Advertisement

James Anderson on the brink of 600 Test wickets after Azhar Ali's unbeaten century frustrates bowlers

James Anderson. -  ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
James Anderson. - ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

James Anderson spent an age choosing the ball for Pakistan’s second innings carefully sorting through a box of shiny new Dukes before settling on one that will probably end up displayed in a glass case in the Lord’s museum.

Anderson is on 598 wickets, two short of becoming the first quick bowler to take 600 in Test cricket. It is a milestone that has become a millstone this summer, clearly weighing on his mind.

His confidence should be high after his five for 56 ensured Pakistan follow on 310 runs behind, despite Azhar Ali’s outstanding unbeaten 141.

This is a new ball pitch and Anderson struck four times in Pakistan’s first innings before the ball was 13 overs old. With heavy clouds, and rain of course, forecast for Monday's conditions should be ideal for swing and seam.

But Anderson is an old pro and a pessimist so he will be nervously looking at the forecast and fearing the worst. He will also be muttering about a bizarre, and slapstick, final 15 minutes of play last night that saw three catches go down off his bowling.

Zak Crawley was the chief culprit. He has had an incredible Test match but even after scoring 267 it is a good idea to steer clear of Anderson when you have dropped an absolute sitter off him at slip two balls after another chance had just gone down.

Anderson was bent double with his head in his hands when Crawley dropped a straightforward edge of Mohammad Abbas for what would have been his 598th wicket.

England's James Anderson reacts after a chance to catch was dropped in the field off his bowling on the third day of the third Test cricket match between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, southern England on August 23, 2020.  - GETTY IMAGES
England's James Anderson reacts after a chance to catch was dropped in the field off his bowling on the third day of the third Test cricket match between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, southern England on August 23, 2020. - GETTY IMAGES

In many ways it should have been Anderson’s 599th for Rory Burns had missed a slightly harder catch two balls earlier off Azhar. Anderson took that one in his stride but not the miss by Crawley. He had a disdainful look only an old bowler can give a young batsman who has not had to bend his back for 18 years.

The third drop had an element of high comedy that even made Anderson crack a half smile.

Azhar drove tiredly on 130 to Broad at mid on where Anderson’s great partner dropped another easy catch. But in the mayhem Abbas tried to steal a single and was run out by a direct hit from Broad.

Anderson had a rueful look when Dom Sibley held on to an edge off Naseem Shah two overs later that ended the innings. He led the team off, a wise way of staying out of his way by those with butterfingers, and moments later was with the fourth umpire rummaging through the new balls like an expert jeweller sorting through diamonds looking for duds.

Anderson will have worries about the slip cordon hanging on to edges but not Jos Buttler, who has enjoyed a fine game with the gloves.

Three excellent catches prove how success in one discipline breeds confidence in another for allrounders. He was a broken man after missing three chances off Dom Bess in the first Test.

But since then he has ironed out a technical flaw in his batting and subsequently mastered a run chase and scored his second Test century. Life is better, he is certain of his place and the fumbles behind the stumps are gone.

Buttler has worked hard since arriving in Southampton on his keeping with coach Bruce French. They have used the Merlyn spin bowling machine to help his reactions standing up and he took a sharp chance off Bess that was rising high to his left off Fawad Alam, similar to one he missed in Manchester.

Azhar’s form has been patchy for two years and as captain averaged 26 with one hundred going into this match. His tactics as England stole the first Test in Manchester were unimaginative and timid and scores of 0, 18 and 20 in the series put him under real pressure to keep his job.

So this was an important innings that restored pride for him and his team. In doing so he became the fifth Pakistan batsman to score 6,000 Test runs. This was his 17th Test hundred and it was a fine one too.

Pakistan's captain Azhar Ali raises his bat and helmet to celebrate scoring a century during the third day of the third cricket Test match between England and Pakistan, at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, England, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. - AP
Pakistan's captain Azhar Ali raises his bat and helmet to celebrate scoring a century during the third day of the third cricket Test match between England and Pakistan, at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, England, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. - AP

He survived three England reviews before he had reached 20. One on Saturday night off Archer, and one on Sunday morning a wasted by Broad, who talked Root into having a look at an lbw that always looked to be going down the leg side. A final one was justified when an absolute snorter from Jofra Archer whistled past Azhar’s nose but did not flick the glove. Umpire Richard Illingworth made a superb call, judging correctly the ball had flicked Azhar’s shoulder.

Azhar found support from Mohammad Rizwan, a gutsy, difficult batsmen to dislodge who made a second successive fifty. His 138 run stand in 38.5 overs made the most of a softened ball and little lateral movement. Archer banged it in, responding with two quick overs in excess of 90mph and hit Rizwan on the head.

Azhar expanded his game taking 113 balls to move into the 30s but once he clicked he was away, his next 74 came off just 92. He brought up his century with his 15th four off 205 balls.

With the innings drifting and England looking flat they needed a breakthrough. Chris Woakes struck lucky, Rizwan flicking at a leg side ball that Buttler took diving wide to his left.

It opened up the tail with the second new ball five overs away. The harder ball did the rest, Pakistan slumping from 236 for six to 273 all out as England combined brilliance with farce.  Buttler plucked a superb leg side catch off Shaheen Afridi, looking down at the ball in his gloves with surprise, before the three drops off Anderson.

His mood eased when he dismissed last man Naseem setting up Monday to be a day Anderson might never forget.


06:40 PM

And that's all from me today

Report and more reaction across Telegraph Sport.


06:33 PM

Azhar Ali will not have to open tomorrow, despite walking out to bat tonight


06:32 PM

Pakistan could avoid defeat in this match...

Pakistan will start their second innings 310 runs behind. The weather forecast is not great for tomorrow, with plenty of rain expected, meaning that Pakistan could well avoid defeat in this Test - a draw the best case scenario.

That amazing partnership between Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes in the first Test at Old Trafford is looking more and more important...


06:16 PM

What a day of cricket!

Pakistan looked set to crumble after losing three quick wickets last night. They then fought back well through Azhar Ali and Mohammad Rizwan. The new ball brought chaos with wickets, dropped catches and a run out.

James Anderson will not forget having three catches dropped in 12 balls, before finally getting the wicket that took him to five in the innings.

He will start tomorrow on 598 Test match wickets, just two away from being the first seamer ever to reach 600.


06:06 PM

Here is the final moment of action from a cracking day of Test match cricket


06:04 PM

STUMPS! PLAY IS DONE FOR THE DAY

What a shame, Anderson versus Azhar would have been terrific. The light was not good enough to restart.


06:03 PM

The Pakistan batsmen are coming out

Azhar Ali is going to carry on batting! Why not, he was batting so well. He promotes himself up to open with Abid Ali dropping to number three.

But the light meters are now coming out..


05:58 PM

A remarkable evening session so far...


05:57 PM

It is all about Anderson, now

James Anderson is on 598 Test wickets - can he get two more tonight? 

A word for Azhar Ali who finished 141 unbeaten. A super knock from the under pressure captain.


05:55 PM

ENGLAND ENFORCE THE FOLLOW ON

Pakistan will bat again tonight.


05:54 PM

WICKET! Naseem c Sibley b Anderson 0

Anderson has his five wicket haul! Naseem edges it to the slips and Sibley - thankfully - takes a low catch. More than well deserved for Anderson.


05:53 PM

OVER 93: PAK 273/9 (Azhar 141* Naseem 0*)

Anderson is full to Naseem, striking the pads, but the ball was going well down leg. Two play and misses. Can Anderson get his fifth wicket in the innings? His teammates are certainly not helping...

And another play and miss.


05:49 PM

OVER 92: PAK 273/9 (Azhar 141* Naseem 0*)

Archer is into the attack, replacing Broad. He starts a touch short and Azhar punches the ball away for a comfortable two. Azhar is playing his shots now, an attempted drive goes nowhere. He then chases a wide one, play and miss.

Archer's last ball of the over is pulled for four - that means they get a full over at Naseem.


05:46 PM

Here is the dropped catch/run out... no England players celebrate as this was the third dropped catch...


05:45 PM

OVER 91: PAK 267/9 (Azhar 135* Naseem 0*)

Anderson continues, please, nobody drop a fourth catch! I must say I had four catches dropped off my bowling by the same fielder in a match, albeit at a slightly lower level...

Anderson is full and straight to Azhar who plays defensively. He then dances down the pitch to work a single from the last ball of the over, keeping the strike. Clever batting.


05:42 PM

If you are wondering how James Anderson is feeling after three dropped catches off his bowling in 12 balls

James Anderson. - REUTERS

05:40 PM

OVER 90: PAK 266/9 (Azhar 134* Naseem 0*)

Broad over-pitches to Azhar who drives through mid-on for four. Cracking shot. He then clips a single away, handing Naseem two balls to face.

He survives.


05:36 PM

WICKET! Abbas run out (Broad) 1

Broad picks up the ball after the dropped catch and a direct hit runs out Abbas who was ball watching!

More chaos! Poor Jimmy, three dropped catches in 12 balls.

FOW: 261/9


05:35 PM

OVER 89: PAK 261/8 (Azhar 129* Abbas 1*)

Anderson is targetting Abbas' stumps. He blocks the first two deliveries. Abbas then inside edges the ball down to fine leg. Anderson is not a happy camper right now.

A THIRD DROPPED CATCH OFF ANDERSON IN TWO OVERS! Azhar chips it to Broad who shells it but...


05:31 PM

A great stat! Unless you are Rory Burns, of course


05:31 PM

OVER 88: PAK 260/8 (Azhar 129* Abbas 0*)

Azhar pulls a short ball from Broad all the way to the boundary, beating the two men posted for that shot. Superb timing. He then cuts the next ball to the fence. Azhar is cashing in on that chance he gave last over.

Azhar drops and runs, he is rightly sent back and Broad hits the stumps. Azhar just got back into his crease with a dive! Inches away from running himself out. Chaos continues this over!

Azhar cannot get off strike from the last ball of the over.


05:25 PM

OVER 87: PAK 252/8 (Azhar 121* Abbas 0*)

Anderson will be desperate to get in on the action, Broad has taken both wickets with the new ball.

DROPPED CATCH! Anderson lures Azhar into a drive and Burns shells it at second slip, the ball running for four which illustrates how quickly that went. Should have been taken. 250 up for Pakistan. Azhar gets off strike the next ball.

ANOTHER DROPPED CATCH! This time Crawley drops Abbas. A regulation fourth slip catch. That definitely should have been taken! Anderson will be - rightly - fuming.


05:21 PM

Jos Buttler is getting better and better with each match this series


05:20 PM

Here is Jos Buttler's must-watch catch! Stunning stuff


05:20 PM

OVER 86: PAK 247/8 (Azhar 116* Abbas 0*)

Buttler has a superb game with the bat, and now he is doing the same with the gloves. He took an excellent catch off Bess' bowling earlier too.

Abbas is at the crease, blocking his first delivery. A bumper from Broad is well avoided. The next ball strikes Abbas in the midriff. Tricky batting conditions for a tailender right now. Abbas survives.


05:15 PM

WICKET! Shaheen c Buttler b Broad 3

Buttler has just taken a sublime catch! Broad, around the wicket to Shaheen, draws a bit of glove down the leg side from Shaheen. Buttler flies into action, taking a remarkable catch, high and wide to his right! Wow, that was top class keeping.

FOW:  247/8


05:12 PM

OVER 85: PAK 247/7 (Azhar 116* Shaheen 3*)

Anderson could have six deliveries at Shaheen. Shaheen gets an inside edge, allowing him to get off strike. That will frustrate Anderson and Root. 

Anderson is probing away at the stumps, but Azhar is up to the task currently. A huge lbw shout goes up! That looked very close! England have no reviews left, they look very disappointed with that call. Azhar may have got a tickle on it before it struck him in front of stumps. Yep, a thin edge saves him. Michael Gough gets it right again!


05:08 PM

OVER 84: PAK 246/7 (Azhar 116* Shaheen 2*)

Azhar carves Broad over gully for a couple. He used the width nicely there, lifting the ball over the catchers.

With two balls left in the over, the field comes in, limiting Azhar's ability to pinch the strike. The last ball of the over generates an lbw appeal, but Azhar got a decent chunk on that.


05:04 PM

Here is the Stuart Broad wicket!


05:04 PM

OVER 83: PAK 244/7 (Azhar 114* Shaheen 2*)

Three wickets left in the innings, three wickets for Jimmy to get to 600 Test wickets. You do the maths.

Azhar is shaping anxiously to the new ball, unsure what degree of movement to expect. The Pakistan captain clips the ball away for one, leaving Shaheen with two deliveries to face from Anderson.

The first is well wide, easy leave. The second is a far better ball, play and miss. Shaheen survives.


04:59 PM

OVER 82: PAK 243/7 (Azhar 113* Shaheen 2*)

England are well and truly into the tail. Out strides the tall Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has a tendency to only offer a block or a leave.

I retract that. He clips his first ball away for two through square leg, decent timing. Then comes a solid block. And repeat. A play and miss closes out an excellent over.


04:55 PM

WICKET! Yasir c Root b Broad 20

The new ball strikes! Broad nips one away on off stump, luring Yasir into a shot. The ball flies off the bat and Root takes a head high catch at first slip. Well caught, that came at real pace.

FOW: 241/6


04:54 PM

OVER 82: PAK 241/6 (Azhar 113* Yasir Shah 20*)

Broad is back at other end.


04:51 PM

OVER 81: PAK 241/6 (Azhar 113* Yasir Shah 20*)

Anderson returns to the attack, sitting on 597 Test wickets - and four so far in the innings.

Four slips are in for Yasir. Anderson shapes the ball away from the right hander, some lateral movement beginning to emerge. And again, but this time the swing draws a play and miss from Yasir. There is some cloud cover, the lights are on and Jimmy needs just three wickets!

Another play and miss. Anderson then drops a touch short and Yasir flicks the ball away for four with one leg in the air! Elegant stuff. An inside edge means he will retain the strike.


04:47 PM

Second new ball is taken!

An exciting phase of the match should now occur... 


04:47 PM

OVER 80: PAK 236/6 (Azhar 113* Yasir Shah 15*)

The second new ball is available at the end of this over. Azhar works a single from the first ball, accumulating steadily.

Yasir is playing rather sensibly for, well, Yasir. Two blocks are followed by a push down the ground which brings three runs. Nice shot. 

Azhar drives the last ball of the over away through the covers for four - excellent timing, as you would expect for a man on over 100.


04:41 PM

OVER 79: PAK 228/6 (Azhar 108* Yasir Shah 12*)

Buttler copped one on the end of his index finger at the end of the last over. Seems okay. Yasir sweeps Bess for two.

The next ball is edged in between Buttler and Root at first slip, the ball racing away for four. Unlucky for the off-spinner. That was a genuine edge! Yasir flicks the ball into the leg side for one, Azhar does the same from the following delivery.


04:38 PM

OVER 78: PAK 220/6 (Azhar 107* Yasir Shah 5*)

Woakes digs one in, Azhar hooks, picking up a single to the man stationed on the boundary. Yasir clips one of his legs nicely, handing the strike back to his skipper.

The new ball is looming and Azhar tries to cash in on a short and wide delivery, but his cut shot finds the fielder at backward point. No run.


04:34 PM

OVER 77: PAK 218/6 (Azhar 106* Yasir Shah 4*)

Evening, all. Bess continues from around the wicket, bowling a rather negative line it must be said.

Azhar and Yasir both pick up some easy runs, plenty of space in the spread field.


04:31 PM

OVER 76: PAK 213/6 (Azhar 105* Yasir Shah 2*)

Goes without saying that it's a huge wicket, opening up an end to bowl at a few overs before the new ball.

Yasir Shah the new man, he likes to play his shots, and he is off the mark second ball with a cut for two.

I'm going to hand you over to Jake Goodwill for the rest of the day, should be a good session I hope. Cheers.


04:28 PM

WICKET! Rizwan c Buttler b Woakes 53

Chris Woakes has burgled one! A bit of a nothing ball, down legside, Rizwan flicks at it half-heartedly and Buttler pulls off a stunning catch. FOW 213/6


04:26 PM

OVER 75: PAK 213/5 (Azhar 105* Rizwan 53*)

Next challenge for Pakistan, and probably the match-winning opportunity, is the new ball in five overs. At the very least, this partnership has put miles into the legs of the England seamers as and when Root enforces the follow on.  Had they been bowled out by tea England would definitely have asked Pakistan to go again. Now it might not be quite so certain?

Still, none of that is Dom Bess's problem: he's got an over to bowl. Field is quite spread. Three off it.

Woakes to bowl the next over.


04:18 PM

OVER 74: PAK 210/5 (Azhar 104* Rizwan 51*)

Azhar resets and consolidates by blocking out a maiden from Woakes. Pakistan now trail by a trifling 373. Still, they will enjoy this well-earned drink.


04:17 PM

Azhar Ali tribute corner


04:15 PM

OVER 73: PAK 210/5 (Azhar 104* Rizwan 51*)

WELL BATTED Azhar. Ah that is a fighter's knock. He's had a rough series, and the knives are out for his captaincy back home. He has defied some quality bowling here, and under a great deal of pressure, he has kept his side in this match. He brings up the ton with an attractive drive for four through the covers.

Second fifty came from 68 balls, scoring at a good clip in the circs.


04:12 PM

OVER 72: PAK 204/5 (Azhar 99* Rizwan 50*)

Woakes on. Azhar pulls him for a four that takes him onto 99. But hear in mouth for AA now! Woakes snakes the ball past his outside edge, fag paper away from the crushing disappointment of a Mr Whippy and Flake.


04:05 PM

OVER 71: PAK 200/5 (Azhar 95* Rizwan 50*)

Rizwan has walloped Dom Bess for six! Not a bad way to bring up the half century for this battling keeper-badder.

200 is up, Pakistan have done well to get here having been three down for spit last night and then losing another one early this morning.


04:03 PM

OVER 70: PAK 192/5 (Azhar 94* Rizwan 44*)

Jofra continues manfully, plenty of short stuff but looks to me like Rizwan is playing that well.


03:58 PM

OVER 69: PAK 192/5 (Azhar 93* Rizwan 44*)

Six off the over from Bess. Azhar drives him for three when he overpitches.


03:55 PM

OVER 68: PAK 186/5 (Azhar 90* Rizwan 41*)

Root is a splendid player and guy in so many ways but I do wonder a bit about him with Archer. He's got his prime fast man hammering in here, 90mph bouncers but not really troubling the batsmen too much. Feels like dragging a trailer with a Ferrari a bit.


03:53 PM

OVER 67: PAK 185/5 (Azhar 90* Rizwan 40*)

Couple off the Bess over moves skipper into the 90s.


03:46 PM

OVER 66: PAK 183/5 (Azhar 88* Rizwan 40*)

Not much in this slow pitch for Jofra, but he bowls an accurate over with good pace here. Tries the short ball but it balloons up and Rizwan helps the ball over the slips for four.


03:41 PM

OVER 65: PAK 177/5 (Azhar 88* Rizwan 34*)

Broad's got the field set for the bouncer, but bowls line and length.


03:36 PM

OVER 64: PAK 176/5 (Azhar 88* Rizwan 33*)

Archer with a quick ball, but nothing is happening for him. "It is pointless having Jofra bowling dogsbody overs," says Straussy. "I'd take him off an bring him back once something is starting to happen with the pitch, or a new batsman, or..." Azhar uppercuts him for four with something like ease.


03:30 PM

OVER 63: PAK 170/5 (Azhar 84* Rizwan 32*)

That one seemed to tail in from Broad. He delivers it from wide on the crease and Azhar loses the line as he tries to flick at it. The ball crashes into his back leg, low down. England appeal - but have already lost their review. Broad would have reviewed that every time, but would have been wrong! Going down leg.


03:27 PM

OVER 62: PAK 169/5 (Azhar 83* Rizwan 32*)

Here is Jofra Archer. Rizwan climbs into a short and wide one, crashed through point. Archer over-compensates later in the over, overpitches and Rizwan drives that back past the bowler. Shot, sir!


03:26 PM

OVER 61: PAK 161/5 (Azhar 83* Rizwan 24*)

Broad: full, straight, asking questions and attacking the stumps. Little or no assistance from the surface and no discernible reverse swing that I can see.


03:19 PM

Both teams are back out and ready

England are going with Stuart Broad, they could do with a bit of his momentum-seizing. We could go until 1930 tonight, by which time I think... most people will have had enough?


03:07 PM

Tea: PAK 158/5 (Azhar 82* Rizwan 22*)

Pakistan still trailing by a monster 425 but they are battling. Azhar Ali looks to have batted himself into something like a good nick, he's played some very attractive shots through point and has also swept the spinner with authority. Rizwan, a gutsy player, has helped him in an unbroken stand of 83 despite being clattered on the bonce by Jofra Archer, who bowled some wheels in short spells. Woakesy is a bit below par. Broad and Anderson not used all that much, they were both solid rather than spectacular.

Hard work for England but they will feel they are just a wicket away from blowing through Pakistan here. Weather was okay in that session, but will be poor on days four and five so England cannot let things drift.

Jos Buttler took a quality catch off the bowling of Dom Bess to give England their fifth wicket - Getty

02:58 PM

OVER 60: PAK 158/5 (Azhar 82* Rizwan 22*)

Really nice bit of bowling from Bess: spinning like a top, the ball dips, beats the outside edge of Azhar's bat. Flicks, I think, the back thighpad and into Buttler's gloves and then into his grille. Excellent ball. And that, after a well fought session, is tea.


02:55 PM

OVER 59: PAK 157/5 (Azhar 82* Rizwan 21*)

Tea's at five-to. This is one of the longest afternoon sessions I can remember blogging. Next session is gonna be a biggie as well. 1615 until 1930. I've already had two meals since I started at 12 ish. Talking of Rob Key, bless him.

"It was my wife who gave it away, not me," says Rob Key. 

"Now you don't only not have a dog, you're going to be divorced as well," says Mike Atherton.

Meanwhile. Azhar glides Chris Woakes to the third man fence for four runs.


02:50 PM

OVER 58: PAK 152/5 (Azhar 78* Rizwan 20*)

After a quiet over from Woakes, it's back to Bess. And Azhar is at him, playing him well. Steers him through point for three, and then nails a sweep for four.


02:44 PM

OVER 56: PAK 143/5 (Azhar 70* Rizwan 19*)

England ringing the changes. Bess on for a spell.


02:39 PM

OVER 55: PAK 141/5 (Azhar 69* Rizwan 18*)

Jeez. Rob Key. He seems like the nicest bloke you could wish to meet. Him and Mike Atherton are talking about dogs, because the camera has alighted on a sniffer dog in the crowd called Winston.  Rob Key says that his family got a labrador on the proviso that he would walk it. He didn't. And then his wife Fleur gave the dog to another family! Rob! Poor bloke. The dog was called Rosie. Saddest story I ever heard on the cric.

Also rather sorrowful right now is Chris Woakes, back on, but still searching for his rhythm. No ball in there.


02:35 PM

OVER 54: PAK 139/5 (Azhar 69* Rizwan 17*)

Some excellent batting on display here. Mohammad Rizwan guides the ball through point for three. Now Azhar pulls Jofra away in front of square, you need to have your eye in to do that against a guy bowling it at 89mph, as that one was. 

England, although obviously miles ahead, are scratching their heads a little here. This pair are batting very nicely: crisp, positive, decisive, brave.


02:28 PM

OVER 53: PAK 132/5 (Azhar 65* Rizwan 14*)

James Anderson has a silly mid on and a silly mid off, if he's got a plan to wobble it or reverse it or get it to sort of stick in the pitch then great. But it won't work if he bowls it there! Width from Anderson, and Azhar plays a delightful shot, a back cut that beats backward point. Anderson looks furious. I mean more so than he usually does.

England now allow an overthrow due to some wayward throwing/dozing. Ten off the over. This would not be a good time to ask James Anderson to borrow a tenner.


02:23 PM

OVER 52: PAK 122/5 (Azhar 56* Rizwan 13*)

Ooof that is a spicy meatball from Jofra Archer. Bouncer, Rizwan tries to duck but ends up turning his head into the ball. It clatters him on the grille. Horrible ball. Clanging sound as it smashed into the headgear. Doctor checks he is okay. As does Archer, by the way. He's okay to continue. Gutsy. Grins.

Next ball, full, but fair play to Rizwan, he gets on the front foot and he plays that really well. Good duel this.


02:21 PM

OVER 51: PAK 122/5 (Azhar 56* Rizwan 13*)

Anderson guided away for four by Azhar to third man, nicely played. Going well now, the captain.


02:13 PM

OVER 50: PAK 117/5 (Azhar 52* Rizwan 13*)

Azhar cuts Archer for four. Shot of the day. Stung, Archer changes his field, two slips and a gully. Short leg and a man round the corner. And he is charging to the crease now! Bumper. Bumper. Azhar Ali won't be cutting many of them... But now he has drifted onto the pads, Azhar has clipped that away crisply. A second boundary in the over, and that brings up his fifty.


02:10 PM

OVER 49: PAK 109/5 (Azhar 44* Rizwan 13*)

Width from Anderson, clattered away by Rizwan for four. Shot sir!


02:05 PM

OVER 48: PAK 105/5 (Azhar 44* Rizwan 9*)

Jofra! First ball is accurate, then he starts to crank the speedgun. Azhar gets four behind point, but streaky but not a clear edge either, and that's 6,000 Test runs for skipper. Drinks


01:57 PM

OVER 47: PAK 101/5 (Azhar 40* Rizwan 9*)

Rizwan has nicked it! Nice bowling Jimmy - but that has died on its way through and it bumps just in front of Jos. Generally the ball has been carrying through pretty nicely. Just one of those things I guess.


01:55 PM

OVER 46: PAK 101/5 (Azhar 40* Rizwan 9*)

Sun is shining, flood lights are on, dark clouds around the ground. Azhar guides the ball behind point for a couple, and the tourists have limped past 100. Pakistan are fighting well.


01:51 PM

OVER 45: PAK 99/5 (Azhar 38* Rizwan 9*)

James Anderson comes on for a spell. Full, angling it into these two right-handers. Each batsman has a scoring shot off the pads.


01:46 PM

OVER 44: PAK 96/5 (Azhar 37* Rizwan 7*)

A  maiden from Broad. The sixth ball of it hits Rizwan outside the line, but looked a decent LBW shout and would have shaped back into to hi.

Given not out by Richard Illingworth. Broad looks absolutely appalled that he cannot review that. Just as well, it would have cost a review. England have been a bit cavalier with their reviews so far.


01:44 PM

OVER 43: PAK 96/5 (Azhar 37* Rizwan 7*)

Azhar starting to look like he has got the measure of Dom Bess. A hard sweep for four. A good backfoot shot through the offside.

Sir Andrew Strauss and Lord Michael of Holding are having a debate about England's super bowling at home and how it's harder for them away. Given that there is just so much cricket these days, could they explore having a home side and an away side I wonder? Or at least specialists. Why would you not want Broad and Anderson to bowl in conditions like this? It's perverse to do anything otherwise.


01:41 PM

OVER 42: PAK 88/5 (Azhar 29* Rizwan 7*)

Broad with a good dry over: accurate, nothing to hit, in the channel. Thought one kept a bit low.


01:35 PM

OVER 41: PAK 88/5 (Azhar 29* Rizwan 7*)

Bess rips one through Rizwan, there is a shout of catch it but two leg byes are given. The Rizzer looks to have had enough of blocking and poking against Bess, pinging a hard true sweep four four. Bess drops the next one very short and Rizwan helps that along for three more. Zak Crawley the man who hauls it back before the boundary.

The weather forecast is poor for Monday and Tuesday.  I  can understand Rizwan not wanting to be dictated to, but the only play surely is to take as much time out of the game as possible. 


01:31 PM

OVER 40: PAK 79/5 (Azhar 29* Rizwan 0*)

Stuart Broad on for a new spell. Needs a couple of balls to set the table, so to speak, then produces a snorter that beats Azhar Ali outside off.


01:29 PM

OVER 39: PAK 77/5 (Azhar 27* Rizwan 0*)

Bess impressing, bringing Azhar forward, interrogating him with dip and flight. 


01:28 PM

OVER 38: PAK 76/5 (Azhar 26* Rizwan 0*)

Woakes has for sure upped his game, this is a tight and threatening over that keeps the pressure on.


01:17 PM

OVER 37: PAK 75/5 (Azhar 25* Rizwan 0*)

Excellent from Bess. Fawad battled pretty hard, 21 is about 200 fewer runs than they needed from him, but he tried. It brings Rizwan into the fray.

Just watching that Buttler catch again. A very good take, the ball bounced appreciably and Jos, whose confidence must be high you'd imagine, did superbly.


01:15 PM

WICKET! Fawad c Buttler b Bess 21

That is a lovely bit of bowling, classical off-spin dismissal to the left-hander. It pitches, it dips, it rags away and takes the edge as Fawad pokes at it. Smart catch from Jos Buttler as well. Excellent from Bess, lovely to watch and great to see. FOW 75/5

Both flight and bounce did for Fawad there - he was dragged forward, groping for the ball, not really to the pitch of it. With the benefit of hindsight, maybe he'd have played back. Easy game when you've got five replays and a laptop, isn't it?


01:12 PM

OVER 36: PAK 75/4 (Azhar 25* Fawad 21*)

"If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding!" Joe Root screams in the face of Chris Woakes, forcing him to carry on bowling even though he's having an off-day. Not really. But he does persist with Chris. This over is a bit more like it actually, good channel to the RHB Azhar, angled in well on a good length. And now the one that nibbles away. Better over all told.


01:05 PM

OVER 35: PAK 75/4 (Azhar 25* Fawad 21*)

Mike Atherton says that Dom Bess could not really ask for more here: dry pitch, bit of turn, millions of runs on the board, a left-armer in the opposition who has created some footholes...

He's only bowled something like 97 overs in the six Test summer before this spell so, yeah, this is the chance. Useful lengths bringing Fawad forward. Maiden. 

Drinks after a largely quiet 55 minutes of play, with the excitement coming from four rapid Archer overs. Pakistan have played everything pretty well.


01:03 PM

OVER 34: PAK 75/4 (Azhar 25* Fawad 21*)

Woakes has had to give up one of his slips. This over is either too full, too straight, or both. Only two off it in the end but not really looking like taking a wicket at time of writing.


01:01 PM

OVER 33: PAK 73/4 (Azhar 23* Fawad 21*)

That's just one off the Bess over.


01:00 PM

OVER 32: PAK 72/4 (Azhar 22* Fawad 21*)

Those four rapid overs post lunch will be Jofra's lot for a bit. He is replaced by Woakes, who could not find his rhythm or accuracy from the Commentary Box End, and hasn't quite found it from this new end either.


12:52 PM

OVER 31: PAK 70/4 (Azhar 21* Fawad 20*)

Fawad takes all of that over as well, perhaps growing into his innings - he looked like he wanted to be at the non-striker's end wherever possible before lunch! Single off the last ball.


12:50 PM

OVER 30: PAK 69/4 (Azhar 21* Fawad 19*)

This is rapid from Jof! Nothing less than 90mph there. Fawad hurried but he survives, and actually is doing okay. Gets three through midwicket, not entirely timed but at least not letting Archer having it all his owrn way.


12:42 PM

OVER 29: PAK 65/4 (Azhar 21* Fawad 16*)

Dom Bess into the attack, and starts with 5/6ths of an encouraging over. Flights the first one into the breeze. Bit of dip, bit of turn, nicely bowled for five balls. But this one is too short, and Fawad makes no mistake with the cut shot for four.


12:40 PM

OVER 28: PAK 61/4 (Azhar 21* Fawad 12*)

Archer is ramping it up here. He's given the left hander Fawad a working over, 92mph bumper, 93mph short one. Fawad manages to squirt a single past Pope at short leg and needs no second invitation to get off strike. 

Archer is annoyed that Fawad has got away from him and sets about taking that out on Azhar. Rapid ball here! Horrible lifter, it flicks something on the way through. Root, not looking entirely convinced, calls for the review with a second left on the timer. It hasn't hit the gloves, I think it might have flicked his jumper or shoulder maybe. But definitely not out, and England have lost their last review.


12:36 PM

OVER 27: PAK 59/4 (Azhar 20* Fawad 11*)

Couple of minor donations to the Azhar cause from Woakes, two and a one off the legs.


12:30 PM

OVER 26: PAK 56/4 (Azhar 17* Fawad 11*)

Jofra's pace is up, 88mph, not quite the radar to match yet but Fawad is definitely one of those batsmen who makes you think that one good nut might be all it takes. Perhaps that's harsh, the guy certainly has a very impressive record in FC cricket - averaging in the fifties. But that strange shuffle into position surely makes him a candidate for all sorts of modes of dismissal.

England not quite with their A game since lunch yet.


12:28 PM

OVER 25: PAK 56/4 (Azhar 17* Fawad 11*)

Lucky Fawad! He has edged Woakes through the slips there for three ill-gotten runs. The shot before it was through the same region actually, and not especially convincing.


12:26 PM

OVER 24: PAK 49/4 (Azhar 17* Fawad 5*)

Jofra Archer carrying on with his spell. Runs come off the over, when Azhar flicks the ball crisply away off the pads. Four for that. Splendid yorker from Jofra follows that up though, Hit on the pads but going down.


12:15 PM

OVER 23: PAK 45/4 (Azhar 13* Fawad 5*)

Swing away from the right hander there from the first ball. Albeit that it was too wide. Next ball angles in and Azhar nearly chops that on. After some consultation between the umps, that is called a front foot no ball.

Azhar needs a score, not really got anything in the book in the last couple of Tests, and the knives are being sharpened for his captaincy back at home.

Very full from Woakes, slotted it away nicely by Azhar. Great work from Pope keeps that to three, the outfield slowed that up a lot. Fawad survives the one ball.


12:11 PM

The players are back out on the field

Some rather heavy and threatening clouds, which might well help the swing bowling of the admirable Mr Chris Woakes, who has the ball in his hands.

He has the right-hander Azhar Ali in his sights, and he has four slips to help him in his endeavours.

England vs Pakistan, third Test day three: live score and latest updates from Southampton - AP

11:53 AM

Restart should be at 1.10pm

Excellent news if that all comes about, meaning we will barely have lost any time out of the day.


11:44 AM

The teams are taking lunch

sensibly enough.

The hopes that this was just a shower look to be trimmed slightly by the fact that they have got the covers fully on.

I think lunch will be from 1230 to 1310, for those of you playing along at home..


11:20 AM

James Anderson took one wicket this morning

that of Asad Shafiq, hanging the bat out helpfully for James to hit, and giving Joe Root a catch at slip.

Anderson has all four wickets to fall in the innings so far.

Pakistan have added 17 runs today for the lost of that wicket and surely only rain can save them in this match.

PAK 41/4 (Azhar 10* Fawad 5*)  off 22 overs in reply to 583/8 dec


11:16 AM

Rain stops play

Oh no! That seemed to come on quickly. The rain comes, the umpires get the players off. Mikey Holding reckons it is showers, rather than set-in rain. Hope the great man is right.


11:15 AM

OVER 22: PAK 41/4 (Azhar 10* Fawad 5*)

Jofra has four slips as he comes over the wicket to the left-handed Fawad Alam, with his eccentric, open chested stance. He has his back foot well outside the leg stump, he kind of steps across as the bowler get into the delivery stride. 

Fawad is itching to get off strike, he tries to take a quick (farcical) single, Azhar has sent him back. Jofra comes around the wicket for the last ball of the over, touches 90 mph.


11:10 AM

OVER 21: PAK 41/4 (Azhar 10* Fawad 5*)

Good over apart from the last ball, which is straight-up great. Full ball, swings late, Azhar drives loosely and it's just dumb luck that he misses it. James Anderson close to 598 there...

A man with all the talent , if a little bit less experience, is coming on from the other end: Jofra Archer will replace Stuart Broad.

The lights are on..


11:08 AM

Hello everyone

Tyers here, hope you are well and enjoying your Sunday. Certainly I hope you are in better state than Pakistan's reply here, they are in absolute tatters.

Here comes James Anderson.


11:06 AM

OVER 20: PAK 40/4 (Azhar 10* Fawad 4*)

Broad is bounding in but with no success just yet. No surprise, then, to see Jofra Archer beginning to stretch ahead of his first spell today. 

Hands on hips from Broad, who watches Azhar leave a ball on a fullish length. Broad's height means it misses comfortably, but it's enough to get him excited. A maiden. 

Here is my colleague Alan Tyers to take you through the early afternoon.


11:02 AM

OVER 19: PAK 40/4 (Azhar 10* Fawad 4*)

Again, Anderson giving nothing away until the final ball when Fawad clips a straighter ball for a couple. 


10:58 AM

OVER 18: PAK 38/4 (Azhar 10* Fawad 2*)

Azhar picks up another couple with a punch through the covers. Broad's fourth ball is a beauty, angling in and straightening - missing Azhar's outside edge.

 


10:54 AM

OVER 17: PAK 36/4 (Azhar 8* Fawad 2*)

Anderson on the money, Azhar picking up a single with a defensive push. His final balls gets Fawad fishing but it misses the outside edge.


10:50 AM

OVER 16: PAK 35/4 (Azhar 7* Fawad 2*)

Joe Root sticks in a too rarely seen leg slip for Fawad, planting a seed of doubt in the batsman's mind. Broad's second ball finds the outside edge but falls short of Burns at second slip... just. His fourth hits the pads, but far too high - a bit fuller and it would have been closer. Pakistan still 548 behind.


10:46 AM

OVER 15: PAK 32/4 (Azhar 6* Fawad 1*)

Anderson moving the ball away from Fawad, with four slips lined up. But a drop and run brings the Pakistan batsman his first run. The final two balls do not challenge Azhar, who lets them go.


10:42 AM

OVER 14: PAK 32/4 (Azhar 6* Fawad 0*)

Broad gets some seam movement, moving in a touch to Azhar Ali, who picks up a single into leg. 

Fawad's stance, as we saw in the second Test, is facing the square-leg umpire to begin with, before he turns to a move orthodox position by the time Broad bowls. He's across his stumps, though, which may present an LBW opportunity.

Broad's radar drifts slightly down leg, allowing Fawad to pick up a leg-bye. But it's much tighter to Azhar, wraps him on the pads but the umpire says no. Root calls for a TV replay! It looks at first glance as though it is going down leg - and it is. A wasted review.


10:36 AM

OVER 13: PAK 30/4 (Azhar 5* Fawad 0*)

And we're back.

James Anderson bowls his second one-ball spell of the day, this time to new batsman Fawad Alam. A nice inswinger to the left-handed Faward, who keeps it out.


10:30 AM

Not long to go, here

The covers are off, the sun is peeking through, the stumps are back in.

Play will resume at 11.35am.


10:25 AM

Update: The covers are coming off gradually

Shouldn't be too long here. The rain has been very light. The wings of the hover cover, which cover the square, are being rolled up. Will update you as soon as we know a start time.


10:11 AM

And then here comes the rain

The hover cover comes on with it now pouring it down. Another break. But England won't mind too much - they've picked up another in that brief spell of play.

The forecast is improved as the afternoon goes on, so we will get more play today.


10:10 AM

Wicket! Asad c Root b Anderson 5 FOW - 30/4

Anderson again right on the money from ball one, making Azhar play late. If he had missed, it was LBW. The ball is moving into the batsmen nicely, but Azhar uses that to his advantage, glancing the ball to midwicket for a single. 

But then he gets his fourth! A poor shot from Asad Shafiq, really, who plays away from his body, almost guiding the ball to Joe Root at first slip. Anderson has his fourth, Pakistan four down and in real trouble.


10:06 AM

OVER 12: PAK 28/3 (Azhar 4* Asad 4*)

James Anderson starts the day with the one ball left from the 11th over last night, and immediately finds a good line to Asad Shafiq, the new batsman. A single.

Stuart Broad, hair still held in place by a white band, charges in from the other end. Four slips in place, three and four very tight together again. He gets a thick edge from Asad in the third ball, but the ball falls short of backward-point. The next ball is fuller and Asad drives for three.

But the weather looks to be taking a turn, the ground staff charging to the hover cover. A few anxious looks up in the air from the umpires, but we look to be continuing for now. 


10:00 AM

Play to get underway on time

The cover was on until quite late on as a precaution, but England walk out to Jerusalem and we will be seeing play in a minute or so.


09:50 AM

And a word for James Anderson

Last night's brilliant spell takes him within four of 600 Test wickets. Nobody better in those conditions. Can he make it to the Ashes next winter? Should he? Or does it not matter at the moment? Let us know your views in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

England's James Anderson (CR) celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan's Babar Azam on the second day of the third Test cricket match between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton - Getty Images

 


09:40 AM

Jos Buttler: England's long-term No.6?

Tim Wigmore analyses the role of Buttler, who was brilliant in tandem with Crawley on days one and two.

Buttler, in Sky's Player Zone, talks about his improving summer and how practising on-drives has been key, helping him with his balance at the crease.

He also points to time away from cricket in lockdown as key. "I feel like if I get my set-up right, it enables everything else to flow."

England's Jos Buttler walks back to the pavilion after getting out on the second day of the third Test cricket match between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, southern England - Getty Images

 


09:33 AM

More praise for Zak Crawley

And richly deserved, too. Here, Michael Vaughan writes about the benefits of getting talented cricketers into the Test set-up as quickly as possible. Crawley also talks about his innings and whether he was nervous in the 190s yesterday.

Here are some notes on his innings:

 


09:28 AM

Weather update

Frustratingly it's looking a little bleak to begin with today, but clearing up before lunch with prospects of play looking good all afternoon.

I'll let you know if play will start on time shortly.

BBC weather - BBC

 


09:24 AM

Hello and welcome

What an utterly brilliant couple of days for England. First, dominance the bat with Zak Crawley hitting 267 - more than a tenth of his haul of first-class runs - and Jos Buttler with a career best 152. Then James Anderson with the ball, picking up three wickets late on yesterday with Pakistan still 559 runs behind.

England will be hoping for more of the same this morning. We'll be bringing you live coverage of every over throughout the day.


09:15 AM

Day two report

Zak Crawley and Jos Buttler shared a record partnership and James Anderson grabbed three wickets to put England in total control at the close on the second day of the third and final test against Pakistan on Saturday.

Crawley, 22, became the third-youngest England player to make a double century - behind only Len Hutton and David Gower - and went on to 267 before the hosts declared their first innings on 583 for eight in Southampton.

"It's humbling to be on the list of England's top scorers," said Crawley, who also became the seventh England batsman to turn a maiden test hundred into a double ton.

"I don't see myself anywhere near their calibre, hopefully I can build on this."

Anderson then claimed three wickets with the new ball as Pakistan crumbled to 24 for three in reply, leaving England in prime position to win the match and clinch the series 2-0.

Crawley and Buttler (152) negotiated a rain-hit morning session and went on to add 359 runs, surpassing England's previous record fifth-wicket stand of 254 shared by Keith Fletcher and Tony Greig against India in 1973.

Chris Woakes, Dom Bess and Stuart Broad added another 82 runs to help England post their highest total in four years.

"We talk as a side about big first-innings runs. To do that and then the wickets tonight, it's a really great day for us," Buttler said.

"I was very happy to play second fiddle to Zak who was scoring all around the wicket. He made the margin for error very small."

Pakistan lost openers Shan Masood and Abid Ali along with Babar Azam in just under 11 overs.

Anderson claimed all three wickets and is only four short of becoming the first pace bowler to reach the milestone of 600 in tests.

Pakistan need a victory to level the series after England won the opening match in Manchester by three wickets, and the rain-hit second game ended in a draw.

Reuters