England vs Pakistan: England on back foot on day one at Lord's

0:01Yeah, gone! Gone! He gets his fairytale ending! An epic way to go to a Test Match 100. The London Spirit of First Time Winners! The most remarkable thing you'll probably ever see in cricket! 604 and final Test Wicket for Stuart Ford. It's ended when the T20 World Cup. England's captain Ben Stokes, while he is there, England have hope.

0:32Welcome to the Sky Daily Review here at the end of day one. It is 151st men's test match at Lord's. A happy hunting ground for Pakistan and the home side looking for a 2-0 victory in the series. Alongside me, DK and Owen Morgan to talk about that and all of it that surrounds what Pakistan can do and what England did. So 2.48 for 9 at the close of play when bad light has interrupted. Dika, I'll start with you. What did you make of, in terms of looking at this, at the end of the day, even Stevens, you'd say, with Pakistan 9 wickets in England around the 250 mark? Yeah, you have to say that England has come back quite nicely.

1:14They were in a spot of bother, but then two good partnerships has gotten them to a pretty good score. 248 on a pitch which is definitely doing a bit is a good score. We all know how good the English bowling attack is. and the vulnerabilities that surround the Pakistan batting. So I think this test match as of now is at a good 50-50 stage. Well, Owen, there was a lot of conjecture around the 22 yards in recent time at the home of cricket. Now it was spighty, it was bitey, all of the adjectives that you can use in terms of the way the pitch played. What did you make? Because there was something there for everyone today.

1:50Yeah, there certainly was. And when it comes to the conjecture around the surface at-laws, It's always the case. We were here post the New Zealand Test match for the ODI against England and it was a record-breaking run fest for both teams. So the surface here has characteristics and particularly in Test match cricket, that's what we love to see. This morning we saw a little bit more on offer for bowlers. At lunchtime England were 80 for four. And again, the test of character in the afternoon as to how Pakistan would either continue to bowl well or England will fight back is part and parcel of test match cricket.

2:33So I'd say the surface is very good, well balanced. I'd probably disagree a little bit with who's the happier of the two sides. I'd say Pakistan are the happier of the two sides considering how well they've done. but nine down, you know, valuable runs at the back end, possibly tomorrow morning from Jofra Archer and Josh Tong. Sorry, not Jofra, he's already got his hubs knocked over. Gus. Gus Atkinson, I mean, who loves batting at this ground. Could be very valuable. Yeah, you talk about Pakistan, obviously, they had a lot to do in terms of better performance in bowling. And DK, I'll come to you with that.

3:13Like Owen said, the first session, 80 for four. Great overcast conditions. Mohamed Abbas, the leader of the pack, getting into the top three. A really good session. And definitely more in terms of discipline and control with the ball. Have to say yes to that. I thought it was a good toss to win. Conditions basically dictated the fact that bowling first was pretty obvious. And Pakistan ended up doing that. But it was good to see Mohamed Abbas hit his straps, to be fair to him. I think even in Leeds, he bowled quite nicely. obviously it didn't show in that wickets column which matters a lot but in this game again he's obviously started he got a bit lucky with the first wicket down the leg lovely catch by Rizwan but after that he actually showed why he is rated so highly especially in England with his records in county cricket he's picked up 900 wickets now there is nobody even remotely close to him Nathan Lyon is hovering around the 830 mark but 900 is a lot of wickets for a current day cricketer and he got the wickets of Ben Duckett, Joe Roode both very good deliveries and I thought his first spell set it up for Pakistan.

4:12Yeah, 121 wickets for Pakistan in test format at 20 and obviously he's added four more on from there. You look at England and obviously Jordan Cox with a great opportunity with back-to-back half centuries and that middle order, every time there were starts, Lawrence with runs, Smith with runs after a long time in a few test innings. What did you make of that middle order? Because there was chances of one of them to go on and convert to something bigger. Yeah, absolutely. And I thought Jordan Cox again at number three. It's only his third test. And the thing that strikes me about Cox in particular is just his temperament.

4:48He spoke before the start of play today about his innings at Headingley and batting with Joe Roode. He talked about batting time and trying to outlast Joe a period of time. So it's quite refreshing to hear from a young player making his way in test cricket, particularly when he's an all-formatted cricketer. He can score all around the ground, but he doesn't feel the need to always command his position at the crease. A lot of modern-day batters talk about imposing themselves and applying pressure on bowlers. Jordan Cox is happy to let the game come to him, back his technique, back his defence, and then ultimately play to his strength if the ball lands in his area to be hit.

5:32And he did that really well today. But I think he'll be sitting back this evening saying, yes, I've played well. I've got back-to-back 50s in test matches. But there'll be a part of him that will want to go on and get that big, big score and really announce himself at number three. So a lot of positives for him. I thought he played well initially with Dan Lawrence and then there was that run out. Great piece of work actually by Shan Massoud considering he dropped the catch previously at square leg. Just that one motion, pick up throw, proves invaluable really. And Jamie Smith, I think he's first or second 50 in 18 innings, so much needed runs for him.

6:15And I think having left Headingley, England would have been very happy and if they were to have one more thing happen for their team, it would be in runs for Jamie Smith. That has come today and I think he's played well. Well, in there you've picked on two moments of brilliance. I think it's worth mentioning because there's always a cloud of fielding not on the pleasant side of it. I think when you talk about Pakistan cricket and such was the story. We put together packages up in Leeds. Even today there was constant sort of back and forth in the commentary box about where the slip forwarding was.

6:46But before we come to that, like you said, Dan Lawrence, having put down Sean Masood having put down Dan Lawrence and Atom that really really good run out but then Salman Ali Agha story right like captain in that first match doesn't only lose captaincy but loses side comes in as sub and takes one of the most impeccable moments of brilliance in terms of slip cord and catches D.K. you've been obviously privy to some beautiful stuff to your right as well but that was brilliant that was absolutely stunning I think it is definitely the catch of the series so far I know it's a small series but short series rather but that was outstanding.

7:21That is good reflex that is good awareness. You've got to understand he was probably just sitting and chilling in the dressing room till he walked in and they put him in the hot spot of second slip. Probably didn't have shoes on also. Yeah and I don't know how he's dealt with the fact that he's not playing from being a captain to all the way not to playing that takes a toll on you as well but then to park all that aside come out there being aware and Jordan Cox was batting quite nicely and Kuram Shahzad obviously hadn't picked up a wicket up until then a lovely catch. What I really liked about that catch is as he dived, he took the catch, but the way he controlled his arm and made sure at no point did the ball be remotely close to the ground tells you the awareness as he was taking the catch.

7:57And that was beautiful technique more than anything else. And I think he'll be very proud of that effort. And you have to say that was Pakistan's shining light in terms of catching on the field today.

8:20Yeah, a couple of things for Pakistan to hang on to, apart from the better bowling attack in terms of the wickets at the show. But Owen, there was constant discussion around where that slipcord needs to be. And I'll let this to be to the both of you. Is it driven by almost a brave decision by the wicketkeeper, who will always pretty much define where everybody else has stood? Is it because you need to understand, A, the surface, the pace at offer, how close will you get in, whether it's as dangerous. Do you take one for the team if it does go on a flashy drive and you set in for the rest of it?

8:54Where does it come from? Because the entire discussion throughout the day was they could be slightly further up. Absolutely. And I think they'll regret not having made the decision earlier because not only does it allow you an opportunity to take chances that aren't previously there, but considering they could have easily have bowled England out today or be in a far more powerful position if they had. But it does change in every team. DK being wicketkeeper, captain, or myself being captain. It is just cricketing smats. If you see the ball not carrying through to the keeper, backward point, first slip, second slip, somebody is going to go, I think we should probably move up here, lads.

9:34Because one is going to carry and if it's a defensive shot, the pace is off the ball, not an attacking shot where the pace is gathered. And you just, you try and take that gamble. And here at Lourdes, you see people or teams coming here and planning for that. Just because of the nature of the surface. And I thought Pakistan just got it a little bit wrong today. But didn't necessarily get any better throughout the day. There wasn't a moment where I was sitting there thinking, alright, Mohamed Rizwan is far too close. And it's dangerous now. If at any stage I was thinking, it's just hitting him on the laces.

10:09it's coming through his shin height and he's not a tall guy we're not tall people so you have to use that to your advantage and just come forward it's as simple as that you have to accept that you're going to put some down and you're going to have to wear that and the team accept that and the fans accept that rather than the ball bouncing short majority of the time and it did so constantly I mean DK you were on comments when you pulled up that piece of Mitch Stark and slip cord and Steve Smith very close and with that helmet and also eventually hurt and damaged his finger but that was Mitch Stark bowling at 90 miles per hour.

10:42And that's where Owen's point comes in about the smarts of the game or hitting, sort of grabbing that opportunity. What did you make of it, obviously, having done that bid for a very long time? Without being too harsh on Driswana, I do feel it's a mindset thing. You need to be aggressive as a wicketkeeper as well. What would aggressive mean in wicketkeeping is making sure you're challenging yourself. Now, the more further front you come or more closer to the stumps or the batter that you come, the chances of you moving and taking catches become much lesser. But one thing you can guarantee is you'll be receiving the ball a lot higher than you would if you're standing back.

11:17That is one. What amazes me is if Rizwan is only comfortable doing this, why isn't Babur or the bowler saying, you know, push yourself, come in front to the slip cordon as well. Number of catches that went just around shoe height. You know, we saw for the spinner as well, you were standing so wide. It went between the keeper and Sao Chakel. Early on, Imam dropped one. And the number of times ball bounced well in front tells you that the pitch doesn't have carry. You'd rather have one that just flies past you than have the ball fall in front of you and you have no chance to take that catch. So I would like Pakistan to go back and sit with their fielding coach and figure out what does it take for us to be aggressive?

11:51How far front can become? And it's not like they have 90 mile per hour bowlers. All three of their bowlers are early 80s and Mohamed Abbas is a touch slower as well. So you can challenge yourself. The odd bye boundary will go down the leg. But I think as a keeper, you should be able to live with it. You've got to be challenging yourself to say, if there is an edge, I should give myself the best chance. And that comes only if you stand in front. Well, probably leads me into talking about both captains. Both reinstated after a full circle, obviously with England going off with the basketball. And we spoke to Woody about this.

12:25In fact, it's easier said than done in terms of tempering how or the mode of cricket that you want to play. I mean, Joe Root is obviously, well, I mean, you almost feel slightly, at one point I felt like the guy needs a hug. Because he was so, and his choice of words, he was very clear with obviously the all off-field shenanigans. But on the field, after coming off an exemplary commanding win at Leeds, he's asked for the team to make good, strong cricketing decisions. But in there, somewhere along the lines, it's also sort of your natural nature of the game in terms of Jordan Cox or Dan Lawrence or Harry Brooke, Jamie Smith.

13:01How do you think the team tempers it? Yeah, I think a lot of teams are sort of replicating in the shadow of their leader. And Joe identifying and creating a level of understanding around being more disciplined, playing in their own way. And then perhaps if the game allows it, we want to see that freedom and creative side of each and every player come out. And it's something that's probably lacked in the last year or so in the England test team. They just seem to force their way into positions and force their way out of positions. But given how they've batted in this short series so far, I think there's been an element of control around what they've tried to achieve.

13:48Even when they were 80 for four today, there was no running down the wicket and being reckless. It was some really good cricket being played. And that gives me an inkling into how Joe wants the team to play, because there we're trying to replicate exactly the mantra that he wants them to play. Yeah. Well, DK, on Barbara Azum, great to have your captain that is named to be there. He said he was 90 % fit yesterday at the toss. He said he's completely fit. So those are great signs and great turn-off numbers. But obviously, his away record, although this game was his first as captain in one of the Senna countries, i.e.

14:26South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia. But his away record is the best in terms of win percentages. However, always a different challenge when you come here. What did you make of him in terms of on-field and what do you make of him from the outside? For a start, obviously, him choosing the right call after winning the toss, that's a start, I think. Even with the Levin, they haven't tried to change it. One post change, which is himself coming in, which is very understandable. They stuck to the same set of players that they believed in a week ago, which is again a good sign. Now when it comes to Babur Azam and Pakistan, there's obviously a big challenge because he did well and then he was removed from captaincy and there's a lot of turmoil.

15:02But now he's got a second coming. In West Indies, obviously things didn't go their way as planned in the first test, but they came back quite strongly in the second test. And for me, as much as Babur Azam, the captain who's done very well on a day like this today in terms of marshalling his troops and making sure all four bowlers and he didn't go outside of that, stuck to that. I think it's Babar Azam the batter that's going to be extremely important when we come back tomorrow because if Pakistan stand the chance of competing in the series, I think it is down to the likes of Babar Azam to use his skill, to use his experience because it's going to be challenging and they have a very good potent bowling attack and and the skill of Babar Azam needs to come through with the bat that will give his leadership a flip as well.

15:43I mean in terms of him commanding respect not only just off the field but also showing it with the bat on the field will matter a lot. In days like this, in tough circumstances like this, it could be cloudy, it could be overcast, which is what we're thinking it would be tomorrow because of the fact that there's a bit of rain. If he's able to come out there, put up a score, and marshal the rest of the partnerships that he is in and take them to a good score, that will definitely earn not only brownie points from the fans, but also respect within the dressing room, which is something that will take him a long way, and also give him the confidence in taking any decision that he wants to.

16:15Yeah, I completely echo what you're saying in terms of Barbarazam, the batter, probably far more important to Pakistan, especially in this series. Now, just lastly, 80 for four in that first session and 68 for four in that last session. However, England did get 100 for one in that middle session. Just walking off Pakistan, again, can probably hold themselves together and say, guys, job well done. Yeah, absolutely. They certainly can. I'd much rather be sitting in the Pakistan changing room than the England changing room at the moment. I feel if England creep up to anywhere at 300, 315, they're in a better case because it will offer more for the bowlers again tomorrow, regardless of what the weather is like.

16:55So Pakistan should sit back, say given the turnaround from Leeds to Lourdes in such a short space of time has been fantastic, but it is only the start. Remember, a test match can turn on its head in one small, short session. so with the bat they have to come out and be disciplined having taken that final wicket tomorrow morning well then Leeds to Lourdes 248 for 9 as bat play spoils the party here on day 1 4 for for Mohamed Abbas including the top 3 Mohamed Ali really good with that tail 3 for as well runs for England's middle order that's all we have for you as a daily review for day 1 we'll see you tomorrow