7 wins in 8 eight Tests with 6 extremely commanding wins. A far cry from the 1 in 17 Tests last year. This is England’s record this year. An extraordinary transformation from how they were under Joe Root. This England team overcame sickness among almost the entire squad before the game, a pitch that was no way near the best cricketing surface and a stout Pakistan rearguard on the last day to come away victors with light fading quickly. This was a comprehensive win for England.
England’s experience in Pakistan
Of all the teams, apart from Australia, Pakistan is the other team that England really fears. Just consider this. This was just the 3rd win in Pakistan in 25 games. For some reason, England have always found Pakistan a bogey team, be it in Pakistan or at their home. The record speaks for itself. England in the sub-continent is a team that is not always confident of their abilities. Their inability to play quality spin, constant whining about the conditions, the food, the weather and various other factors have put paid to their hopes. Somewhat like the Asian teams in Australia but what transpired over the five days was something extraordinary.
“It’s just incredible,” Stokes said in the post-match presentation. “We’re pretty lost for words in that dressing room. The hard work and toil that everyone’s put in over this five days is really hitting everyone. Jimmy Anderson was saying he felt a bit emotional, so having a bloke with near enough 180 Test matches [176] feeling like that at the end of this is proof that we’ve achieved something very special this week.”
The entire victory was set-up on the very first day when Crawley and Duckett toyed with the inexperience of the Pakistan bowlers. The assault was breathtaking to watch. None of the bowler had any effect on either of them. Crawley whose spot was in serious jeopardy following tardy returns during the home summer, must have relished the sight of a barren strip devoid of grass and not offering any amount of turn. It is onething to find such conditions but quite another to completely utilise to one’s advantage. Both Crawley and Duckett did that emphatically.
The whole team must be applauded
The buy-in into the new culture of playing sustained aggressive cricket was better epitomised by the display of Harry Brook in the second innings. Here he was with a chance to score twin hundreds in the same Test but he was willing to overlook that opportunity in trying to score runs quickly and as a result he lost his wicket for 87. Stokes sent a word to Brook that a declaration was imminent and there was no question of him being allowed to complete his hundred. If he has to, he had to get it before the declaration.
Stokes was fulsome in his praise for Brook, “The selflessness that he went out there and played with… the freedom, the way he expressed his talent, was absolutely incredible. He’s one for the future.”
At this, I cannot help but cast my mind back to the days of Rahul Dravid and how Tendulkar made a huge cry of having missed out on a double century when Dravid declared at 194. It was a dead give away of Tendulkar’s attitude. Incidentally, it happened in Pakistan as well.
Coming back to the game, it is all the more impressive when players like Crawley, Pope, Duckett, Brook who have hardly played a few games and whose spots are up for grabs are dragged into a formula of their own will which has so far produced amazing results. It perhaps speaks volumes about the confidence Stokes and McCullum has given the players. They are willing to give the players a longer run because such a risk-free approach is bound to cause a few failures.
Stokes declaration was it brave or naïve?
Stokes declared by dangling a carrot to Pakistan to chase down and win the game. They had dominated large parts of the game. I am not really sure that that was the correct decision. The ends justifies the means, ofcourse, but could Stokes have delayed the declaration for a few overs and thereby given Pakistan an unassailable target? Supporters will point to the fact that despite Stokes declaring early, their bowlers took almost the whole day to take 10 Pakistan wickets and that it was the perfect decision. One good partnership, England would have very well lost the Test. Also, the small matter of workload of the bowlers.
England’s bowlers have bowled 100 more overs than Pakistan. In a short Test series, these things will matter. Will they remain effective in the rest of the games? Robinson is not a fit cricketer and Anderson is more than 40. Unless, England can reinforce the team with fresh pair of legs, they are likely to struggle. The batsmen will have to carry the bowlers in that case.
Stokes was adamant, “I have got no interest in playing for the draws, and we try to look at the positive option. You have to make things happen on a wicket like this and make some bold decisions.
What can England achieve when bowlers are back?
This is a scary thought. The team that won at Rawalpindi was not England’s best team. They were missing the services of Archer, Wood and Stone. Not to mention the chief enforcer, Bairstow. That is an awesome firepower. If all the bowlers are fit and assuming that they will back to their best post injury, it really is a scary thought of what England can achieve. They await tougher challenges in India and Australia but based on the current evidence and with that kind of a bowling attack, it will take a real special performance to stop England.
Wrapping up comprehensive win for England
The series is nicely set-up. England have laid down the gauntlet. Will Pakistan be able to respond? The only worry for England will be the effectiveness of their bowlers after a long bowling stint. Perhaps, Robinson will be replaced with Broad or Anderson can be given a break but it is clear that the Stokes led side is not going to play safe cricket.
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