James Anderson completed his first 10-wicket haul in international cricket as England romped to a 354-run victory in the first Test against Pakistan.
After a quiet first half hour at Trent Bridge, Anderson (6-17) removed Imran Farhat for 15 and followed up with the wickets of Umar Amin and Umar Akmal.
Steven Finn struck in his first over to dismiss Mohammad Aamer before Anderson (11-71 overall) ran through the tail.
Pakistan were 80 all out before lunch, their lowest score against England.
It was a dismal performance on the fourth morning from Pakistan, whose inexperienced batting line-up has been ruthlessly exposed by England's swing bowlers.
And there is sure to be a clamour for one or both of Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan to be recalled for the second Test in the four-match series, which begins at Edgbaston on Friday. Both have Test averages over 50, but were jettisoned from the side by the Pakistan Cricket Board having been blamed for the infighting which undermined their disastrous tour of Australia last winter.
Resuming on 15-3, Pakistan got off to a surprisingly comfortable start as England bowled too many balls which did not require the batsmen to play a shot.
Anderson took time to find a threatening line from around the wicket but once he did, he was back to his deadly best.
After beating Farhat with a ball that straightened slightly off the seam, he delivered a vicious inswinger which took the edge and was comfortably caught by England Test captain Andrew Strauss.
Man of the match Anderson, continuing to revel in conditions tailor-made for his brand of bowling, removed Umar Akmal with another inswinger before Steven Finn snared nightwatchman Aamer, who drove uppishly and steered a thick outside edge to Kevin Pietersen in the gully.
Finn then dismissed Kamran Akmal lbw with a ball that was probably missing leg stump, the batsman unable to review the decision because Pakistan had already used up their two referrals.
Umar Gul failed to repeat his first innings heroics, although it took a spectacular catch from Paul Collingwood to dismiss him, the Durham all-rounder leaping to claim the ball with both hands as it flew above his head.
Collingwood was on hand again to snaffle an edge from Shoaib Malik to give Anderson his second five-wicket haul of the match.
And after a rapid 16 not out from Danish Kaneria, Anderson wrapped things up when Mohammad Asif nicked one to Graeme Swann in the slips.
What a 'interesting' post you really have Droike, really 'interesting' and it is surprising you actually know the names of these cricketeers.
ReplyDeleteI personally will walk past them and not ask for a autograph at all.
England are now 2-0 up in the series but were hardly inspiring on the opening day of the third test. England were 233 all out yesterday and Pakistan had reached 48 for 1 at the close of play.
ReplyDeleteShould England manage to win the series with a whitewash they will move above Australia in the ICC world test cricket rankings.
The series now stands at 2-1 after a nervy win by Pakistan. When Pakistan needed 140 odd to win with 10 wickets in hand it should have been easy. However Pakistan have been all out a couple of times in this series for far less. Pakistan started brightly and soon the runs required were coming down but as nerves set in an improbable England win started to look very possible.
ReplyDeleteAll things said a well deserved win for Pakistan and a devastating lesson in bowling for England in the last session of the penultimate day.
Well I hope those pakistan cricketeers pay some money towards that flood!
ReplyDeleteI prefer Football.
Bunch of Crooked Cheats!!!
ReplyDelete