Gooch backs England bowlers

Darren Gough will lead England's attack

Graham Gooch believes the inexperience of Pakistan's batsmen that could hold the key to the first Test.

Gooch is backing England's seamers to exploit the lack of experience of many of the tourists' batsmen in English conditions - just as they did against the West Indies last year.

"If our bowlers bowl well in English conditions we could cause some of the Pakistan batsmen problems because the ball is likely to swing and seam around," said the former England captain, who will be writing for BBC Sport Online throughout the summer.

"Not many of their batsmen, if any, have played here regularly and that should be an advantage to us, just as it was last year against the West Indies.

Pakistan's bowling attack is superbly experienced in this country, but their batsman are quite the opposite

  Graham Gooch

"Unlike previous years with the West Indies, only a couple had any real experience of playing in English conditions and that showed during the series."

When it comes to the tourists' attack it is a different matter, however.

Wasim Akram has played for a decade with Lancashire while captain Waqar Younis has toured here twice and had a successful spell with Glamorgan.

"There is quite a contrast in Pakistan's line-up with a superbly experienced bowling attack in this country, but their batsman are quite the opposite," said Gooch.

"If their bowlers click and are talking to each other, they could do a lot of damage and they also have two superb all-rounders in Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood.

Gooch: Experience gives England the edge

"Pakistan have some extremely talented cricketers - they've not always played as a unit but when they do, they are more than capable of going out and beating any side in the world.

"They are noted for being unpredictable and they could still easily upset things.

"There are rumours of their demise but they are usually at their most dangerous when they are fighting among themselves."

Graham Gooch's first column for BBC Sport Online will appear on Wednesday. He will be exclusively previewing and reviewing each Test against Pakistan and Australia.