England have been thrown a curve-ball forward of Ben Stokes’ doubtless comeback within the second Check in Pakistan, with the hosts able to re-use the identical pitch in Multan.
It’s uncommon for Checks to be performed back-to-back on the similar venue and remarkable for a similar pitch for use twice in succession however, after dropping the collection opener by an innings and 47 runs, it seems the hosts have sought a left-field resolution.
The observe was stubbornly flat for the primary Check, with first-innings totals of 556 and 823 for seven and simply 13 wickets within the first three days.
Now, Pakistan are seemingly able to gamble {that a} worn wicket that noticed 353.3 overs of motion prior to now week affords higher steadiness between bat and ball than a pristine one.
It might show an fascinating conundrum for Ben Stokes to resolve if the England captain returns to the facet as anticipated on Tuesday.
He seemed to be totally recovered from his torn hamstring, bowling close to full tilt in addition to working and batting at an non-compulsory internet session.
The primary indication of intrigue over the pitch got here when each groups arrived for coaching on Sunday morning, with massive industrial followers positioned at both finish of the unique pitch to hurry the drying course of after it was closely watered post-match.
Various wickets had been additionally being ready on both facet nevertheless it was the central one which was attracting essentially the most consideration.
James Anderson, England’s bowling advisor and essentially the most skilled seamer ever to play Check cricket, admitted he had by no means witnessed a transfer prefer it however urged the vacationers had been able to play wherever requested.
“All the talk around is it’s going to be that pitch again. I’ve not seen that in international cricket, no,” he stated.
“I thought there might have been a rule around not being able to do it, that you have to use a fresh pitch for international matches.
“Nevertheless it’s their determination, their situations, their residence sport. They’ll do what they need. The truth that it is the identical pitch does not decide the end result. It is as much as us to play nicely once more and cope with the situations, no matter that may be.
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Highlights of day 5 of the primary Check between Pakistan and England
“I don’t know if I’m surprised or not, really. I’m not sure how well they can prepare any different sort of pitch from the one we got last week, so probably the best way to find a result pitch is to use the same one.
“They’ve watered it and tried to restore it as greatest as potential, so we’re unsure precisely what we’ll get.”
It was harder to tell what Pakistan’s recently installed head coach Jason Gillespie made of developments, with the Australian studying conditions for over half an hour and enjoying several animated conversations.
It is not yet impossible, then, that there could be a late change of heart.
While there was minimal deterioration in the first Test, there were visible cracks opening up and the occasional sign of variable bounce.
If things do begin to break up, it could prove a very different experience to last week’s run-fest.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen labelled the Multan pitch a “bowlers’ graveyard” on X throughout the opening Check and even urged taking part in on it for a second time, although he seemed to be making a tongue-in-cheek barb slightly than a severe suggestion.
As for Stokes, he appeared lean and powerful as he labored via what amounted to a health take a look at after lacking his facet’s final 4 video games.
He’s now more likely to reclaim the reins from Ollie Pope, maybe as a alternative for all-rounder Chris Woakes.
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On reflection of their first Check win towards Pakistan, Ollie Pope joked the staff had ‘two grasping Yorkshiremen’ which noticed Joe Root and Harry Brook share a document stand of 454
“He looks great, as fit as I’ve ever seen him, and the ball’s coming out great so hopefully he’s good to go this week,” stated Anderson.
“Playing on the same pitch it could be a big week for the spinners so his workload doesn’t have to be as big as it maybe would have been if he’d need more overs under his belt.
“He brings a lot to the staff. He’s the captain, has proven over the past couple of years he’s a tremendous tactician on the sphere.”
First Check: Multan – October 7-11 – England gained by an innings and 47 runs
Second Check: Multan – October 15-19
Third Check: Rawalpindi – October 24-28
Each match from the 2024 Girls’s T20 World Cup can be reside on Sky Sports activities from October 3-20 with Australia aiming for a 3rd straight title and seventh general, and England in search of to triumph for the primary time for the reason that inaugural version in 2009.
Watch day one of many second Check between Pakistan and England in Multan, reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket and Fundamental Occasion from 5.30am on Tuesday, forward of play ranging from 6am. Stream with NOW
