England dominate day 1 of the final Test of the series- England vs Pakistan, Test 3, Day 1
The Ageas Bowl was the venue for the third and final Test in the series between England and Pakistan. England simply needed to avoid defeat to clinch the series win.
The hosts made one change from the rain hampered second Test, Jofra Archer replaced Sam Curran on his return to the team.
England’s openers once again struggled at the start of their innings. Rory Burns once again found himself out from the bowling of Shaheen. A ball outside of off stump saw him edge the ball through to slip cordon. Burns departed for 6.
Crawley and Sibley then began to accelerate the score and looked comfortable at the crease. The pair put on a partnership of 61 and looked steady at the crease. Crawley was attacking the Pakistani bowling attack, scoring freely throughout the morning and afternoon session.
However, this partnership was not to last, Sibley was out lbw off the bowling of Yasir for 22.
England Captain Joe Root came to the crease and played well in his short innings. Root played the supporting role to Crawley and looked to bat himself into the innings and into some form which has been lacking for the England captain throughout the series against the West Indies and Pakistan.
Crawley hit a beautiful drive down the ground which took him to his well-deserved half century.
Root was out after a brilliant delivery from Naseem caught the edge of his bat and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Rizwan.
England soon lost their fourth wicket of the day when Olly Pope was bowled after a brilliant ball from Yasir crept through the defence of Pope and removed the bails. There was not much that Pope could’ve done but nonetheless he departed for 4.
England’s innings looked to be on shaky ground but Buttler and Crawley stabilised the innings and began to build a fantastic partnership. Crawley and Buttler played aggressively against the Pakistan bowling attack and placed them under mass pressure.
Crawley played some beautiful shots and made his way to a fantastic maiden Test century. He looked at home at the crease, he was assured, comfortable and untroubled. It was a classy century that saw him time the ball perfectly.
Buttler soon reached his half century. It was not the quickest half century of Buttler’s first class career, but it was a superb one. Buttler who is normally known for his explosive and aggressive batting, played a controlled innings that saw him put away the bad balls. Both Crawley and Buttler never looked in any trouble.
Crawley continued to score quickly and well, he passed 150 and finished the day on 171 not out. Buttler finished the day on 77 not out. They built a partnership of 202 that firmly placed England in a great position and put Pakistan under pressure and on the back foot.
Both of the England batsman were superb, the timed the ball perfectly and controlled the pace of the game. The Pakistan bowling attack who boast a number of dangerous bowlers were made to look tame and unthreatening for the majority of the days play.
The Pakistan bowlers became desperate and their plans erratic all simply down to the brilliant innings from Crawley and his partnership with Buttler.
England will look to score quickly tomorrow and build their lead. Each batsman will look to achieve personal milestones on their way to building England’s lead. Buttler will target his century and Crawley will look to push on to a double century.
England finished the day on 332-4 and through the work of Crawley and Buttler have a strong platform that has given the hosts the control of the game.
