James Anderson's wait for 600th Test wicket goes on as Pakistan and weather frustrate England

Just two wickets, and only one of them to James Anderson, fell as England’s charge for victory and the great fast bowler’s search for a 600th Test scalp hit the skids at the Ageas Bowl.

That was thanks to a combination of England’s continued failure to catch well, some torrential rain, a flat pitch and more obdurate batting from Pakistan.

Just 56 overs were possible, either side of a delay that saw a centimetre of rain fall in no time at all. More wet stuff is forecast on Tuesday, so Anderson faces a nervous wait to see if he can become the first quick to 600 Test wickets. England are not due to play another Test until after Christmas, and even then the schedule is uncertain due to coronavirus.

How different things might have been had Jos Buttler clung on to a regulation chance from Shan Masood in Anderson’s third over of the day, as Pakistan followed on.

The ball wobbled a touch, but there was no excuse for Buttler. By now Anderson cracked a smile, because this was the third drop off his bowling in just 37 balls. Rory Burns, Zak Crawley and Stuart Broad were the guilty parties on Sunday evening.

Shan Masood and Abid Ali survived until the rain came, in some style. They remained off the field for three hours.

In the morning session England lost Ollie Pope to a shoulder injury (an issue he suffered in serious fashion 2019), which will require a scan. England are short of bodies, so Assistant Coach Paul Collingwood was prepared to come on for a stint as sub fielder.

Half an hour after the resumption, Broad pinned Masood – who has been dismissed by Anderson eight times – lbw from over the wicket, shouldering arms. The exceptional umpire Michael Gough was the one to raise the finger, and his decision was upheld by DRS, but only just.

Azhar Ali, who made a brilliant unbeaten 143 in the first innings, joined Abid to share a stand of 39 in 26 overs which saw England throw everything at Pakistan – spin, leg theory, line and length, the rest. Jofra Archer bowled nicely, but did not create chances. England still have work to do on flat pitches.

It was when Anderson swapped ends in search of reverse sweep that England finally got their second wicket of the day. He nipped one back at Abid, who was pinned lbw. Again, Gough’s decision was upheld.

Anderson bowled just one more over before poor light meant England had to bowl spin; soon after they were off with the light worsening, then rain falling. It had been a frustrating, attritional day for England. They will return tomorrow, with an individual and collective goal.