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England v Pakistan, 1st ODI: Five Things We Learned

England v Pakistan, 1st ODI: Five Things We Learned

England win the first ODI against Pakistan by 44-runs (DLS) in a rain-affected series opener at The Ageas Bowl. Here’s what we learned…

MAN OF THE DAY - JASON ROY

Azhar Ali may have top-scored, but it was Jason Roy’s innings of 65 that took the game home for England. At the top of the order, he has become something of a collossus. As well as feeling comfortable on the international scene, Roy is in a purple patch that has seen him smashed 120 not out against Kent, a 93 not out against Glamorgan – both in the Royal London One-Day Cup – and a Championship 110 against Middlesex. He struck seven boundaries in all, including a brutal flat slog-swept six over square leg. But crucially, he was able to dab the ball around and punished even the most miniscule slip in line or length from Pakistan’s Power Play bowlers. The question is starting to be asked: should he be given a go in Tests? Probably not but, in this form, it may be foolish to bet against him, even if logic dictates…

WOODY!

What a welcome return it is for Mark Wood. Having blitzed domestic cricket in recent weeks, culminating in an incredible spell of 90mph-plus bowling on Finals Day, that made mincemeat of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow. He was just as sharp here, clocking in at near 94 at times, with a first international wicket since October 2015, in the third Test against Pakistan in the UAE, as Sharjeel Khan was rushed into a hook shot to edge behind. That would be his only success, as he finished his 10 overs for the concession of just 57 runs. But seeing him back in a full England kit was a joy. He will play a huge role for England out in Asia this winter.

HALES’ TROUGH

It is probably to Alex Hales’ credit that he is such an open book. You know when life is good, as the jokes flow and the smile beams with every run off the bat or skip in the field. But the bad times are even more evident: he chastises himself after each dismissal and drop, to such an extent that they stick in the mind vividly. And over the last two months, since an impressive Test series against Sri Lanka, you’ve been spoilt for choice for pictures of Hales displeasure. It started with dropping Azhar Ali when the opener, who top scored for Pakistan with 82, when the batsman had just nine to his name. Today’s dismissal was another aberration: another dismissal to slip which bordered on catching practice as he tried to guide a single to third man. The logic is that some biffing of a white ball may do him some good ahead of the winter tours. But on today’s evidence, might a break serve him better? To add

MORGAN BATTLES ON

When England went off at 19 for three, after the rains came upon the completion of 34 overs, well ahead of the DLS par score of 147, you wouldn’t begrudge Morgan a bit of a grumble. He had 33 to his name from 48 deliveries – just 17 away from a first half-century in 12 innings. He was scratchy and struggled to rotate the strike to such an extent that it was his drop and run that resulted in the run out of Joe Root. He is far from the young tyro who came on the scene. If anything, he is the one that slows this side down. And with Sam Billings and Ben Duckett hammering down the door, the England captain is under the pressure and needs to rediscover his fluency.

SHAH-LESS PAKISTAN RUDDERLESS

Even with the pace of Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir, Pakistan looked toothless when Roy, Joe Root and Ben Stokes starting picking singles off at will. Considering how England have fumbled against spin in limited overs cricket, as well as in Tests, it seemed a no-brainer to play Yasir Shah, yet he was overlooked for an extra couple of bits and pieces allrounders. England would have found him tricky to manoeuvre into gaps and, if he hadn’t managed wickets, he certainly would have built pressure for others in the attack to thrive off.