Fawad's not going to get many over here. All the seamers will see him as a cert LBW, and will forming an impatient queue to get at him. The ball moves too late in our conditions and we have some of the best at doing it in the world. He wouldn't have lasted three balls from Brian Statham.
I thought of Peter Willey soon as I saw him, Peter though did hold his stance and he wasn't facing mid on when the delivery was commenced! Well done Jimmy, his control was very good and his fielding resembling his great days of athleticism. At 38, a five day match must be gruelling and only someone of his fitness could be competing anyway.
Seems Root has had a talking too, by revolving his bowlers, Jimmy got a rest and young Curran again impressed. Puzzling about Jofra, its almost as if he doesn't want to bowl quickly any more and I'd rather have Curran therefore, whilst Anderson can still produce. Felt for Burns and Sibley yesterday. Slip fielding is not pleasant. I broke or split more fingers fielding first slip than I ever did batting, including one that snapped my thumb back leaving the bone poking through. The keeper fainted when he came to help me get up! The first catch the former did take was many times more difficult and he took it brilliantly. This Pakistan side is shallow in batting and doesn't seem to be able - yet - to give the bowlers enough runs to go at.
An extra treat was not having the whine of that infernal woman Mitchell commentating. Is it me or does having two women and one man summing up look unnatural? Where's Vaughnny instead of some admittably very nice ladies? My Godson tells me they're there as 'eye candy'! Remember the days when Jim Swanton used to do it, with such adroit expertise.
Nice to be away at last from the dull, dark Lowry inspired 'OLD' Trafford and off to a bright good sighting ground like Southampton.
They won't last long today and then we should go for 400 plus and perhaps do it by an innings. Famous last words!