England struggle
England crash landed back from Planet Ashes with an unconvincing batting display on the opening day of their first tour match in Pakistan.
Only an unbeaten century from Marcus Trescothick allowed the tourists to reach the relatively respectable score of 256-9 at the close against a Patrons’ XI in Rawalpindi.
An impressive contribution lower down the order prevented the England from facing complete humiliation. Ashley Giles made 30 while Matthew Prior hit a half-century before falling to Yasir Arafat for exactly 50.
Trescothick, who ended the day on 124 not out, was the only top order batsman to reach double — let alone triple — figures. Strauss, Vaughan, Bell, Jones, Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen all failed to post decent scores.
Despite that alarming collapse, Trescothick is still confident of a successful tour. The opener said: “We’re just going to have to adapt. I think we are looking at scoring at three an over rather than four which we do in England.
If we grind out runs and get big first innings scores we will give ourselves every chance of doing well.”
Captain Michael Vaughan won the toss and decided to bat. That looked like one of his more suspect decisions by the time Geraint Jones trudged back to the dressing room with the England struggling on 60-6. Andrew Strauss was the first to go, bowled by Najaf Shah for five. Vaughan, playing despite an ear infection, fell soon after for nine.
Yasir Ali dismissed Pietersen before Arafat took three wickets in 12 balls — Collingwood, Jones and Bell his victims. Only then did the fightback begin. Trescothick and Giles put on 38 together. Shaun Udal also provided support and Prior looked in good touch.
However, his team-mates have Trescothick to thank for saving their Ashes-enhanced reputations. The Somerset man’s vigil has so far lasted 209 balls and included 16 fours plus two sixes. At the close, he admitted the decision to bat was a mistake. He said: “Looking at the toss now, we probably would not have batted first but we were 60-6 and they bowled pretty well.”