as bad as I've seen. I couldn't find any excuses and I wouldn't want to. They had to change the batting order, but to not be able to make 150? That was as bad as you could get. Rehman is an orthodox left-arm spinner, but he's not Hedley Verity or Derek Underwood. Monty bowled two people out by pitching leg and middle and hitting off, but I didn't see any of that from Rehman. They were missing straight balls. And Morgan? If he's a Test player, I'm going to eat that famous hat. You'd have to see it to believe how bad it was."
You can listen to the full Boycott rant on the TMS Podcast shortly, but if I were you I'd go and have a cold shower, crack open a beer, and try to forget all about it. Then sink your teeth into Mike Henson's live commentary of the FA Cup fourth round. I'm off to do all four.\u00a0
Bookmark with:
What are these?
Print Sponsor