England (entrance) and Pakistan groups attend a follow session forward of their first Check match on the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on October 5, 2024. —AFP
LONDON: Ben Stokes’ England tackle Pakistan in a three-Check sequence beginning on Monday, buoyed by reminiscences of an astonishing 3-0 sequence sweep in 2022.
England, third on the planet rankings after successful 5 of their previous six Assessments, are going through a Pakistan staff at a low ebb after being crushed by Bangladesh.
AFP Sport seems to be at a few of the key speaking factors for the vacationers forward of the sequence, which begins in Multan.
Stokes issue
England final month wrapped up a 2-1 sequence victory in opposition to Sri Lanka with out skipper Ben Stokes, however he stays the staff’s undisputed chief and talisman.
The 33-year-old all-rounder misses the primary Check after failing to recuperate from a torn hamstring and it stays to be seen whether or not he’ll bowl when he does return.
The inclusion of Stokes as a specialist batsman would alter the stability of the facet England favoured within the latest Sri Lanka sequence, the place they performed 5 frontline bowlers.
The guests may decide to switch one among their common high order with the skipper however it’s extra seemingly they’d play 4 specialist bowlers and depend on Joe Root’s off-spin to complement the assault.
Stokes has not performed for 2 months however he confirmed his value in opposition to the West Indies, scoring three fifties in his final 4 innings of the sequence.
Bazball Mark II?
England’s tour of Pakistan in 2022 got here within the first few heady months of the “Bazball” period — a way of all-out assault inspired by Brendon McCullum, who had grow to be coach earlier that yr.
The guests set the tone for the sequence on the primary day in Rawalpindi, smashing a outstanding 506-4, with 4 males making centuries.
After England’s 4-1 sequence loss in India earlier this yr, McCullum spoke about the necessity to “refine” their fashion and a much less gung-ho method of managed aggression has paid dividends.
England demolished the West Indies 3-0 earlier than beating Sri Lanka 2-1 on dwelling soil.
“I think the style will work in Pakistan, for sure,” retired England bowling nice Stuart Broad stated forward of the launch of Inside Lord’s, Marylebone Cricket Membership’s new digital platform.
“It was a great tour to Pakistan in 2022. All the players really enjoyed it and ultimately, England’s batting group are wonderful players of spin.
“I feel they’re actually optimistic and aggressive, they will discover the boundary and don’t get tied down by spin.
“England will have to play fast-paced cricket to force results over there because you generally do need five days to make something happen.”
Inexperienced assault
The period of Broad and James Anderson is over for England, who’re attempting to construct a brand new tempo assault that may take the battle to India and Australia subsequent yr.
Chris Woakes is the senior paceman and loved an outstanding summer time at dwelling however his figures in abroad Assessments are poor, whereas specific bowler Mark Wooden is out of motion.
Surrey seamer Gus Atkinson has loved a outstanding begin to his Check profession, taking 34 wickets in his first six video games.
However he, Matthew Potts and Olly Stone have simply 19 caps between them and Brydon Carse will make his debut in Multan.
Other than left-armer Jack Leach, who’s again within the fold after being deemed surplus to necessities in the course of the English season, the spin assault can also be inexperienced.
Leach’s Somerset team-mate Shoaib Bashir has performed simply 9 Assessments whereas Rehan Ahmed has not featured because the India sequence, having made his debut in England’s memorable 2022 sequence win in Pakistan.
Broad warns that inexperience may price the guests.
“It’s very difficult to go into a Test match, particularly when Ben Stokes isn’t playing or not bowling with three very inexperienced bowlers because if it goes wrong and the spinner’s inexperienced you could lose a Test match in an hour,” he stated.
