Finn wants to Stop Carrying Drinks

Pakistan v England 2011-12

George Dobell in Abu Dhabi

February 8, 2012

You might expect a man on the fringes of a team - and a losing team at that - to point out the failings of his colleagues in an attempt to advance his own ambitions.

Steven Finn, however, is not that sort. While he admits to frustration at having been 12th man throughout England's Test series against Pakistan, he remains fiercely protective of his under fire colleagues, insisting this is not the time for knee-jerk reactions.

Finn came within an ace of playing in both the first two Tests of the series against Pakistan in the UAE. On the first occasion he missed out to Chris Tremlett and on the second he missed out to Monty Panesar. Panesar's subsequent success ended Finn's hopes of selection for the third Test and he was a powerless onlooker as England, their batsmen bamboozled by Pakistan's spin attack, succumbed to a 3-0 whitewash.

"In terms of having to change personnel, I don't think we need that kind of knee-jerk reactions at the moment," Finn said. "The side has been very, very successful over the last two years with the personnel who played in this series. There's no doubt we have the best people available in the country playing in the team, we just didn't adapt to the conditions as quickly as we'd have hoped.

"The bowlers did a fantastic job during this Test series. Obviously I wanted to play every game and I was disappointed that I didn't, but that's the way it goes.

"I'm getting very good at mixing drinks for the boys. I've sort of got used to it over the last 12 months. But it's not the sort of thing you enjoy getting used to."

The worry for England is that they have lost nine of their last ten international games. It is a run that extends back to the final Twenty20 international game against West Indies in September and includes the tour of India, the current tour of the UAE and all three formats of the game.

While their Test form has been, until recently, good, their ODI form away from home has been wretched. They lost all five ODIs against India in October and have lost 14 of their last 20 ODIs outside England. There are few realistic grounds for optimism going into the ODI series against Pakistan.

But Finn was one of the few successes of England's limited-overs tour of India. Not only did he take the most wickets of any English bowler - eight - but he also proved the most economical, conceding 5.27 runs an overs. He bowled at a sharp pace and showed a newly acquired ability to reverse swing the ball. Aged just 22, he is one of England's brightest prospects.

Now he hopes that he can be part of a fresh injection of young talent into an England camp that is looking to the future and the World Cup in Australasia in particular. In Finn, along with new additions Jos Buttler (aged 21), Danny Briggs (aged 20), and the likes of recently capped Jonny Bairstow (aged 22), England hope they have the nucleus of a bright, young side that can lead the team to brighter times.

"This one-day team is a very youthful, very exciting place to be," Finn said. "The guys coming in, the fresh faces, are going to be very enthusiastic to show what they can do.

"They're very skilled players as well, so they're going to be breathing down the necks of the guys in the team. I think this one-day series is going to be a great opportunity for us to put what's gone under the carpet."

Finn also feels that Friday's game against England Lions will present an excellent opportunity for young players to catch the eye of the England management. While Andy Flower, the England coach, has confirmed that Lions players will not be promoted to the senior squad irrespective of performances in the game, Finn knows from experience that such games can provide a useful 'shop window.'

It was in the same stadium in Abu Dhabi in February 2010 that Finn, along with Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb, were part of a Lions side that beat England. On the strength of that performance, Kieswetter and Lumb were selected as the opening partnership for the World Twenty20 while Finn wasn't far behind in a call up.

"Friday's game is going to be important for everyone, on either of the two sides," Finn said. "There's great opportunity for people on both sides to push for places in every format of the game. If you look at Kieswetter and Lumb, they played against the England team over here two years ago, the next month they were opening the batting in the World Twenty20. I played in that game, too, and less than a month later, I was playing Test cricket.

"Andy Flower and the management team are looking for people's attitudes; they're looking for things other than just performances - and games like this are a great opportunity for people on both sides to show everything they can give."

The Lions team will contain all the members of the senior England squad who do not make it into the main England side for Friday's match.

Meanwhile Andy Hurry, the first team coach at Somerset, has joined the England party to deputise for Richard Halsall, the fielding coach and Flower's unofficial deputy, who has returned to England to be with his heavily pregnant wife.

England are also looking into the possibility of some of their players - notably Ian Bell, who has been left out of the limited-overs squads - travelling to Sri Lanka ahead of the rest of the party to acclimatise to the pitches and conditions. It is possible that Bell will be able to represent a local side in Sri Lankan domestic competition, as have the likes of Varun Chopra and Moeen Ali in recent weeks.

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Bell's One-Day Career is Not Over - Flower

Pakistan v England 2011-12

George Dobell

February 7, 2012

Andy Flower has insisted Ian Bell's limited-overs international career is not over, despite the batsman having been omitted from the England squad to face Pakistan in four ODIs and three T20Is in the UAE.

Bell, a 29-year-old veteran of 108 ODIs, has been left out as England offer opportunities to younger men such as Jos Buttler, the Somerset batsman, and Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow as England seek to improve their modest limited-overs form away from home of 12 wins in 38 matches since December 2005. Bell has passed 50 only once in his last 14 ODI innings and had looked uncomfortable against Saeed Ajmal's spin in the recently concluded Test series.

"Ian Bell is a very fine player, who has had a hard time in this Test series and hasn't had that many chances recently in one-day cricket for us," Flower said. "I spoke to him yesterday about the one-day situation and he was very mature in his acceptance of it.

"What I did say to him was that this doesn't mean that his one-day career is necessarily over. He's not too old to fight his way back into the side. He's a very fine international cricketer. It depends how this group of players play and whether any gaps open up in the future. If he can fight his way back in, then good on him."

It is not the first time that Bell has been dropped. After the debacle of Jamaica in February 2009, when England were bowled out for just 51, Bell was omitted from the Test side until July of that year and did not reappear in the ODI side until July 2010.

He may also have suffered for England's surfeit of players of a similar tempo. With Jonathan Trott having scored prolifically at No. 3 and Alastair Cook having been appointed captain, Bell had been out of position at No. 6. While Bell is as sweet a timer of the ball as anyone in the team, his style is not best suited to the somewhat more agricultural requirements of the last overs of an ODI innings, as a strike-rate of 73.31 suggests.

Flower also confirmed Kevin Pietersen will open the batting for England. Pietersen, who batted at No. 4 in recent times, has not made a score of 80 or more since November 2008 and has only passed 50 three times in 34 innings. One of those half-centuries came during a four-match spell during the World Cup when he opened the batting. In those four games he averaged 32.75 at a strike-rate of 96.32.

"He is going to be opening the batting for us in this series and that should be really exciting to watch," Flower said. "We started with him in that position in the World Cup and unfortunately he got injured and had to go home early. But he showed glimpses of what he could do.

"He's a very, very fine cricketer - a very dangerous cricketer - and someone we'd like to give the option of facing as many balls as possible in the limited-overs game. If he stays in long enough, he will win games for us in that position.

"It hasn't worked out well for him at No. 4 recently, but I'm really excited to see him embrace the challenge of opening."

In order to help England's batsmen prepare for the further trial by spin they anticipate in the limited-overs games, Monty Panesar will remain with the squad for another week. It is anticipated Pakistan will field four spinners in their ODI side, meaning England's batsmen may face as many as 40 overs of spin per innings.

Flower also reflected on the 3-0 whitewash Pakistan inflicted upon England in the Test series. It was the first series England had played since they assumed the No. 1 Test ranking. Flower admitted he was disappointed with the performance of the batsmen but expressed his confidence in their ability to resolve their problems against spin bowling.

"The batsmen are lower in confidence after the Test series against this type of bowling, so it will be a serious challenge for us. I expect better things from the batsmen, and I really expect to see us improve with our knowledge and method of how to combat their spin.

"Of course, there is a cut-off line where it would be stupid to continue along the same path if it's not being successful. In the main, I don't think we're there with this group of players.

"This is not a closed shop - everyone's aware of that - but this group of batsmen have done an outstanding job for England and have very good international records over the past few years."

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England Announcrd ODI and T20 Squad against Pakistan, Ian Bell Dropped

Pakistan v England 2011-12

George Doorbell

February 7, 2012

Jos Buttler and Danny Briggs have been named in England's limited-overs squads to face Pakistan in the UAE. The pair, both of whom are uncapped in ODI cricket, have been included in the squad that will play four ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals.

Ian Bell, however, was omitted from the squad. Bell had passed 50 only once in his last 14 ODI innings and had looked uncomfortable against Saeed Ajmal's spin in the recently concluded Test series. It is entirely possible that Bell, aged 29 and a veteran of 108 ODIs, has played his last limited-overs match for England.

Buttler, a 21-year-old from Somerset, has been in good form recently for England Lions. He struck two centuries and a half-century in his last five innings against Sri Lanka A, including one century from just 56 deliveries. He broke into England's Twenty20 side towards the end of the English season after impressing in several important games - notably the CB40 final and the FPt20 quarter-final. He is seen as having the big-match temperament and the big-hitting game to prove a destructive ODI player. He can also keep wicket.

Briggs, a 20-year-old left-arm spinner from Hampshire, is one of three spinners in the 16-man squad. A bowler who relies more on control than any extravagant turn, England hope Briggs proves well-suited to the slow, low pitches anticipated in the UAE.

Tim Bresnan, who has just rejoined the England squad, having earlier returned to England for further treatment on an elbow injury that required surgery at the start of December, is also included subject to further fitness tests.

Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales will join the squad for the Twenty20 leg of the tour, with Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott returning to England. Stuart Broad is the captain of England's Twenty20 side that will be looking to retain their World Twenty20 title in Sri Lanka in September.

England's National Selector, Geoff Miller, said: "We have selected two squads that include both experienced international players and younger players who have performed strongly for England Lions in recent months and deserve an opportunity to further test themselves against quality opposition. Playing against Pakistan in the UAE will be challenging but it is important that these players continue to develop their skills so that we are able to make strides in limited-overs cricket particularly on the subcontinent."

England have a mixed ODI record. While their home form remains impressive - they won series against both World Cup finalists, India and Sri Lanka, at home in 2011 - their away form is grim. They lost all five matches against India in October and 14 of their last 20 outside England. They have won just five and tied the other.

Their record in Asia is even more gruesome. Since December 12, 2005, England have won just 12 of 38 ODIs in Asia and four of those victories came against Bangladesh and the Netherlands. Pakistan, by contrast, have won 12 of their last 13 ODIs and 23 of their last 30. England, however, have won five of the last seven ODI meetings between the sides.

In a bid to improve the tempo of England's batting, Kevin Pietersen will be given another opportunity to open the innings, with Craig Kieswetter dropping down to bat at No. 5. While England hope Pietersen can exploit the powerplay overs, after a brief experiment at the World Cup before his injury, Kieswetter is also seen as an accomplished hitter of the older, softer ball. Both may require productive series to silence their critics.

Kieswetter has only passed 50 once in his last 24 ODIs, while Pietersen has not made a score of 80 or more since November 2008.

Indeed, in that period, he has only passed 50 three times in 34 innings. But England have invested a lot of time in both of them and would be loathe to change tactics now.

England will warm-up for the series by taking on England Lions on Friday, before the ODI series begins in Abu Dhabi on February 13.

England ODI Squad: Alastair Cook (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter (wk), Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott

England Twenty20 Squad: Stuart Broad (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Craig Kieswetter (wk), Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann

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England Must Learn How to Play in Asia - Strauss

Pakistan v England, 3rd test, Dubai, 4th day

George Dobell in Dubai

February 6, 2012

Andrew Strauss has warned that England must learn the lessons of their 3-0 series whitewash at the hands of Pakistan or face more misery in Asian conditions.

England's 71-run loss in the third Test in Dubai condemned them to a 3-0 defeat in their first series since officially becoming ranked the No. 1 Test team. It was also the first series whitewash England had suffered since the 5-0 Ashes loss of 2006-07 and only the seventh in their history. With a two-Test tour to Sri Lanka coming up next month and a tour of India before Christmas, Strauss knows England have to improve in these conditions if they are to retain any hope of remaining the top-ranked side.

Strauss, England's Test captain, admitted that his team would do some "soul searching" over the coming days but insisted they would conduct a full debrief before making any decisions over the future of certain players. The positions of Ian Bell (who averaged 8.5 in the series), Kevin Pietersen (11.16) and Eoin Morgan (13.66) are all likely to come under scrutiny after England succumbed to their first series defeat since they lost to the West Indies in early 2009 and the first since Andy Flower was appointed to the position of permanent coach.

"We can't ignore this result and just say it's an aberration," Strauss said. "That would not help us. This was an eye-opener and a wake-up call and with two more tours on the subcontinent coming up, things won't get easier. We have to be up for this challenge.

"We have to look at the reasons we lost. We have to look at our preparation, our training, our techniques and our temperament. It would be wrong for us to ignore these things, but we also need to remain true to what has worked well in the past.

"No-one has a right to play for England forever. It would be patently wrong for us to think like that. But we also need to take time to let the dust settle. We need to look at what went wrong individually. Hopefully over the next week or two, things will become clearer.

"I have great faith in our batsmen," Strauss continued. "I think they are some of best be in world, but I am disappointed we haven't coped better. I haven't been involved in a series where so many batsmen have had a hard time. We all have some questions to answer and soul searching into how we can do things better. There was a consistent failure on our part. If you keep getting bowled out for 140 or 150 you're not going to win many Test matches. We could and should have been better."

Andy Flower, the England coach, suggested the long lay-off his players had enjoyed before the series might have been a contributory factor to the result. Before this tour England had not played Test cricket since the series against India finished in August last year and no cricket at all since the limited-overs series in October.

"Looking back now, I don't think we were ready," Flower said. "I shoulder that side of the blame because it was my decision to give them that time off. We won't let that happen again.

"We spent a couple of months out of the game and not doing a lot while Pakistan were beating Sri Lanka and working hard to beat Bangladesh and that hardened them up for this contest. Certainly during that rest time, our team and support staff were all being lauded and, while that was happening, Pakistan were working hard at their game and beating international opposition. Consequently one side was sharp and ready and one side wasn't and we've got to do something about that."

Flower also expressed his faith in the batting line-up, but confessed he was surprised at how they had struggled in the series. "We do have a lot of faith in our players and that faith has been justified over a long period of time," he said. "But we've obviously underperformed here badly. I've been surprised by how poorly we've batted.

"We have to take the lessons that have been learned here and improve our skills and improve out method for the Sri Lanka tour. A number of our big players have underperformed in this series. It was the first time that so many of our established Test crickets were out of runs and not feeling as confident as they usually do and not as clear in their method as they usually are."

Misbah-ul-Haq, meanwhile, said the whitewashing of England has sent "a strong message that the Pakistan team are back in cricket."

Pakistan's captain hailed his side's "wonderful achievement" after leading them to victory in the third Test. It was the fifth time that Pakistan had achieved a whitewash in a series of three matches or more.

Victory was especially sweet for Misbah given the context in which the series was played. The previous time these teams met, in 2010, the series was soured by allegations of corruption that subsequently led to three of the Pakistan team receiving jail sentences. The episode tarnished the reputation of Pakistan cricket and forced the side to rebuild with a new captain and several new players. Now, however, Misbah feels Pakistan cricket is in the news for the right reasons.

"We showed that we are a power in the cricketing world again," Misbah said. "Now is the time to give importance to the Pakistan team again. It is a wonderful thing for us. I can't describe in words how important this series was for our team.

"We just came out of such problems. But the way we have come out and the way we are progressing is wonderful. Everyone was ignoring us, but now they have to look at Pakistan cricket."

Pakistan, who were dismissed for just 99 on the first day of this game, also became the first team since 1907 to win a Test after being bowled out for under 100 in the first innings. Pakistan responded by limited England's first innings lead to 42, before centuries from Azhar Ali and Younis Khan seized the initiative for the hosts.

"Our bowlers did a wonderful job," Misbah said. "They cut down the lead and we knew that, if we were only behind by 100 on the first innings, we were still in the game. Then Azhar Ali and Younis Khan batted wonderfully. Their batting was the main thing that brought us back into the game."

Having proved their potency in these conditions, Misbah agreed that his team would be defined by their success overseas. "That's another challenge," Misbah said, "but this team loves challenges. We have it in our mind. We are focused on proving ourselves outside Pakistan.

"If you saw us in New Zealand, though, you would know we can do it. Conditions there were not easy for our team, but we performed well there and in the West Indies. We are looking forward to playing in South Africa and Australia and we will start our preparation now."

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England Face Tough Task as Pakistan in Command on Day 3 of 3rd Test

Pakistan v England, 3rd Test, Dubai, 3rd day

The Report by David Hopps

February 5, 2012

Stumps England 141 and 36 for 0 (Strauss 19*, Cook 15*) need 288 runs to beat Pakistan 99 and 365 (Azhar 157, Younis 127, Panesar 5-124)

A monumental innings by Azhar Ali, a dutiful and occasionally becalmed affair spanning nearly nine hours, has left England requiring a daunting 324 for victory in the third Test. Azhar's highest first-class score, 157 from 442 balls, was an impressive feat of patience and skill and presented England with a final batting examination against Pakistan's spinners, a task they have flunked throughout the series.

England at least survived their initial reconnaissance. There were few devils in the 20 overs up to the close, although Alastair Cook was badly dropped in Umar Gul's second over by Taufeeq Umar at third slip. Pakistan also lost a review after Mohammad Hafeez's lbw appeal against Andrew Strauss was turned down.

For much of the third day, this was a drowsy Dubai Sunday. When the Test suddenly sprung into life before tea, with England's spinners taking the last seven wickets for 34 runs in 22.2 overs, England did not know whether to laugh or cry. As the ball began to turn and spit on a worn, dry surface, each wicket felt like the harbinger of the batting challenges to come.

Without Azhar's marathon effort, England might have had realistic ambitions of salvaging a consolation victory. Graeme Swann, who dropped him low down at first slip on 84 off James Anderson, will have felt more disconsolate than most. Azhar finally fell to Swann at short leg. Cook has stood there throughout the series without so much as a sniff, but he held a low catch to end an innings that had pronounced Azhar as a young batsman of high calibre.

Younis Khan added only 12 to his overnight 115 before he fell lbw to the deserving Stuart Broad, but Azhar followed up Younis' hundred with one of his own. He resumed on 75 and pressed on doggedly. His first boundary of the morning, a delicate sweep against Graeme Swann took him to 98 before he unleashed a resounding square cut against Monty Panesar to reach his second Test century.

As the lead crept ahead, so did the lbws. Five Pakistan batsmen fell to leg before decisions, four to Panesar. That took the total to 41 in the series and counting. It is a record for a three-Test series and only two below the overall record.

Panesar finished with another five wickets, aching limbs and his reputation rebuilt . Much of the afternoon had been a stalemate as Panesar persevered into the rough outside Misbah-ul-Haq's leg stump, and Misbah appeared immovable. England tossed away their second review in desperation as Misbah survived Panesar's lbw appeal by virtue of a thin inside edge. But he fell that way eventually, as he has five times in the series, his own review failing to spare him.

Panesar then prospered. Asad Shafiq was lbw on the back leg, sweeping, and Adnan Akmal was bowled for nought by one that turned. Panesar's celebrations, once so excitable, are now so strangely matter-of-fact that perhaps it is time to take a look in the doctor's medical bag.

When Swann removed Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal courtesy of slip catches by James Anderson - the second one a cracking effort, a steer to his right from Ajmal that he anticipated brilliantly - it brought Swann rare satisfaction and served only to deepen England's sense of foreboding.

It has been a tough series for Swann. He has a great career record against Pakistan left-handers, but there are only two of them in this series and Taufeeq has often been dismissed before he has come on. Swann has been largely overshadowed as he has remained loyal to the methods that have served him well, flight and a line outside off stump, while other spinners have bowled straighter and quicker in a rewarding search for lbws.

Pakistan were threatening to defy cricket history. No side in 105 years has won after making fewer than 100 in the first innings of a Test, a feat last achieved by England against South Africa at Headingley in 1907.

Even that achievement required assistance from the elements. Colin Blythe, the revered Kent left-arm spinner, loved nothing better than a wet pitch and he took 15 wickets as Leeds drizzled loyally upon him. There was little point in Panesar and Swann gazing to the heavens in the hope of a sudden downpour, not in these parts.

Early in the day, umpire Steve Davis' lbw decision against Younis was upheld on review, but it was the most marginal of calls, as was Kevin Pietersen's on the opening day, and emphasised that the umpires in this series have been emboldened by DRS into giving borderline decisions that they might normally have turned down. The umpires' margin of error that is built into DRS meant that on both occasions the umpire would have been right whatever he ruled. Both Younis and Pietersen were adjudged to be out when Hawk-Eye predicted that the ball would have shaved the stumps so lightly that the bail might not even have fallen. The umpires have all become outers.

The best umpires throughout the years tended before the advent of DRS to allow a small margin of error in favour of the batsman, judging that a not-out decision was the safest if there was an element of doubt. Hawk-Eye has not only removed that doubt, and the inbuilt margin of error, intended to protect the umpire's authority, has meant in this series that batsmen have, in effect, defended bigger stumps - taller by the width of a ball, and wider by the width of a ball on both stumps. It is a concern, but it is no reason to abandon the system.

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Briggs and Buttler in Line For England ODI Squad against Pakistan

Pakistan v England 2011-12

George Dobell

February 5, 2012

England are set to shake-up their ODI squad for the four-match series against Pakistan that starts in Abu Dhabi on February 13. Someset's Jos Buttler and Danny Briggs of Hampshire could earn a call-up to the ODI squad for the first time.

Buttler, 21, has been in good form recently for England Lions. He and 20-year-old Briggs are the players most likely to win a call-up to the squad, while Ian Bell may pay the price for England's limited-overs failings. Bell has passed 50 only once in his last 14 ODI innings and has looked distinctly uncomfortable against Saeed Ajmal's spin bowling in the current Test series. James Anderson is also far from certain to be included.

England have two aims: to improve their chequered ODI form and build a side that can challenge for the World Cup in Australasia in early 2015. But those aims may not be completely compatible with England likely to include a third spinner for this series in conditions that will differ markedly from those anticipated at the World Cup.

England have a mixed ODI record. While their home form remains impressive - they won series against both World Cup finalists, India and Sri Lanka, at home in 2011 - their away form is grim. They lost all five matches against India in October and 14 of their last 20 outside England. They have won just five and tied the other.

Their record in Asia is even more gruesome. Since December 12, 2005, England have won just 12 of 38 ODIs in Aisa and four of those victories came against Bangladesh and the Netherlands.

Buttler struck two centuries in his last four innings for the Lions against Sri Lanka A, including one from 56 deliveries. He broke into England's T20 side towards the end of the English season after impressing in several important games - notably the CB40 final and the FPt20 quarter-final. He is seen as having the big-match temperament and the big-hitting game to prove a destructive ODI player. And can also keep wicket.

The squad is also likely to contain at least three spinners with Briggs the most likely to join Graeme Swann and Samit Patel. The legspinner Scott Borthwick, with his extra batting ability, is another possibility, though Briggs' superior control gives him an edge. Moeen Ali, who is currently playing domestic cricket in for Moors Sports Club in Sri Lanka, would be another option.

Monty Panesar is also an outside bet to win a recall. He played the last of his 26 ODIs in 2007 but he is bowling well with 14 wickets in two Tests and, aged just 29, should still be fit in 2015.

In a bid to improve the tempo of England's batting, Kevin Pietersen is likely to be given another opportunity to open the innings, with Craig Kieswetter dropping down to bat at No. 5. While England hope Pietersen can exploit the Powerplay overs, Kieswetter is also seen as an accomplished hitter of the older, softer ball.

Both may require productive series to silence their critics. Kieswetter has only passed 50 once in his last 24 ODIs, while Pietersen has not made a score of 80 or more since November 2008. Indeed, in that period, he has only passed 50 three times in 34 innings. But England have invested a lot of time in both of them and would be loathe to change tactics now.

The likes of Steven Davies, James Taylor and Joe Root are also vying for places but Tom Maynard and Jason Roy have experienced difficult Lions tours and may have to wait a little longer for an opportunity.

England (possible): Alastair Cook (capt), Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Eoin Morgan, Craig Kieswetter (wkt), Samit Patel, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn, Jonny Bairstow, Jade Dernbach, Danny Briggs, Ravi Bopara.

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Bresnan to Rejoin England Squad in UAE

Pakistan v England 2011-12

ESPNcricinfo staff

February 5, 2012

England allrounder Tim Bresnan will fly back to the UAE after on Sunday after passing a fitness tests in the UK. Bresnan will play the one-day warm-up match against England Lions in Abu Dhabi on February 10 as match practice ahead of the one-day series that begins three days later.

Bresnan, 26, underwent surgery for an elbow injury in early December, but suffered discomfort when bowling in the nets at the start of England's tour of the UAE. It was decided to send him home before the Test series against Pakistan began. He underwent a fitness test at Headingley on Thursday.

The squad is scheduled to be named towards the end of the third Test between England and Pakistan currently taking place in Dubai. England are scheduled to play four ODIs and three T20Is in the UAE.

Bresnan last played in England's T20 win over India in Calcutta. He has been on the winning side in all 10 Tests he has played.

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England Players Miss Out on IPL 2012 Auction

IPL 2012 auction

ESPNcricinfo staff

February 4, 2012

Not one of the five current England cricketers on sale in the IPL auction were sold. The only players from the current England squad who will play in the fifth season of the IPL are Kevin Pietersen - who was transferred to the Delhi Daredevils for a reported US$2million - Eoin Morgan, who is part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad and Stuart Broad, who was bought by Kings XI Punjab in 2011.

James Anderson, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, Ian Bell and Ravi Bopara did not attract any bids. Chris Tremlett had been included in the auction list but withdrew after flying home from England's tour of the UAE with an injury.

The news will be welcomed by the England management who wanted maximum time for England's players to rest after their tour of Sri Lanka, which ends on April 7, and prepare for the start of the international summer, which begins on May 17 against West Indies at Lord's.

Anderson hoped to use the IPL to press his claim for a recall to England's Twenty20 side ahead of the World Twenty20 in September, but his base price of $300,000 was too much to attract any interest. He last played Twenty20 cricket for England in 2009 and spoke out at players not being given more opportunities to develop their T20 skills.

Pietersen was transferred to the Daredevils from the Deccan Chargers before the auction. He will join India batsman Virender Sehwag and Australia's David Warner for the fifth season of the IPL. He was first signed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009 for $1.55 million but when the players we re-auctioned in 2011, Pietersen saw his price tag fall to $650,000. Morgan, on the other hand, saw his price increase in the 2011 auction, when the Knight Riders bought him for $350,000. He had been the only England player to be handed a new contract before the 2010 season, when the Royal Challengers signed him for $220,000. Broad was bought for $400,000 by Kings XI in 2011.

Former England internationals Owais Shah - who played for the Cape Cobras in the Champions League in September - and Luke Wright - who turned out for the Melbourne Stars in Australia's Big Bash League, scoring a hundred from 44 balls against Hobart - were not bought. Ireland's Kevin O'Brien also missed out in Saturday's auction.

12:08 GMT, February 4: This story has been corrected to include the fact that Eoin Morgan will play for the Kolkata Knight Riders and Stuart Broad will turn out for Kings XI Punjab in the 2012 IPL

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Wickets Tumble on Day 1 of Pakistan-England 3rd Test at Dubai

Pakistan v England, 3rd Test, Dubai, 1st day

The Report by David Hopps

February 3, 2012

England 104 for 6 (Strauss 41*, Rehman 3-23) lead Pakistan 99 (Shafiq 45, Broad 4-36) by 5 runs

England's batting has been so ineffably weak in this Test series that even the sight of a Pakistan side bundled out for 99 was not about to fill them with resolve. Where once they were steadfast now they are overwrought. All logic suggested they should have ended the opening day of the third Test in a position of authority but logic left this series long ago.

It is the first time that Test cricket has been played in winter in the UAE and the pitches have been enlivened from their usual moribund state as a result but not remotely to the extent that the scores suggest. Every day brings something more bizarre. This should not by any stretch of the imagination have been a 16-wicket day.

Pakistan avoided their lowest Test score against England thanks only to 45 from Asad Shafiq, the one batsman to pass muster as England's new-ball pair, Stuart Broad and James Anderson, made full use of encouraging conditions. Pakistan began the final Test imagining they could whitewash England in a Test series for the first time. It is quite something to be dismissed for fewer than 100 on a decent-enough surface and still be in the match.

An England innings has become something fantastical. The DRS has sapped their resolve. It was introduced to reduce umpiring mistakes, and it has achieved its purpose, but in this series at least, it has shifted the balance of the game fundamentally. Umpires in this series are giving most marginal calls to the bowler, too many marginal calls. Batsmen are confused about their technique and spinners are bowling straight and imagining themselves as superheroes. It will right itself in time; the authorities are not fond of three-day Tests.

This series has already produced more lbws than in any three-Test series in history - 35 and counting. There were eight umpiring reviews and the Australian Simon Taufel, who has mused about retirement more than once, had an uncomfortable day as he had several decisions overturned.

Almost unnoticed, Andrew Strauss reached the close of a bewildering day unbeaten on 41, an England captain labouring to add a major batting contribution to his undoubted leadership qualities. Overlook a flirt with a sweep or two and he stood alongside Shafiq and Kevin Pietersen as the most secure batsmen on an insecure day.

Memories of England's batting debacles in the first two Tests must have preyed on Alastair Cook's mind as he fell to the sort of hesitant jab against Umar Gul that Australia, in England's victorious Ashes series barely a year ago, must have dreamed of. Gul also had Trott lbw: a dodgy decision by the umpire, Steve Davis, which England failed to review.

Then came the curiosities. Kevin Pietersen looked in good trim but fell to left-arm spin once more, a marginal decision that might have been designed to taunt his pre-match assertion that his record against this type of bowler was "not a train crash". Ian Bell was out to Saeed Ajmal for the fourth series, straying out of his crease and stumped fortuitously by Adnan Akmal off a blur of pads and gloves - that is how his brother Kamran used to do it. Eoin Morgan, his reputation as a good player of spin now in tatters, was trapped on the back foot by a quicker, flatter one. And finally Matt Prior, desperate not to be struck on the pads, was bowled by one that turned.

Pakistan were no better. By drinks on the first morning, England had five Pakistan wickets; shortly after drinks came round again in the afternoon they had them all. This was far from a fast bowlers' feast but Broad, England's outstanding player of the series, and Anderson made full use of a little swing and some unexpected bounce.

Broad's new-ball return of 3 for 12 in six overs included two overturned decisions for Taufel as England successfully resorted to DRS. The dismissal of Mohammad Hafeez was the most controversial of the day.

England were searching for a lbw decision but there seemed to be little conclusive evidence to overturn Taufel's decision. Indeed those blessed with the eyes of a hawk and high-definition TVs insisted there was a slight mark on hot spot that should have reprieved Hafeez. Shavir Tarapore, the third umpire from India in his fourth Test, gave him out, causing Hafeez to slap his bat in unconcealed disgust.

In the seconds a fielding side has to decide on a review, the captain, Andrew Strauss, mentally dons a business suit, calls a meeting, studies a report, draws conclusions and lays out a systematic process. The sense is of clipboards, posh pens and PowerPoint presentations. Misbah tries to do the same for Pakistan but he is a bit short of reliable middle management.

In England in 2010, Pakistan collapsed for 72, 76 and 80, three batting disasters at Edgbaston, Lord's and Trent Bridge that count among their eight lowest Test scores in history. They no longer had to contend with a surly English summer but they did face the debilitating effect of a series already secured.

Their collapse began in the first over, Taufeeq Umar defeated by Anderson's inswinger. There were few demons in the ball from Broad that dismissed Azhar and Younis Khan's jab at a wide, rising ball, even allowing for the unexpected steepness of the bounce: another poor shot in a career nearing its end.

Misbah and Adnan, who should also have been run out by Morgan, both turned to DRS without success to try to stem the flow of wickets. Rehman's slog at Graeme Swann, in his solitary over, was the worst batting moment on a day replete with them. Shafiq was ninth out, trying to cut Panesar and getting struck on the pad in front of middle.

For Pakistan the morning had brought back bad memories of their first Test in the UAE. Against Australia in Sharjah ten years ago they were dismissed for 53 and 59 - their two lowest Test scores. Misbah, Taufeeq and Younis were all in the top six then. In some ways little has changed in Pakistan cricket. In other, more significant ways, everything has changed.

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Bresnan Could Rejoin England Squad in UAE For ODIs and T20s against Pakistan

Pakistan v England 2011-12

George Dobell in Dubai

February 3, 2012

Tim Bresnan could rejoin the England squad in the UAE within the next 48 hours if he passes an extensive fitness test.

Bresnan, 26, underwent surgery on an elbow injury in early December, but suffered discomfort when bowling in the nets at the start of England's tour of the UAE and it was decided to send him home before the Test series against Pakistan began. He underwent a fitness test at Headingley on Thursday and will have another on Friday to ascertain how he has recovered and whether he is up to the rigours of international cricket.

If he is deemed to have come through those tests successfully, Bresnan could fly back to the UAE as early as Saturday. He will then bowl in the nets in front of the England management before any decision is made over his inclusion in the squads for the limited-overs leg of the tour. The squad is scheduled to be named towards the end of the third Test between England and Pakistan currently taking place in Dubai. England are scheduled to play four ODIs and three T20Is in the UAE.

The news will also boost England's hopes of including Bresnan in the squad that plays two Tests in Sri Lanka from March 26. That squad will not be named until nearer the end of the current tour of the UAE.

Bresnan has become a fixture of the side in all three formats of the game. England have won all ten of the Tests in which he has played and his batting ability also offers them the potential of playing a five-man bowling attack with Matt Prior batting at six and Bresnan - who averages 45 in Test cricket - at seven.

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England Desperate For Improved Performance in 3rd Test Tomorrow at Dubai

Pakistan v England, 3rd Test, Dubai

The Preview by Alex Winter

February 2, 2012

Match facts
February 3-7, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Start time 10:00 (06:00 GMT)

Big Picture

England came to the UAE as the No. 1 Test side but are in danger of losing that status in their first series since reaching the top of the rankings. Another defeat in Dubai, and a whitewash by South Africa of New Zealand, would see South Africa replace England: a scenario made possible by England's failure to chase 145 in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan are plotting their own route to No. 1 and completing a 3-0 win would be a major step along that path. They will be hoping for another pitch that assists their spinners just enough to trouble England, and perhaps one which hinders the tourists' seamers - the one area where England can claim supremacy in the series.

Pakistan have never completed a series whitewash outside Pakistan so history beckons for this group of players if they can win again.

Many expected high-scoring draws from this series but the reality has been anything but. The bowlers' dominance has produced two fascinating matches so anticipate another intriguing encounter, with England's ability to deal with the Pakistan spin barrage holding the key to the result.

Form guide

Pakistan: WWWWD
England: LLWWW

Players to watch

Saeed Ajmal is the kingmaker in this match. He has plunged England to new depths and has doubts firmly planted at the front of the batsmen's minds. If the tourists can find a way to overcome his psychological hold - as Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott briefly managed in Abu Dhabu - they may find a way to save face.

Team news

Ian Bell has recovered from a stomach illness as England look set to stick with the same team from Abu Dhabi. Pakistan have to decide whether to retain Junaid Khan as the second seamer, replace him with Wahab Riaz or bring Aizaz Cheema, who was injured after the first Test, back into the side.

Pakistan (probable) 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Taufeeq Umar, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Adnan Akmal (wk), 8 Abdur Rehman, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Junaid Khan.

England (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Ian Bell, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Monty Panesar.

Pitch and conditions

The pitch for the first Test offered a little assistance to the bowlers but this surface is brand new, never been used. There is less grass on this pitch, with Misbah saying: "It looks an even better wicket than the first Test, especially for batting." This could finally be the run-fest we were expecting before the start of the series.

Stats and trivia

Fifty of 70 wickets in the series have fallen to spinners.
There have only been six dismissals via catches at slip.
Saeed Ajmal moved up to the No. 2 bowler in the world after taking 7 for 130 in the second Test.
England's 72 in Abu Dhabi was their lowest Test score in Asia.
England's middle-order trio of Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and Eoin Morgan have contributed 94 runs at 7.83 in the series.

Quotes

"We're not going to get too caught up in the downward spiral, but obviously we need to learn the lessons from where we have gone wrong."
Andrew Strauss, the England captain, reflects on his side's previous two defeats.

"Mistakes are bound to happen. I tried my best to bat for longer but, once in a while, such a rush of blood will happen."
Asad Shafiq, the Pakistan batsman, on his rash shot in the first innings in Abu Dhabi

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Tremlett Out From Cricket For Three Months

England news

George Dobell

February 2, 2012

Chris Tremlett is facing a lengthy break from the game after specialists decided his back injury requires surgery. He will now miss England's tour to Sri Lanka at the end of March.

After experiencing a recurrence of back pain bowling in the first Test in Dubai, Tremlett flew home from England's tour of the UAE last week. He had not played since July when he was forced out of the Test series against India with the same problem. He subsequently underwent a long period of rest and recuperation but the strain of bowling in a match situation appears to have exacerbated the injury.

Tremlett will hope to regain his fitness with Surrey ahead of the start of England's home season against West Indies in May.

He said on Twitter that he had seen a specialist and may face three months on the sidelines: "Scans reveal a bulging disc and may require a little clean up. Hopefully back playing mid to end of April."

Until injury intervened, Tremlett had enjoyed a fine return to Test cricket. Recalled to the team ahead of the third Test of the 2010-11 Ashes, Tremlett took 36 wickets in his next seven Tests including 17 in three Tests against Australia.

But now aged 30 this new setback will renew concerns over whether his 6ft 7in frame can withstand the rigours of fast bowling in Test cricket.

England have decided against calling up a replacement for Tremlett to their Test squad in the UAE. He was the second bowler forced to return home after Tim Bresnan, who underwent elbow surgery at the start of December. Bresnan has subsequently started bowling again in Yorkshire.

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Bell Fit as England Look to Restore Confidence

Pakistan v England, 3rd Test, Dubai

George Dobell in Dubai

February 2, 2012

Andrew Strauss has warned his England teammates they are playing for their places in the final Test of the series against Pakistan in Dubai.

Pakistan have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series, with several England batsmen enduring miserable tours. Strauss (17), Eoin Morgan (10.25), Ian Bell (9) and Kevin Pietersen (4.25) are all averaging under 20 in the two Tests and have been largely at fault as England's batting has struggled in three of the four innings.

"You can't keep underperforming forever," Strauss said. "All of us have a responsibility to improve our games. I'm a strong believer that no-one is guaranteed their place in the England side. The environment only works if there is pressure on your for your place, so we all have to work very hard for the next five days."

Despite Strauss' words, it is far from certain that England will make any changes for this game. While there is a temptation to bring in Ravi Bopara for Eoin Morgan - Bopara's medium-pace bowling gives the Essex player an edge in that regard - the England management have invested a lot of time and faith in Morgan. The continuity of selection policy has served them well and they are loathe to drop a player they feel has the character to flourish at this level. Morgan did make a Test century against India only four Tests ago and the management signalled their liking for him by appointing him vice-captain of the T20 side. Similarly, England are not about to forget about the excellent months that Pietersen and Bell enjoyed before this tour.

They are no further injury concerns in the England squad. Bell had recovered sufficiently from his stomach trouble to resume training on Thursday and nobody else in the squad has contracted the illness.

Back in England, Chris Tremlett could be set for three months on the sidelines after seeing a specialist. He tweeted: "Scans reveal a bulging disc and may require a little clean up. Hopefully back playing mid to end of April."

Strauss denied there was any tension within the England squad about players appearing in the IPL, though he did admit there was a balance to find to ensure the team enjoyed the best preparation ahead of the series against West Indies. "We've become very comfortable with the fact the ICC have given our players a window to play in the IPL and that window stipulates those games have to have enough time to prepare properly for our next Test series," Strauss said. "We all know where we stand. I certainly won't stand in the way of players who want to play. But, with my Test captain's hat on, I want to make sure they have enough time to prepare for the West Indies Tests next summer. We're all comfortable with that."

The series may have been decided, but England retain plenty of motivation going into this game. For a start, they are "desperate" in Andrew Strauss' words, to avoid the humiliation of a 3-0 whitewash. They have not suffered such an indignity since the 2006-07 Ashes and, before that, the 1992-93 series in India. Such a result here would feel like a particular humiliation for the top-ranked side.

They are also keen to denounce their poor record in Asia. Excluding Tests against Bangladesh, England have won just one of their last 19 Tests in Asia and that was back in March 2006, when they defeated India in Mumbai. If England are to travel to Sri Lanka with any realistic confidence, they need to show some signs of improvement. While they could point to the first three innings of the Abu Dhabi Test as evidence of progress, the manner in which the game finished - England spun away for just 72 - superseded the earlier positive signs.

Pakistan, by contrast, approach this game in good spirits. They are aiming to complete just the fifth series clean-sweep (three matches or more) in their history and their first against England. It would also be the first time they have done so outside Pakistan. They have one selection decision to make - Aizaz Cheema and Wahab Riaz are both vying for the second seamer's spot that was filled by Junaid Khan in Abu Dhabi - but go into this Test looking as settled and calm as any Pakistan team in many years.

Perhaps their most remarkable achievement in this series has been exorcising the ghost of spot-fixing. Almost anyway. While talk of the subject has slowly ebbed away over the last few weeks, the release of Mohammad Amir from prison on Wednesday prompted renewed interest. Misbah-ul-Haq, typically, blocked any questions on the issue with the straightest of bats, stating that: "Such incidents are always sad, but you cannot do anything about it." Strauss, in similar mood, was also reluctant to be drawn on the issue but did suggest that "the deterrent should be very strong to stop these guys doing this again."

Misbah was happier talking about the causes of Pakistan's success, crediting a strong team spirit and continuity of selection as the key factors. "If you look two years back, you can say it was an inexperienced side with a lot of young players," he said. "Now they have played almost two years, getting experience, getting mature and gelling well in the team. Everybody knows each other well, understands the game and their responsibilities and what he has to do for the team. That's the main thing for improvement in Pakistan cricket. As you play together and you keep playing against good sides you improve."

Victory in this Test would complete a remarkable rehabilitation for Misbah and his side. In 2010, when Pakistan cricket was tarnished by the corruption scandal and Misbah was omitted from a 35-man preliminary squad, few would have suggested that, less than two years later, he would be the man at the helm of a resurgent Test side. But now on the eve of the final Test of the series, few would doubt his team's ability to complete the clean sweep.

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Ian Bell Down with Stomach Bug

Pakistan v England 2011-12

George Dobell in Dubai

February 1, 2012

Ian Bell was forced to miss training on Wednesday after becoming the latest victim of a stomach bug that has affected several members of the England party.

While Bell hopes to resume training on Thursday, his current absence is not ideal. Like the rest of England's middle order, he has struggled to deal with the turning ball and was hoping to utilise every moment of practice time available before the third Test.

The rest of the squad trained once again at the ICC Global Cricket Academy, with Jonathan Trott and Ravi Bopara hitting the ball particularly well in the nets.

Afterwards James Anderson insisted the mood in the England camp remained upbeat and dismissed any suggestion that there was any split between the bowlers, who have enjoyed a fine tour to date, and the batsmen who, on the whole, have not.

"The mood is pretty good, considering the position we're are in in this series," Anderson said. "There have not been any more meetings than usual. We always have a debrief after a game and, this time, it was a bit longer. We are an open and honest group and the guys have been open and honest in this last couple of days.

"As bowlers, our job is to take 20 wickets in a Test. We thought that might be a difficult job for us out here, but we have probably exceeded our expectations in that department. We're pretty pleased with the way it has been going.

"The batsmen have been fantastic for us over the last couple of years. A lot has been made of two bad games, but the whole team still has confidence in our batting unit. They have been working very hard to correct things over the last couple of days.

"At the end of the day, we lost the game and it reflects on the whole team. We don't think of it as batters against bowlers. There will be times when the bowlers won't get wickets and the opposition get 600 and we're out in the field for two days. The batsmen won't be happy with us then.

"We have every faith in our batsmen that they will come out strong in the next Test."

Motivation should remain no problem for England. Despite having already been condemned to a series defeat, the motivation of remaining the top-ranked Test team and gaining some confidence in Asian conditions will, according to Anderson, ensure the tourists approach the final Test in a positive frame of mind.

"There are a few important issues for us," Anderson said. "The biggest thing is that we have another two tours in the subcontinent this year. So to perform well out here is a big thing for us. We want to stay No. 1 in the world as well, and losing Test matches isn't going to help us achieve that. We've got to try to win every Test match we possibly can.

"We also have a one-day series coming up, so to take a bit of momentum into that would be useful."

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No Point Saying Nothing is Wrong - Bell

Pakistan v England 2011-12

George Dobell in Dubai

January 31, 2012

If the first step to recovery is the acceptance of a problem, then England might just have embarked on the road to rehabilitation.

England arrived in the UAE as the No.1 ranked Test side and with a glowing reputation. Two Test defeats later, however, and England's flaws have been revealed. England may remain, officially, the best ranked Test side, but the title has a hollow ring at present.

It leaves England at a crossroads. Overcome their issues with Asian conditions and, in particular, high-quality spin bowling, and this period may yet come to be remembered as little more than a blip. Fail to overcome the spin threat and they will slide down the rankings. How they respond to that challenge may well define the legacy of this side.

The impressive thing, from an England perspective, is the lack of denial. The team held a meeting before training on Tuesday - an echo of events of early 2009 when they were humbled in Jamaica - where they accepted that it was time to face facts: they have a significant challenge and their currents methods are not working.

It was a point made eloquently by Ian Bell. In many ways, Bell's problems in this series are a microcosm of the side's issues. He arrived in the UAE with an excellent reputation, on the back of a wonderful year but has, to date, looked all at sea against Saeed Ajmal, in particular. Bell is averaging just nine and has been dismissed by Ajmal's doosra three times in four innings.

"There is no point saying we were great the last two years and nothing is wrong," Bell said. "We all know we haven't played good enough cricket here and we would be stupid just to carry on what we're doing.

"There's no point in looking back and saying how great we were against Australia or how great we were against India. It is about now and the next challenges. We have a lot of cricket in the subcontinent and we have to get better; individually and as a unit. We can't keep looking back and patting ourselves on the back - that's all gone."

Bell was the man dropped after that humiliating reverse in Jamaica, but feels there are few parallels between that situation and England's current problems. Instead he hopes that England's success over the last couple of years should give them the confidence to face this new obstacle and insists that the side are relishing the challenge.

"It was the right decision to drop me," Bell said. "I hadn't scored runs for a while. It's a different scenario now. I've played consistently well now for two years and we've had two bad Test matches. So, I'm looking to put in a good performance in this next Test. I don't think I've lost my confidence that's for sure. I can look back on some good things over the last two years.

"The final piece of this England team is to win in the subcontinent. There's no doubt we're not doing things quite right and that we're going to have to get better. It's exciting, as well. We've been given a real whack here and it's nice to know in Test cricket that there are still challenges for us.

"My preparation has been good. We knew what we were going to come up against. I knew I would be starting, in most innings, against spin," he added. "I still feel I'm hitting the ball nicely. I just haven't been able to get past that initial hard stage of batting - that first 20-ball period. That's the danger time, you need to work hard to get to the period where it becomes a bit easier and you can begin to pick the different deliveries. In three of my innings, I've been knocked over quite early.

"All credit to Pakistan. They have played very well. They have bowled particularly well at new batsmen. They've bowled at a good pace; it's really quick spin. You have to work hard. Batting in the subcontinent you have to get through those first 20-25 deliveries, then things seem to come that little bit easier. So far I haven't really got through that so I'll be desperate to work hard to stay in there and survive, then go on to get some runs. I'd love to use my feet to the spinners, but I've not been in there long enough to do that."

Bell is realistic enough to know that there is little time for England's batsmen to learn. The third Test begins on Friday and, barely a week after the conclusion of this tour, England will face similar challenges in Sri Lanka. He makes no promises of success, only assurances of hard work and good intent.

"We all sat down and spoke about what we have done and the mistakes we've made," Bell said. "And about how we want to get better. We are all desperate - as a group - in wanting to win Tests in the subcontinent. We can achieve that. It is the last thing that we need to do - we need to start scoring runs in the subcontinent. If we can do that we can start moving forward again.

"We need to improve. That might not happen by the next Test but we have Sri Lanka coming up and India, so we have to talk about it now. We have to be honest. There is no point putting it off until Sri Lanka or India because we might make the same mistakes again."

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The Wake-Up Call No One Wanted - Flower

Pakistan v England 2011-12

George Dobell in Abu Dhabi

January 29, 2012

Andy Flower, condemned to his first Test series defeat since he took up the England coaching job on a permanent basis, has described their loss to Pakistan in the UAE as "the wake-up call no one wanted to get."

Flower laid the responsibility for the two heavy defeats in Dubai and Abu Dhabi squarely at the feet of England's batsmen and urged them to "face up to facts" and show "courage" in confronting their issues with high-quality spin bowling.

England's dramatic collapse in the second Test, when they were dismissed for 72 in pursuit of a target of 145, leaves them in danger of conceding their No. 1 Test ranking to South Africa if they do not win the final Test in Dubai. A 2-0 or 3-0 defeat, coupled with a 3-0 win for South Africa in New Zealand in March, would be enough for South Africa to take the top spot.

Their long-standing reputation as strugglers in Asian conditions has also been painfully confirmed. In 19 Tests in India, Pakistan, Sri lanka and now the Gulf since winning in Sri Lanka in 2001, England have lost nine, drawn nine and won one - and a sixth series defeat in seven is now inevitable.

"This is a great challenge for all of us," Flower said. "We've got another Test, a one-day series, a couple of Twenty20 games and then we've also got Test series in Sri Lanka and India before the year is out. So these issues will not disappear and we've got to face them with skill and a bit of courage. We've got to be a lot better than we were yesterday. Each individual will have to work very hard in working out his method of scoring.

"Yesterday was tough watching for anyone who loves England cricket. The guys played some really good cricket to get us into that position to chase a total of 145 to win a Test. It is exactly the sort of position you want to be in. But then we weren't good enough to deal with their spinners; we weren't skilful enough and we didn't deal with the pressure well enough. We have to face up to those facts.

Chasing a target of just 145, England's passive approach - Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook laboured for 15 overs in scoring 21 - allowed Pakistan's spin bowlers to build pressure on the batsmen and rendered them close to strokeless at times.

"They made familiar mistakes," Flower said. "We need our batsmen to learn. We didn't put any pressure on their bowlers in the second innings. We allowed them to bowl and create pressure. The conditions to play against quality spinners were difficult and we weren't good enough. We realise that we haven't been very skilful in dealing with that type of cricket.

As demands sounded for changes in the third Test, with the Essex batsman Ravi Bopara looking certain to be given an opportunity, Flower said that he would not be afraid to drop players if necessary.

"Continuity of selection has been part of our strength but very obviously we have to pick players who are most adept at dealing with these conditions," Flower said. "That is what we tried to do. We have lost the series now and of course we have to go into this third Test and pick what we think is the best XI to try and win the game. If that means making a change here and there, then we won't be afraid to do that."

Flower was keen to credit those England players who had enjoyed a good game and the excellent performance of the Pakistan team.

"Maybe we dropped a couple of catches in that first innings that were quite important, but other than that the bowlers and fielders were outstanding and Monty Panesar was great in his comeback game. Jonathan Trott and Alastair Cook were outstanding in that partnership of 139. Stuart Broad was outstanding; he played an aggressive, courageous knock to give us the lead - that was a match-turning performance from him both with ball and bat.

"It's also right to praise the Pakistan team for what they have done. They beat us fair and square. They have beaten us properly in two matches. They have fought hard and worked hard at their game and in a way I'm very happy for them. It's good for their cricket and it's good for their country."

With all the attention falling on an underperforming batting line-up, England have decided not to send for a replacement for the injured seam bowler, Chris Tremlett. Instead the England management have reasoned that the Lions players in contention will gain more benefit from match practice on their tour of Sri Lanka and that, with the likes of Steven Finn and Graham Onions already with the senior squad, England have most bases covered.

England have delayed the announcement of their squad for the limited-overs section of this tour until the end of the third Test. It remains unclear whether Tim Bresnan, who has returned to bowling in England, will have sufficiently recovered from his elbow surgery to warrant selection.

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One of the Most Painful Defeats of my Career - Strauss

Pakistan v England, 2nd Test, Abu Dhabi, 4th day

George Dobell in Abu Dhabi

January 28, 2012

Andrew Strauss has described England's defeat against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi as among the most painful of his career.

Strauss, the England captain, top scored with 32 as his side was dismissed for 72 in pursuit of a target of 145. It was England's lowest total against Pakistan and only the second time they failed to chase a target of under 150 in the fourth innings in more than a century. The result condemned them to their first series defeat since losing in the West Indies in 2009 and jeopardised their reign as the world's No. 1 Test team. If England fail to win the final Test and South Africa inflict a 3-0 defeat upon New Zealand, then South Africa will usurp England.

To make the defeat all the more galling, England had several opportunities to win. Not only was their target modest but, had Kevin Pietersen hit the stumps with a simple throw on day three to run out Asad Shafiq, Pakistan's key second-innings partnership would have been ended. In the context of a low-scoring game, the extra 49 runs the pair added were vital.

"It is a struggle to think of a loss that has hurt more than this," Strauss said. "It's bitterly disappointing to lose a game you should have won. These are the games that hurt the most, because you feel like you've done everything you can to win the game - and then you aren't able to nail the final nail in the coffin.

Strauss' disappointment was increased by the sense that England had failed a significant challenge. Winning in Asian conditions remains the Holy Grail for England and, after the success of the last couple of years, they felt they had an excellent opportunity on this tour. He was, however, frank when assessing where England had gone wrong.

"I said at the start of this tour, this is the final frontier," Strauss said. "England teams haven't done very well out here [in Asia] in the past. We felt like we had a great chance to win this series, but I think the fact that we got rolled over twice in Dubai meant that there was some baggage there going into this final innings. Test cricket is hard and it exposes any vulnerability or weaknesses you have.

"As a batting unit we have to hold our hands up and say we haven't done well enough. We have been rolled over three times in four innings this series. There are no excuses - we need to be better than that.

"We just didn't play well enough, individually or collectively. Individually we've not been clear enough in our game plans against spin, we've not been clear enough in our methods of where our scoring areas are, and we've allowed pressure to build."

Strauss admitted that England's cautious approach might have contributed to the defeat. England were almost strokeless at times, with Alastair Cook labouring for 15 overs for his seven runs.

"It is easy to get caught between two stools," Strauss said. "You don't know whether to be patient or to take the bull by the horns. There is always a balance to strike between attack and defence and ultimately we didn't do it right. I'm a strong believer that players should play their natural game in positions like this, but it was a bit unfortunate that our attacking players were out very quickly."

Strauss was also keen to credit Pakistan for their performance. "It's very important in circumstances like this, and particularly after this game, to give a lot of credit to Pakistan," he said. "They were outstanding. They've been a good, close-knit unit - and they've got some very good spin bowlers. Ultimately, they've played better cricket than we did."

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We can Chase 250 - Broad

Pakistan v England, 2nd Test, Abu Dhabi, 3rd day

George Dobell in Abu Dhabi

January 27, 2012

Stuart Broad has said that England "would not want to be chasing much more than 250" in the final innings against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

Broad, the England allrounder, followed up his excellent first-innings bowling with an aggressive half-century to help his side gain the initiative in the second Test. A fightback from Pakistan's fifth-wicket pair of Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq brought the hosts back into the game, however, and left them leading by 55 with six wickets in hand at the close of the third day.

"We're delighted with our position," Broad said. "They're only about 50 ahead and we are only 19 overs from the new ball. We just have to remember we are only two wickets away from being into their tail.

"We don't want to be chasing more than 250. Scoreboard pressure plays a huge role and even if the wicket does get a bit flatter that's still a decent score. We have to bowl well and that new ball will be the key. Hopefully we can restrict them to about 200 and then chase that down."

Broad denied that England were frustrated by Pakistan's resistance and instead reasoned that batting conditions had eased.

"Frustrating isn't the word," he said. "In Test cricket, you expect partnerships. The wicket today played at its flattest - I just don't know if it will turn more or play flatter tomorrow. But the important thing is we didn't start chasing wickets; we didn't start trying for magical deliveries. We just stayed patient."

Earlier Broad had struck six fours and a six in a 62-ball innings of 58 to help England gain a first-innings lead of 70.

"Looking at how difficult it was to defend against the quick-turning ball at the end of the second day, I thought my best option would be to try and manoeuvre the field, try to counter punch," he said. "Once I hit a couple of boundaries, everybody seemed to move out and I could pick up some singles and twos. It was a personal decision to give it a bit of a go with the amount of turn there was the night before and it paid off."

Azhar, meanwhile, saw things slightly differently. He reasoned that a lead of 150 would prove "very good" on this wicket and that anything "above that would be excellent".

"We're very confident," he said. "We are fighting back. We lost four wickets but we're determined and will not give up.

"No one gave their wicket away. The England bowlers are very good, it has to be said, but we don't want to give up. We were determined and we knew that if we stayed there, the runs would come."

Both players also praised what Azhar called the "fantastic crowd". Around 14,000 spectators took advantage of the free entry to attend the third day's play, creating "brilliant support for both teams", in the words of Azhar.

Their presence also helped drown out Sky Sports commentator David Lloyd, according to Broad. "The Barmy Army have been brilliant throughout," he said. "But it was so quiet on the first day that we could hear 'Bumble' commentating and we had to ask the umpires to turn the speakers down.

"I keep thinking when I go to leave the ground at the end of the day, 'Tomorrow is a huge day - tomorrow evening I'll know what the result will be'. But I keep getting to the end of the day, and I'm no clearer.

"This has been an amazing Test. It's been one for the purists, I suppose. The cricket has been quite slow at times, but very intriguing. It really can go either way."

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Azhar and Shafiq Fight But England Hold Edge on Day 3 of 2nd Test

Pakistan v England, 2nd Test, Abu Dhabi, 3rd day

The Report by David Hopps

January 27, 2012

Pakistan 257 and 125 for 4 (Azhar 46*, Shafiq 35*) lead England 327 (Cook 94, Trott 74, Broad 58*, Ajmal 4-108) by 55 runs

For the first time in their notional home series, Pakistan had a crowd to strengthen their resolve. They came in their thousands after Friday prayers and sat on the grassy banks at the Sheikh Zayed stadium. What they witnessed was Test cricket at its most attritional but they also witnessed a clue to Pakistan's batting future.

Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq came together at 54 for 4 with Pakistan still 16 runs in arrears and England's bowlers coming to terms with the rigours of playing Test cricket in Asia. It is a rare sight to see England with two spinners bowling to an attacking ring. With Pakistan faltering, they were even beginning to think they might like it.

This time Azhar and Shafiq did not have Misbah-ul-Haq at the non-striker's end learnedly chiding them to be patient but they were patient all the same. They ground out 71 at barely two an over and when the third day closed they had drawn the fire from England's attack. Shafiq treated Pakistan's supporters to two successive boundaries off Monty Panesar, Azhar offered a couple of serene drives and a skip down the pitch to loft Graeme Swann over long-on but it was stern-minded stuff.

Their response was essential. Much was made of England's flimsy top-order batting during their 10-wicket defeat in Dubai; Pakistan's looked just as brittle. Panesar and Swann have not been as magical as Saeed Ajmal, nor have they turned the ball as sharply as Abdur Rehman, but in their first Test together for two-and-a-half years they laid down a challenge.

Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar fell to nothing more substantial than artfully-pitched straight balls; a substantial sandstorm could blow through the gap between Taufeeq's bat and pad. Younis Khan got a beauty from Panesar which turned to uproot his off stump. Then the old fox, Misbah, fell: a third wicket for Panesar. Misbah looked for a reprieve on DRS but the dispassionate conclusion had to be that the third umpire, Billy Bowden, was right to conclude that the ball had hit pad before bat.

The growing quality of pitches in the UAE has contributed to two engrossing Tests. It was widely anticipated that this could be a tedious series on unresponsive pitches. Instead, there has been enough life for bowlers to relish an even contest. For those watching from England, whichever side they have been rooting for, it has been well worth an early alarm call.

But the main benefits have come from the advent of DRS. Technology is rapidly making defensive pad play a thing of the past as umpires grant lbw decisions where once they would have looked askance. The game is different now: livelier, more combative and eminently more watchable. The downside is that lbw decisions are at an all-time high but with the future of Test cricket in such doubt, technology has provided a timely shot in the arm.

That England were able to put the squeeze on Pakistan owed everything to Stuart Broad, whose enterprising, unbeaten, 58 from 62 balls gave them a 70-run first-innings lead. England made 116 runs in the morning session at a rate of nearly 4.5 runs an over as Broad poured his frustration with England's careworn batting in the series into every shot. He had made some mildly provocative remarks about his England batting colleagues after Pakistan had been bowled out for 257, remarking on Twitter that it would make no difference if the batsmen did not frame themselves.

When Ajmal had broken England's dominance with three quick wickets on the second evening, frustration had been etched into Broad's face as he watched from the boundary edge. At such times there is something endearing about his unabashed desire to win a cricket match.

He batted like a man on a mission. If it was up there he would hit it, old ball and new. He needed good fortune on 33 when he survived the narrowest of run out decisions by the third umpire Bowden. Azhar pounced on the ball from cover and threw down the stumps as Broad chanced a single off Junaid Khan. As he dived for the crease it was debatable whether his bat was grounded. But he brought up England's 300 by slog-sweeping Abdur Rehman's left-arm spin for six into the Knocking Area - a sanctuary perhaps for the England batsmen he had previously chided.

The old ball was 84.5 overs old at start of play but Misbah entrusted the task of dismantling England's lower order to his spinners. Matt Prior was intent on playing them off the back foot whenever possible but Ajmal had his measure. He was badly dropped at deep square-leg by Junaid and then spared from an lbw decision by the tiniest inside edge. By the time Ajmal had him lbw on the back foot, a decision upheld after an England review, it was apparent he needed to be put out of his misery.

Ian Bell was also dropped, a rasping return catch to Rehman which flew through his hands for four, and was also beaten several times by Rehman's sharp turn. His tremors against Ajmal's doosra were less apparent but he fell to Gul and the second new ball, England failing with DRS for the second time.

Pakistan finally parcelled up England's innings one over into the afternoon as Hafeez, an increasingly redoubtable all-round cricketer, took two wickets in three balls. Panesar, whose last Test innings had been a heroic rearguard action against Australia in Cardiff, this time managed a more prosaic second-ball duck. Panesar, lbw, signalled that he had hit it, but England had omitted to save a review for him.

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Misbah Fights as England Dominates Day 1 of Second Test

Pakistan v England, 2nd Test, Abu Dhabi, 1st day

The Report by David Hopps

January 25, 2012

Pakistan 256 for 7 (Misbah 83*, Shafiq 58, Broad 3-47) v England

The expressionless demeanour of Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan's redoubtable captain, will cause a restless night for an England bowler or two in Abu Dhabi. But before sleep sets in and Misbah stalks their imagination, England will be content after the opening day of the second Test.

Misbah's cussed resistance stabilised Pakistan after they lost 4 for 103, riches that England could not have dared to anticipate after losing the toss. By the close, Misbah had batted 220 minutes for an unbeaten 83 and did not look remotely sated. England will rue the let-off they gave him on 30 when Monty Panesar turned one from around off stump to find the edge but James Anderson uncharacteristically was slow to react at slip and missed the chance.

When Misbah was provoked into aggression, it was Panesar who provoked it. Misbah struck him for four sixes, all more-or-less straight, in two batches of two, the last two remarkable for the fact that he unleashed them off successive balls in the final over of the day. Panesar was left with 1 for 91 by the close, Graeme Swann's three cheap wickets still identifying him as very much the senior partner.

Their almost-forgotten double act had dominated the morning. They were together again in a Test for the first time in two-and-a-half years and to mark the occasion both had a wicket to their name by lunch, Swann bowling Taufeeq Umar in his fourth over, Panesar dismissing Mohammad Hafeez in the same fashion in his seventh.

Abu Dhabi is the driest Test ground in the world, with less than 100mm of rain a year. What little moisture there was initially came from England's spinners salivating. Both found appreciable, if slow, turn while the ball retained its hardness; in Abu Dhabi everybody wants to bowl with the new ball. Panesar looked slightly tense, pulling the occasional ball down short, but both he and Swann beat the outside edge enough to rally England's spirits.

The England management had stroked the pitch at length before play; stroked it, stared at it and finally accepted the inevitable. Fielding only two quick bowlers goes against the grain for England and they agonised until the final minutes but Abu Dhabi demanded it and Panesar made his first Test appearance since he stoutly blocked out for the draw against Australia at Cardiff in July 2009.

Panesar came on as early as the 10th over; Swann joined him three overs later. Both Pakistan openers fell to balls that slid on without turning. Taufeeq was guilty of misjudgement as he allowed a ball from Swann to strike his off-stump. Hafeez was undone by a quicker arm-ball from Panesar. He had been dropped the previous ball, Panesar failing to clutch a firm return catch down by his bootlaces, bringing a momentary appearance of his sad-clown expression.

The pitch flattened as the day progressed. That will tempt England to call for Jade Dernbach as replacement for Chris Tremlett, who is flying home with a recurrence of back trouble. The belief that Dernbach's greater variety could be an attractive proposition.

The desert was a comparatively cool 18 degrees and there was cloud cover about. England fans had been instructed to show decorum and keep their shirts on. They needed little encouragement. One or two even huddled in blankets. Only Newcastle United football fans would have disrobed in such weather.

Taufeeq had one uncomfortable moment when he deflected a ball from Anderson into his grille, seeking to turn the ball into the legside, but the pitch was so slow it rested against his face like a disorientated butterfly. It was not long before Stuart Broad and Anderson began to mentally reduce their likely number of overs in the day. Two wickets for Broad in an excellent afternoon spell kept them busier than they might have imagined.

Broad flogged life from the pitch in an excellent nine-over spell, seaming deliveries back to strike the off stumps of Younis Khan and Azhar Ali. There was slackness about the intended on-drive that caused Younis' downfall. Azhar played straighter but with the same result.

Misbah had reason to ruminate, sensing that Pakistan's discipline during their 10-wicket victory in the first Test in Dubai was no longer quite as evident. He was intent at restoring order, ticking off his younger partner Asad Shafiq for an occasional flight of fancy.

Even in Misbah's defensive posture there was room for him to hoist successive deliveries from Panesar over long-on for six. Shafiq also struck Panesar over the rope at long-off but that came with quicksilver feet. Misbah is not the type to take to the dance floor, preferring to watch and wait, but he showed no indications of wanting to leave early.

Shafiq's ambition finally got the better of him when he fell lbw to Swann, attempting a slog-sweep, a decision that Pakistan failed to overturn by DRS. An over before the new ball was due, it was a headstrong shot.

Anderson viewed the advent of the second new ball so seriously that he refused to accept the ball plucked from the box by Ahsan Raza, the third umpire, from Pakistan. "Not the one I chose," was the gist of Anderson's comments - he chooses cricket balls as seriously as some people choose modern art - and there was a long delay and an early drinks break before he got what he wanted.

The new ball did not bring a wicket for Anderson - Misbah narrowly survived an appeal for lbw after England unsuccessfully resorted to DRS and Andrew Strauss dropped Adnan Akmal, chest high, at slip - but Akmal fell lbw to Broad and Swann nipped in with a third wicket, bowling Abdur Rehman for nought with one that turned, to round off England's day.

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