The fourth and final Test between England and Pakistan at The Oval was sensationally abandoned on Sunday after an ugly row over ball tampering. The decision that Pakistan should forfeit the game in such circumstances was unprecedented in the 129-year-history of Test cricket.
England’s Stephen Harmison insisted he has no major concerns about his form heading into the Ashes series against Australia despite a faltering display in the fourth and final Test against Pakistan in London at The Oval. The spearhead fast-bowler, who is suffering from a back injury, had a wretched day on Friday.
Mohammad Yousuf’s third century of the series left Pakistan in command of the fourth and final Test at The Oval in London on Friday. When bad light forced an early close on the second day, Pakistan were 336 for three, a first-innings lead of 163, with Yousuf 115 not out and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq unbeaten on two.
Mohammad Asif marked his return to Test cricket with four wickets as Pakistan salvaged some pride on the first day of the fourth and final Test against England at The Oval on Thursday. His 4-56 in 19 overs was instrumental in England being bowled out for a meagre 173.
England coach Duncan Fletcher has called Monty Panesar the best finger spinner in the world after the left-armer produced another impressive display against Pakistan. Panesar took 3-39 in the second innings at Headingley and six wickets in the match as the hosts completed a 167-run third Test victory and with it secured an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
Monty Panesar and Stephen Harmison again proved a lethal combination for Pakistan as England won the second Test by an innings and 120 runs with more than two days to spare. The duo, who took 19 out the 20 wickets to fall (the other was a run-out), dismissed Pakistan for 222 in their second innings after England had piled up 461-9 declared.
Alastair Cook and Ian Bell both scored their second Test hundreds in as many matches as England built a commanding lead against Pakistan at Old Trafford on Friday. At stumps Pakistan were 12-0 for in their second innings, a deficit of 330, after England had declared their first innings on 461-9 with Bell 106 not out following left-hander Cook’s Test-best 127.
Stephen Harmison’s pace proved too much for Pakistan as England gained a first-innings lead following a dramatic collapse by the tourists on the opening day of the second Test at Old Trafford on Thursday. Harmison took 6-19 in just 13 overs as Pakistan were bundled out for 119, only three batsmen making double figures.
Getting a team on the field for the second Test at Old Trafford starting on Thursday is threatening to become a major achievement for England and Pakistan as both sides try to cope with mounting injury lists. Last week, England suffered a major setback when Andrew Flintoff was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
Pakistan paid a high price for a series of dropped catches as unbeaten hundreds from Alastair Cook and Paul Collingwood put England in a strong position on the first day of the first Test at Lord’s on Thursday. At stumps England were 309-3 after Cook, dropped three times, and Collingwood, missed once, both scored their second Test centuries.