Seamers star for England in must-win third Test although Stuart Broad wary of Pakistan total
Paceman Stuart Broad was wary of assuming that momentum rested with England despite his side’s seamers starring on day one of their must-win final Test against Pakistan in Sharjah.
Needing victory to avoid a series defeat, Lancashire’s James Anderson claimed 4-17 and Broad 2-13 as Pakistan were dismissed for 234 in their first innings. England reached 4-0 from two overs at the close.
Although Moeen Ali and the recalled Samit Patel shared four wickets, England’s spin department were unable to exert a decisive influence on a pitch which suggested turn will play a significant role in proceedings.
“We’re delighted, but I don’t think anyone knows what a good score is. 240 is probably worth 280 or 290,” said Nottinghamshire’s Broad.
“From the seamers’ point of view, it was quite easy to tie the batsmen down. If we have a good day with the bat [tomorrow] it makes it an excellent day.
“Jimmy [Anderson] showed what an outstanding bowler he is, he creates chances on the flattest of wickets. Cooky [skipper Alastair Cook] classes it as a badge of honour to get through a 90-over fielding day without flagging and we’ve really taken that on.”
England’s day was marred by all-rounder Ben Stokes suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder. The 24-year-old is set to have a scan today to determine the extent of the problem, which could leave the tourists a bowler and batsman light for the remainder of the game.
“Ben has got a sling on at the moment. If he shows pain it’s generally pretty bad because he’s a tough boy,” added Broad. “We’re not sure what he can do in the rest of the match. But we have got strength in both our batting and bowling that can cover an injury.”
Defiant Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq again proved the principal thorn in England’s side with a top score of 71 before being caught by England vice-captain Joe Root in the slip cordon off the irrepressible Anderson.
His four-wicket haul took Anderson to 422 Test scalps and propelled him above South Africa’s Shaun Pollock to eighth on the all-time list. New Zealand’s Sir Richard Hadlee and his tally of 431 is the next target.
Having united at 116-5, Misbah shared a sixth-wicket stand of 80 with wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, although the severing off that partnership triggered the loss of five wickets for just 38 runs.
Misbah adopted a conservative strategy against England’s seam division but looked to attack the spinners. Between them, new-ball duo Anderson and Broad – the latter bowled 48 consecutive dot balls – returned figures of 28.1-15-29-6.
In contrast, off-spinning all-rounder Moeen, Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid and Patel, playing his first Test match since 2012 in place of rested Durham seamer Mark Wood, finished with combined figures of 4-175 from 46 overs.