So we move to the Third Test of this fascinating series. Both the first two tests have gone down to the wire, both in unlikely circumstances. But we are where we are, down. Winning a test match, as the Pakistanis found in Dubai, is about sealing the deal, closing the match, and sometimes it is bloody hard to do so.
Clearly, a win in Sharjah by this team would be up there with Mumbai , Colombo , Karachi in the pantheon of great, unexpected, away wins. England will make changes. I fear for his injuries. Fingers crossed for him. The replacement keeper will be Jonny Bairstow which, in my view, is cripplingly unfair to both of them. Bairstow has shown a bit of stickability in the middle order and is trying to nail down a place.
Having to do that while keeping wicket in a one-off test is ratcheting up the difficulty level. Also, will dropping Jos Buttler do him any good? With the press confirming that Taylor and Bairstow are playing, we have to believe that with Plunkett for Wood, we have our XI.
All the best to him. Great days training, now can't wait for tomorrow! His article is very insightful though on how to come to terms with spin bowling, and for that, I think it is well worth a read. Haters will hate, though. Pakistan are without Imran Khan. Will Azhar Ali come into the team?
Will we solve the Yasir conundrum? A fascinating contest is in store. There have been 15 test centuries in Sharjah. Mohammed Hafeez and Kane Williamson made the next two highest scores in the same test match in November The next best innings total is by Pakistan in v West Indies. In those 7 tests, there have been hundred partnerships for each of the first 7 wickets.
