Liam Livingstone filled with pride to captain England for the first time

Liam Livingstone will savour a proud moment for his family and hometown of Barrow-in-Furness when he leads England in the series-opening ODI against the West Indies on Thursday.

Captain Jos Buttler’s nagging calf problem which has sidelined him since the end of England’s T20 World Cup in late June means Livingstone will lead an inexperienced group in three ODIs in the Caribbean.

The Cumbrian captained Lancashire in 2018 but resigned after one season when they were relegated in the County Championship although he led the Red Rose to the Vitality Blast quarter-finals last year.

All smiles in Antigua! 😀 🇦🇬 #WIvENG | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/w5ZHNZQBQ9

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 29, 2024

His father and brother will be in attendance when he skippers England for the first time in Antigua, just two months on from being initially dropped from the ODI squad to take on Australia amid dwindling returns, only to barge his way back in following some stellar T20 form and Buttler’s injury setback.

“I take it back to when I was six, seven, eight years old playing in the garden, you’d always pretend you were England captain, so it’s another dream that’s come true for me,” Livingstone said.

“There’s probably not many England captains that come from Barrow-in-Furness so it’s a proud moment for my family and the town where I come from.

“I did a year of captaincy when I was 24 and I think not only for this but for my whole career, it set me up really nicely. It didn’t go all to plan but that’s the thing that matures you pretty quickly.

“Hopefully that year of captaincy will stand me in good stead for the next week.”

Livingstone would not be drawn on his XI for the series opener but suggested he will bat at five in the order, a promotion for him as 25 of his 27 ODI innings to date have been at number six or seven.

Jordan Cox, named as England’s next Test wicketkeeper, plus batting all-rounder Dan Mousley and fast bowler John Turner are poised for debuts in a 16-strong squad where six members are uncapped in ODIs.

Promising leg-spinner Jafer Chohan may feature at some point and Livingstone urged the youngsters to seize the moment in what is the tourists’ penultimate ODI series before next year’s Champions Trophy.

“If somebody comes in and shows something we haven’t already got, they can leapfrog people very quickly,” said Livingstone, who intends to rely on Phil Salt and Sam Curran for advice in the field.

“There’s a lot of untapped talent and we are going to see some of that. Hopefully there will be someone within this group where people say: ‘Remember that series we had in the West Indies when so-and-so made a name for themselves?’

Dan Mousley is poised for his England debut (Steven Paston/PA)

“I have no doubt that someone or even a couple of guys will put their hand forward. The strength in depth we have in English cricket, when you look at the boys we are missing to the squad we’ve still got here is pretty exciting.

“There’s going to be a lot of debuts over the next few weeks. It’s about time we threw them in at the deep end and see what they’re all about.”

Shimron Hetmyer is likely to make his first ODI appearance in nearly 11 months for the Windies, having averaged 11.33 in six innings, with 17-year-old wicketkeeper Jewel Andrew set to make way.

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England v WI talking points: Livingstone the leader and Salt and Pepper time?

England return to the Caribbean for another white-ball series against the West Indies which starts on Thursday with the first of three ODIs.

The tourists are light on star power as the likes of Ben Stokes, Harry Brook and Joe Root miss out due to the recent end to the Pakistan Test trip and the injured Jos Buttler is absent for the ODI series.

Here, the PA news agency looks some of the talking points of the trip which also includes five T20s.

Caribbean fatigue

     
• Liam Livingstone, 30 (ODI caps)

     

• Rehan Ahmed, 6

     

• Jofra Archer, 24

     

• Jacob Bethell, 5

     

• Jafer Chohan, 0

     

• Sam Curran, 32

     

• Jordan Cox, 0

     

• Will Jacks, 12

     

• Saqib Mahmood, 8

     

• Dan Mousley, 0

     

• Jamie Overton, 0

     

• Michael Pepper, 0

     

• Adil Rashid, 140

     

• Phil Salt, 24

     

• Reece Topley, 29

     

• John Turner, 0

England’s third visit to the Caribbean in 11 months amid an unrelenting pre-Christmas itinerary feels especially superfluous.

The well-worn upshot of tours rubbing up against each other – as this one does with the Pakistan Test trip – is some of England’s best players are unavailable for what is their penultimate ODI assignment before the Champions Trophy.

The inexperience of the group is once again highlighted by leg-spinner Adil Rashid being their leading ODI run-scorer and the untried quartet of Dan Mousley, Michael Pepper, John Turner and Jafer Chohan may get the opportunity to strut their stuff.

Livingstone the leader

Liam Livingstone will captain England in Jos Buttler’s injury-enforced absence (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Cricket has had its unpredictable moments in the last few weeks and not many top Livingstone taking temporary charge of England’s ODI team because of Buttler’s nagging calf injury.

It was only a few weeks ago the all-rounder was initially dropped for Australia’s visit only to barge his way back in following a couple of brutish T20 knocks and an injury setback for Buttler.

He capitalised by making the fastest ODI fifty at Lord’s, brutalising the feared Mitchell Starc for 28 in an over.

Livingstone has some captaincy experience in domestic cricket and is now one of the senior heads in the squad.

Will England spice things up?

Michael Pepper seems unlikely to feature unless injury or illness strikes (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Social media was abuzz when Pepper was called up after it was confirmed Buttler would miss the first part of the tour, with speculation rife the Essex wicketkeeper could partner Phil Salt at the top of the order in a dream union for headline writers.

The pair are unlikely to push it together unless injury or illness befalls the camp as Pepper was called up as batting cover for the series.

What about Jafer Chohan?

Jafer Chohan was a surprise call-up for England (Mike Egerton/PA)

Unable to make the grade at Middlesex but handed a second chance at Yorkshire after help from the South Asian Cricket Academy and a recommendation from Joe Root, Chohan was another left-field England choice.

The 22-year-old leg-spinner has shown flashes of potential and has a high ceiling England crave right now.

The fact his professional career has only comprised of 23 T20s has been no obstacle.

It seems unlikely he will get an ODI debut and he may instead be on a watching brief on this tour, learning from one of the best in the business in close friend and Yorkshire team-mate Adil Rashid.

What is in it for the Windies?

Shai Hope captains the West Indies (Gareth Copley/Pool/PA)

While the Champions Trophy is on the horizon for England – and a bolter could emerge from the Caribbean – the West Indies did not qualify for the eight-team tournament scheduled to be held in Pakistan in February and March next year.

Their next staging post is the 2027 World Cup after missing out on the 2023 edition in India but they have a proud home record against England, having not lost to them in their own conditions in any format since March 2019.

Shai Hope, who averages close to 50 in this format, captains the side while Shimron Hetmyer will be looking to provide the firepower after his recall.

Also in the Windies squad is 17-year-old wicketkeeper Jewel Andrew, who has been tipped for big things by Caribbean greats including Viv Richards, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ian Bishop.

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Ben Stokes reveals home was burgled by ‘masked’ gang while family were present

England captain Ben Stokes has appealed for information to find “masked” burglars who broke into his home while his wife and two children were present and stole his OBE among numerous other personal items.

Stokes was in Pakistan on England duty when his house in the Durham village of Castle Eden was broken into on the evening of October 17.

Describing the break-in on his personal X account, Stokes also posted pictures of items stolen from his home.

APPEAL On the evening of Thursday 17th October a number of masked people burgled my home in the Castle Eden area in the North East. They escaped with jewellery, other valuables and a good deal of personal items. Many of those items have real sentimental value for me and my…

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) October 30, 2024

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Jacob Bethell called up for England Test tour of New Zealand

England have called up uncapped spin bowling all-rounder Jacob Bethell for the Test tour of New Zealand as wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith misses out due to paternity leave.

Barbados-born Bethell, who made his T20 and ODI debuts against Australia last month, has only featured in 20 first-class matches and has a modest batting average of 25.44, without a professional century.

We have named our 16-player men’s squad for our series with @BlackCaps #NZvENG | #EnglandCricket

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 29, 2024

However, England have opted for another left-field selection to cover for Smith, who will miss the three-match series which starts on November 28 in Christchurch to be at the birth of his first child.

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Like riding a bike – Jordan Cox unfazed by return to wicketkeeping with England

Jordan Cox sees only the upsides of being England’s wicketkeeper for the Test trip to New Zealand despite being a specialist batter for more than a year.

With Jamie Smith absent from the three-match tour starting in Christchurch on November 28 in order to be present for the birth of his first child, Cox has been chosen to don the gloves and bat at seven.

His last first-class outing juggling the dual demands was in July 2023 as a gruesome finger injury sustained the following month in The Hundred meant he was only available to bat for Essex this summer.

Next Test stop: New Zealand ✈

Thoughts on our squad? 🏏

🇳🇿 #NZvENG 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/WnUHhrgx3d

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 29, 2024

The returns were outstanding as Cox amassed 918 runs at a substantial average of 65.57 in the County Championship, including four centuries for his new county after making the move from Kent last winter.

Having diligently practised his glovework alongside Brendon McCullum in Pakistan recently, Cox is unfazed at his first three Test appearances being in a role he has been unfamiliar with for 15 months.

“Keeping for me is something that I absolutely loved,” he said. “I’ve kept since the age of 11 and then obviously I got that pretty nasty injury in The Hundred, which made me stop keeping for a year.

“Now it’s about building up. I’ve probably had three, four months of keeping again, so not long. But as people say, it’s like riding a bike.

“If you get into the team and you’re a good batter, if you can keep that’s awesome and it’s just another string to your bow. I will try my best to cement some sort of role in that team.”

Cox knows making a splash in New Zealand could give England welcome headaches going forward, with Smith almost certain to regain his spot in time for next summer’s blockbuster series against India.

Cox’s best route into the side long-term could be in the top six, with vice-captain Ollie Pope under the microscope following a boom-or-bust 2024 in which he has amassed three Test hundreds but 11 single-figure scores in 25 innings, while he returned just 55 runs in five knocks in the 2-1 loss to Pakistan.

Pope has been backed by McCullum and Ben Stokes and retained his spot to face the Black Caps, and Cox is aware the vagaries of elite-level cricket means gazing into a crystal ball is worthless.

“It’s professional sport, you never know what will happen,” Cox said.

Ollie Pope has had an up-and-down 2024 (John Walton/PA)

“Let’s say Popey goes and scores three hundreds, let’s say I score a hundred and win the Test match, what happens there?”

While Cox is eager to do well, he does his best to stay pragmatic, an attitude he admitted can come across as “rude or arrogant, or that I don’t really care”.

Having made his T20 debut against Australia last month – an experience he revealed he “can’t really remember” as he “moves on quite quickly” – Cox is poised for his ODI debut in the Caribbean this week.

Cox could bat at three or four in Thursday’s first ODI against the West Indies, with Phil Salt set to keep wicket as Jos Buttler is sidelined for the three-match series due to a nagging calf injury.

England trained for the first time in Antigua on Tuesday and among the attendees was director of men’s cricket Rob Key, who engaged in a long conversation on the outfield with Jacob Bethell – the surprise inclusion in the Test squad to face New Zealand.

Jacob Bethell is in line for a Test debut (Adam Davy/PA)

Barbados-born Bethell, who made his T20 and ODI debuts against Australia last month, has only featured in 20 first-class matches and has a modest batting average of 25.44, with five fifties and no hundreds.

However, England have once again plumped for potential in the Warwickshire all-rounder, who turned 21 last week and offers extra batting and spin cover, having shown glimpses of his talent in two T20s and five ODIs against Australia.

Bethell, Cox and leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed will join the Test team following the end of the Windies tour.

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Phil Salt excited to work under Brendon McCullum in new year

Phil Salt is optimistic Brendon McCullum can get the best out of him when the England Test head coach also assumes control of the white-ball sides.

The parallels between them as ultra-aggressive opening batter-wicketkeepers were remarked upon during Salt’s stint this year with Kolkata Knight Riders, the Indian Premier League franchise McCullum previously played for and coached.

Salt’s astronomical strike-rates in both ODIs and T20s are among the highest of all-time although consistency, especially in the 50-over format, has proved elusive.

Brendon McCullum will become England head coach in all formats from January (John Walton/PA)

But he believes his full potential could be unlocked when he gets to experience the Bazball approach, with McCullum set to take charge of all three England men’s teams from January.

“I really do hope so,” Salt told the PA news agency. “I’ve heard so many good things about Baz from people in franchise cricket and the Test boys – they can’t speak highly enough of him.

“I’m really excited to work with him and see what he’s got for me. When I was at the IPL with KKR, everybody kept saying ‘McCullum this, McCullum that, you’re like this, he’s like that’.”

Salt has already been in dialogue with McCullum, having been mentioned as a contender to take on wicketkeeper-batter duties at the start of the English summer, a position which went to Jamie Smith.

While Smith has excelled in the role, Salt is hopeful he has not missed the boat, even if being so in demand on the T20 franchise circuit leaves little room in the calendar to enhance his Test credentials.

“I had a chat with Baz and he said my time will come and it will be a lot of fun when it happens,” Salt, who averaged in excess of 40 in the 2022 and 2023 County Championship, said.

“Once you’ve had that conversation, your next thing to do is to show them something they’ve not seen and find a little block of red-ball to go bang out the volume of runs.

“The tricky thing for me is the schedule. But hopefully in the future that door is not shut. You want to play all the cricket you can in an England shirt.”

Salt could push his Test claims on the white-ball tour of the West Indies starting on Thursday with the first of three ODIs in Antigua, where he could open the batting alongside Michael Pepper in an ideal union for headline writers.

The 28-year-old is eager to draw a line under a 3-2 defeat by Australia last month after averaging 19.2, albeit on tricky end-of-summer pitches aiding all-time greats Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

Phil Salt averaged 19.2 in five ODIs against Australia (Adam Davy/PA)

“If it gets harder than that, I’d like to see it,” Salt said with a smile. “But I knew I could have done better.”

Salt had been on an exclusive diet of T20s this year up until those five ODIs and he accepted he may need to modify his approach in practice if he is to have success in both formats.

“It’s maybe something I need to look at a bit more, how to keep the tempo and structure of 50-over cricket in my game when personally my schedule is so T20-heavy,” he said.

“I’ve certainly had a refocus on that when I’ve been training; it’s going back to basics and what makes a successful 50-over batter. I’ve got a good opportunity to show that in the West Indies now.”

Salt, right, captained England for the first time against Australia in a T20 series last month (David Davies/PA)

If his position in the ODI side could do with being solidified ahead of next year’s Champions Trophy, there are no doubts about Salt’s place in England’s T20 line-up, having captained them in a 1-1 draw against Australia in the absence of Jos Buttler.

With Buttler’s nagging calf injury ruling him out of the ODIs in the Caribbean and leaving him doubtful for the five-match T20 series which follows, Salt may have to deputise once again.

“I really enjoyed my first go at it,” Salt added. “I think about the game a lot, sometimes maybe too much. Captaincy made me drag it right back to the basics of what the team needed in that moment.”

:: Phil Salt was speaking at the launch of cinch’s new store in Manchester. For more information about cinch, visit https://ift.tt/yYplJ68

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Jacob Bethell called up for England Test tour of New Zealand

England have called up uncapped spin bowling all-rounder Jacob Bethell for the Test tour of New Zealand as wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith misses out due to paternity leave.

Barbados-born Bethell, who made his T20 and ODI debuts against Australia last month, has only featured in 20 first-class matches and has a modest batting average of 25.44, without a professional century.

We have named our 16-player men’s squad for our series with @BlackCaps 🏏#NZvENG | #EnglandCricket

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 29, 2024

However, England have opted for another left-field selection to cover for Smith, who will miss the three-match series which starts on November 28 in Christchurch to be at the birth of his first child.

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‘Incredibly proud’ – Liam Livingstone grateful to be handed England captaincy

Liam Livingstone feels like he has been handed “a new career” as he prepares to captain England for the first time just two months after losing his place in the side.

The dust may barely have settled on England’s Test series defeat in Pakistan but their next assignment is already at hand, as a youthful side begins a white-ball tour of the West Indies.

With Jos Buttler injured, Livingstone has been asked to lead his country in the three-match ODI series which begins in Antigua on Thursday, capping a remarkably swift change in fortunes.

It is only a matter of weeks since he was dropped from the 50-over squad for September’s games against Australia, throwing his future in the format into doubt.

But two big T20 outings against the Australians, coupled with Buttler’s fitness setback, earned him an instant recall and now the 31-year-old finds himself ready to embrace his newly influential role.

“It’s not every day someone tells you you’re going to be England captain, it’s an incredibly proud thing for me,” he told the PA news agency.

“Being left out is all part of professional sport but we’d had a couple of difficult tournaments and maybe I didn’t get out of that rut as quickly as I could have.

“I sat down with Rob Key (managing director of men’s cricket), had a really honest conversation with him and said, ‘All I want is another opportunity and hopefully I can prove you wrong’.

“In the series against Australia, I certainly felt I did that. I’m in a very different place to where I was six or 12 months ago, I feel like a kid, like I’m almost at the start of a new career. I feel like the best of me is still to come.”

Livingstone has often been used as a utility player by England, slotting into the lower middle order and used as an occasional bowler, but as an experienced hand he is increasingly eager to dictate games.

“I’ve always said I know I’m good enough to play for England but maybe I needed more responsibility than I was getting,” he said.

“I don’t think I got that for the last two years; if you’re batting seven and only bowling a couple of overs a game it becomes quite a difficult role for someone who wants to be involved.

Livingstone has been asked to lead his country in the three-match ODI series which begins in Antigua on Thursday (David Davies/PA)

“I feel I’ve worked a few things out with my batting and had a really good end to the summer. Now I’m excited to get a bat back in my hand and prove that I’m a better player than someone who bats at seven. I believe I can do more damage if I face 60 balls rather than 20.”

A big part of Livingstone’s job in the Caribbean will be easing in some of the fresh faces, including the uncapped quartet of Dan Mousley, Michael Pepper, John Turner and Jafer Chohan.

It is a task he is taking seriously and one he feels particularly qualified to take when it comes to Jacob Bethell. The exciting 21-year-old debuted against Australia and showed some thrilling glimpses of his talent.

“I see a lot of myself in Jacob but he’s more talented than I ever was and I’m sure he’ll have a way better career,” he said.

“But I still feel like I can accelerate his learning. I remember speaking to him at Lord’s when we trying to take down Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc, I loved being in the middle with him taking on two of the best bowlers in the world. It’s my job as experienced players to help these guys along and make them as comfortable as possible in this environment.

“I want the next few games to be a hell of a lot of fun, play some good cricket, win some games and then hand the reins back to Jos.”

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‘Incredibly proud’ – Liam Livingstone grateful to be handed England captaincy

Liam Livingstone feels like he has been handed “a new career” as he prepares to captain England for the first time just two months after losing his place in the side.

The dust may barely have settled on England’s Test series defeat in Pakistan but their next assignment is already at hand, as a youthful side begins a white-ball tour of the West Indies.

With Jos Buttler injured, Livingstone has been asked to lead his country in the three-match ODI series which begins in Antigua on Thursday, capping a remarkably swift change in fortunes.

It is only a matter of weeks since he was dropped from the 50-over squad for September’s games against Australia, throwing his future in the format into doubt.

But two big T20 outings against the Australians, coupled with Buttler’s fitness setback, earned him an instant recall and now the 31-year-old finds himself ready to embrace his newly influential role.

“It’s not every day someone tells you you’re going to be England captain, it’s an incredibly proud thing for me,” he told the PA news agency.

“Being left out is all part of professional sport but we’d had a couple of difficult tournaments and maybe I didn’t get out of that rut as quickly as I could have.

“I sat down with Rob Key (managing director of men’s cricket), had a really honest conversation with him and said, ‘All I want is another opportunity and hopefully I can prove you wrong’.

“In the series against Australia, I certainly felt I did that. I’m in a very different place to where I was six or 12 months ago, I feel like a kid, like I’m almost at the start of a new career. I feel like the best of me is still to come.”

Livingstone has often been used as a utility player by England, slotting into the lower middle order and used as an occasional bowler, but as an experienced hand he is increasingly eager to dictate games.

“I’ve always said I know I’m good enough to play for England but maybe I needed more responsibility than I was getting,” he said.

“I don’t think I got that for the last two years; if you’re batting seven and only bowling a couple of overs a game it becomes quite a difficult role for someone who wants to be involved.

Livingstone has been asked to lead his country in the three-match ODI series which begins in Antigua on Thursday (David Davies/PA)

“I feel I’ve worked a few things out with my batting and had a really good end to the summer. Now I’m excited to get a bat back in my hand and prove that I’m a better player than someone who bats at seven. I believe I can do more damage if I face 60 balls rather than 20.”

A big part of Livingstone’s job in the Caribbean will be easing in some of the fresh faces, including the uncapped quartet of Dan Mousley, Michael Pepper, John Turner and Jafer Chohan.

It is a task he is taking seriously and one he feels particularly qualified to take when it comes to Jacob Bethell. The exciting 21-year-old debuted against Australia and showed some thrilling glimpses of his talent.

“I see a lot of myself in Jacob but he’s more talented than I ever was and I’m sure he’ll have a way better career,” he said.

“But I still feel like I can accelerate his learning. I remember speaking to him at Lord’s when we trying to take down Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc, I loved being in the middle with him taking on two of the best bowlers in the world. It’s my job as experienced players to help these guys along and make them as comfortable as possible in this environment.

“I want the next few games to be a hell of a lot of fun, play some good cricket, win some games and then hand the reins back to Jos.”

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Brendon McCullum wants show of support for ‘hurting’ England skipper Ben Stokes

Brendon McCullum called for his England side to “wrap our arms around” captain Ben Stokes after defeat to Pakistan capped a difficult period for the Test captain.

Stokes has proved an intuitive and inspirational leader during two-and-a-half years in charge but head coach McCullum believes the time has come for the dressing room to pick up the slack and show their support.

Since overseeing a 3-0 whitewash of the West Indies in July, Stokes has experienced arguably his most challenging spell since taking over from Joe Root.

Brendon McCullum is confident Ben Stokes (pictured) will bounce back (John Walton/PA)

He suffered a badly torn hamstring during a rare outing in the Hundred, forcing him out of an entire series against Sri Lanka and the innings win in the first Test at Multan.

Having finally completed a demanding rehabilitation programme, he returned in time for Pakistan to hit back with two heavy victories on big turners. Stokes’ own talismanic qualities deserted him as he managed just 53 runs in four innings, and contributed only 10 wicketless overs with the ball.

“We all know how competitive and driven the skipper is, he’ll be hurting right now with how the series has unfolded,” McCullum admitted.

“He’s disappointed, but he’s our skipper and we know he’s a tough b****r. He’ll make sure he comes back and it’s our job to make sure we wrap our arms around him and help him along the way. It’s my job to make sure I’m there to support him.

“That injury was quite a significant injury and he had to work incredibly hard to get back. He put in a lot of graft there and subconsciously that can…not cloud things, but maybe you’re not quite as screwed down as you can be in terms of decision-making.

Beaten in Rawalpindi.

Congratulations to Pakistan on series victory pic.twitter.com/5Z4FlIHY7X

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 26, 2024

“Sometimes as leaders if you do suffer a little bit of disappointment yourself it can be very easy to allow that to permeate through in your messaging to the group. But one thing since Stokesy came on board as captain, he’s been very clear and precise about how he wants his team to play. I think what’s really important is to never flinch with that: stay true to it, even if you’re struggling yourself.”

Stokes was far from alone in under-performing once Pakistan opted to turn the series into trial by spin.

Ollie Pope, Stokes’ vice-captain and the man who deputised during his lay-off, managed a desultory 55 runs in five innings in the key position at number three, dragging his average for the year down to 32.

He has made three centuries in 2024 but has also been dismissed in single figures on 11 occasions. Stokes has already spoken up for his right-hand and McCullum was clear that his spot for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand was not up for grabs.

“Popey is disappointed with his output of runs here, no doubt. But I’ve said it heaps, number three is a tough place to bat,” he said.

Ollie Pope also endured a difficult series against Pakistan (John Walton/PA)

“It wasn’t to be for Popey in this series, but it was only four Tests ago he got a brilliant 150 for us. He stepped up to lead the team really well when the skipper was out and he’s still a really important part for us.

“He’ll benefit from a couple of weeks out and he’ll get another opportunity when we head to New Zealand in conditions where he’ll hopefully be able to flourish.”

After eight Tests in Asia this year – beginning with a 4-1 defeat in India – England are not due to return for a Test series until 2027. And while that may allow them some respite from age-old failings against the turning ball, McCullum believes there are still important lessons to be learned.

“I know we don’t come back to the sub-continent for a couple of years but there’s still times, even in other countries, when we’re presented with spinning wickets,” he said.

“We’ve got to make sure our approach is a little bit more screwed down, a little bit better than it is. That will be some of the conversations we have. Failure sometimes it brings about a little bit of deeper thought and that’s something we’ll have to do over the next little while.”

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What does England need to address in wake of Pakistan defeat?

England lost their penultimate Test series of the year after slipping to a 2-1 defeat on their of Pakistan. Here, PA looks at the key questions they need to address.

Should they have expected to beat Pakistan

On paper, there were plenty of reasons to fancy the tourists. They won 3-0 in their previous visit in 2022 and their opponents had not won a single home Test for over three and a half years, including five defeats in a row under new captain Shan Masood. An innings win in the opener at Multan continued those trends but it took some extreme measures to turn the tide. Pakistan took drastic action to prepare spinning pitches, reusing the same surface in an unprecedented move and then aggressively manipulating the usually benign surface at Rawalpindi to repeat the trick. In those circumstances, England’s prospects were always diminished.

Was Pakistan’s pitch work fair?

It is unheard of for one pitch to host back-to-back Tests within a handful of days and the use of industrial fans, patio heaters and rakes hinted at desperation. But it is hard to argue that conditions were worse than the stubbornly flat track that allowed England to declare on 823 in the first match. The ball turned early and often but it would be a stretch to say the contest between bat and ball was unfair. To their credit, there was barely a murmur of complaint from the England camp.

England’s first-choice spinner Shoaib Bashir (John Walton/PA)

What can England learn from their trial by spin?</h2?>

After losing 4-1 in India at the start of 2024, they have now lost six of their eight games in the sub-continent this year. Put simply, they are not comfortable when the ball is turning and the seamers are pushed to the periphery. England have perhaps become over-reliant on the sweep as a batting unit, using the stroke on a one-size-fits-all basis rather than being selective. But Noman Ali and Sajid Khan comprehensively outbowled the visiting spinners too. Given the lack of assistance from typical English pitches perhaps that is no surprise but surely work must be done to produce more spinning surfaces in county cricket rather than discourage the likes of Somerset.

How secure is Ollie Pope?

Pope has come under increased scrutiny after managing just 55 runs in five innings, underlining his reputation as a skittish starter. He averages 32 this year in the pivotal position of number three, with a hat-trick of fine centuries dragged down by 11 single figure scores. England would be loath to cut their vice-captain, who has led the team four times in the last six Tests, and will surely back him to come good in the upcoming tour of New Zealand. Another quiet series there would be harder to stomach.

How is Shoaib Bashir shaping up?

It was always going to be a punt to anoint such an inexperienced bowler as first-choice spinner, as England did at the start of the summer. Bashir leapfrogged Jack Leach in the Test team despite acting as his understudy at Somerset and their dynamic was intriguing over the past few weeks. Statistically it was a clean sweep for the left-armer, with Leach’s record of 16 wickets at 31.43 far outstripping the off-spinner’s tally of nine wickets at 49.55. He was also used more frequently. But Ben Stokes made a point of referring to the 21-year-old as “our spinner for all conditions”, suggesting he remains number one. Like Pope, he needs to repay that faith with results if he is to hold down his place all the way to the Holy Grail of next winter’s Ashes.

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Brendon McCullum wants show of support for ‘hurting’ England skipper Ben Stokes

Brendon McCullum called for his England side to “wrap our arms around” captain Ben Stokes after defeat to Pakistan capped a difficult period for the Test captain.

Stokes has proved an intuitive and inspirational leader during two-and-a-half years in charge but head coach McCullum believes the time has come for the dressing room to pick up the slack and show their support.

Since overseeing a 3-0 whitewash of the West Indies in July, Stokes has experienced arguably his most challenging spell since taking over from Joe Root.

Brendon McCullum is confident Ben Stokes (pictured) will bounce back (John Walton/PA)

He suffered a badly torn hamstring during a rare outing in the Hundred, forcing him out of an entire series against Sri Lanka and the innings win in the first Test at Multan.

Having finally completed a demanding rehabilitation programme, he returned in time for Pakistan to hit back with two heavy victories on big turners. Stokes’ own talismanic qualities deserted him as he managed just 53 runs in four innings, and contributed only 10 wicketless overs with the ball.

“We all know how competitive and driven the skipper is, he’ll be hurting right now with how the series has unfolded,” McCullum admitted.

“He’s disappointed, but he’s our skipper and we know he’s a tough b****r. He’ll make sure he comes back and it’s our job to make sure we wrap our arms around him and help him along the way. It’s my job to make sure I’m there to support him.

“That injury was quite a significant injury and he had to work incredibly hard to get back. He put in a lot of graft there and subconsciously that can…not cloud things, but maybe you’re not quite as screwed down as you can be in terms of decision-making.

Beaten in Rawalpindi.

Congratulations to Pakistan on series victory 🤝 pic.twitter.com/5Z4FlIHY7X

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 26, 2024

“Sometimes as leaders if you do suffer a little bit of disappointment yourself it can be very easy to allow that to permeate through in your messaging to the group. But one thing since Stokesy came on board as captain, he’s been very clear and precise about how he wants his team to play. I think what’s really important is to never flinch with that: stay true to it, even if you’re struggling yourself.”

Stokes was far from alone in under-performing once Pakistan opted to turn the series into trial by spin.

Ollie Pope, Stokes’ vice-captain and the man who deputised during his lay-off, managed a desultory 55 runs in five innings in the key position at number three, dragging his average for the year down to 32.

He has made three centuries in 2024 but has also been dismissed in single figures on 11 occasions. Stokes has already spoken up for his right-hand and McCullum was clear that his spot for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand was not up for grabs.

“Popey is disappointed with his output of runs here, no doubt. But I’ve said it heaps, number three is a tough place to bat,” he said.

Ollie Pope also endured a difficult series against Pakistan (John Walton/PA)

“It wasn’t to be for Popey in this series, but it was only four Tests ago he got a brilliant 150 for us. He stepped up to lead the team really well when the skipper was out and he’s still a really important part for us.

“He’ll benefit from a couple of weeks out and he’ll get another opportunity when we head to New Zealand in conditions where he’ll hopefully be able to flourish.”

After eight Tests in Asia this year – beginning with a 4-1 defeat in India – England are not due to return for a Test series until 2027. And while that may allow them some respite from age-old failings against the turning ball, McCullum believes there are still important lessons to be learned.

“I know we don’t come back to the sub-continent for a couple of years but there’s still times, even in other countries, when we’re presented with spinning wickets,” he said.

“We’ve got to make sure our approach is a little bit more screwed down, a little bit better than it is. That will be some of the conversations we have. Failure sometimes it brings about a little bit of deeper thought and that’s something we’ll have to do over the next little while.”

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Pakistan ‘found Bazball’s kryptonite’ as they put England into a spin

Nasser Hussain believes Pakistan “found the kryptonite to Bazball” during their series victory over England.

England were beaten by nine wickets before lunch on day three of the deciding Test after being spun out for 112.

Pakistan sealed victory in just 19 balls and finished in style with a huge six from captain Shan Masood.

Pakistan “found Bazball’s kryptonite”

Nasser Hussain reflects on England’s meek series loss to jubilant hosts in Rawalpindi pic.twitter.com/0QJIN6UXba

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 26, 2024

England’s loss came after posting a mammoth 823 for seven declared on a flat pitch in the opening Test in Multan before being found wanting on spinning pitches in the final two matches of the series.

Former England captain Hussain said in his role as a Sky Sports pundit: “Congratulations to Pakistan for making that change.

“You felt they needed to – they lost six Tests in a row, Shan Masood himself had lost all six as captain, they were going nowhere, the fans and supporters were not happy.

“So they made a real, drastic change, new selectors, different pitches completely – as in they used the Multan pitch again, complete turner, came here, made it turn – and they found the kryptonite to Bazball.

“They have spinners of the highest quality. And they have players that play spin really well. So why wouldn’t you play on turning pitches? And what it’s done is it’s exposed England when the ball does spin.

“When it spins and when it’s gripping, England don’t play spin as well or bowl spin as well as Pakistan.”

Beaten in Rawalpindi.

Congratulations to Pakistan on series victory pic.twitter.com/5Z4FlIHY7X

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 26, 2024

And Hussain believes there should be concern over England’s performances over the series.

“Because the pitches have been so different from the first Test to the second and third, there’s no doubting scores should go down and spinners should go up,” he said.

“But the discrepancy with England is a concern, it shouldn’t be so drastic that you play so well on flat pitches and you can hit through the line, and the moment it then grips you can’t play like that, so you’re then a little bit lost.

“Three of your top six seem to be lost in those conditions.”

Hussain feels England’s struggles in Asia could be because the Test team’s main focus is always on winning the Ashes in Australia.

“All you ever hear about is the Ashes, the Ashes away,” Hussain added.

“We play so many series away before the Ashes, the conditions here are so different from Australia.

“So even someone like Zak Crawley, Zak’s position should come under threat, but when I say that people say ‘he’ll be alright in Australia’.

“That doesn’t matter here this month, how’re you going to play this month?

“It can’t all be about one series every four years away from home. You’re almost not taking Pakistan or India seriously, you’ve got to be across the board.”

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England thrashed by Pakistan in Test series decider

England crashed to a thumping series defeat against Pakistan after being knocked over with embarrassing ease on the third morning of a one-sided decider in Rawalpindi.

They imploded for just 112 as their resolve evaporated in the third Test, the lowest total of the ‘Bazball’ era leaving the hosts a meagre target of just 36.

Pakistan knocked off a nine-wicket win in disdainful fashion, taking just 19 balls and finishing with a huge six from captain Shan Masood, leaving England to stomach losing a three-match series from 1-0 up for the first time.

It already seems an age ago that England racked up a massive 823 for seven declared on a flat deck in Multan, their highest score in 94 years, and it has taken extreme spinning conditions to produce such a dramatic change.

The manner in which Pakistan have artificially aged the last two pitches with fans, heaters and perhaps even rakes has raised eyebrows but back-to-back thrashings against a side who had not won a home Test, let alone a series, since early 2021 still represents a significant setback.

Once again Pakistan’s spin duo of Sajid Ali and Noman Ali were the destroyers, sharing all 10 wickets and taking their combined tally to 39 from 40 since being recalled for the second Test. Only a solitary scalp from Zahid Mahmood spoiled their prospects of a full house.

Yet England were manifestly not up to task, with skipper Ben Stokes aptly ending his innings on his knees after being trapped lbw offering no stroke.

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Pakistan vs England: Score and match updates from day three of third Test

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England’s progress halted by Saud Shakeel century

An unbeaten century from Saud Shakeel loosened England’s grip on the series deciding third Test against Pakistan, after Rehan Ahmed’s three-wicket burst put the tourists ahead on the second morning in Rawalpindi.

Ahmed appeared to swing the game heavily in England’s favour when he dismissed Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal in a crucial spell before lunch, but Shakeel had other plans.

Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith put down a tricky chance in the fifth over of the day to reprieve Shakeel on 26 and he took full advantage by grinding his way to 107 not out.

Pakistan wiped out an 80-run deficit to take tea level pegging on 267 for eight, with Shoaib Bashir having just ended a stand of 88 with tailender Noman Ali.

There was nothing flashy or showmanlike about Shakeel’s innings, with just four boundaries in almost four-and-a-half hours at the crease, but his meticulous accumulation altered the complexion of the match.

His life came in the fifth over of the day, nicking a neat turning delivery from Bashir and seeing the ball ricochet out of Smith’s gloves as he stepped up at the stumps. It was Smith’s buccaneering 89 that dragged England’s first innings back from the brink on day one but, for the second match in a row, he saw an important chance slip free.

The fourth-wicket partnership pressed along to 53, adding to the fielding side’s frustration, but Bashir eventually unpicked the left-handed Shan Masood courtesy of a smart low catch from Ollie Pope at second slip.

Shakeel continued to hold England off and moved to a solid half-century from 92 balls when he swept Bashir to the boundary and with Rizwan showing greater intent, Pakistan trimmed the lead to 116.

Enter Ahmed, held in reserve for 24 overs only to strike with with his ninth ball as Rizwan hit fresh air with a sweep to go lbw. Eight months after his previous cap the 20-year-old made sure to add to his impact, prising out new man Salman in the next over by winning a tighter verdict from the umpire.

By now the youngster was on a roll, foxing Jamal with a googly that darted in from outside off and bowled the all-rounder via an inside edge.

Pakistan had gone from 151 for four to 187 for seven by lunch but Shakeel had dug himself in. After an extended first session for Friday prayers a shortened afternoon belonged to Shakeel. He tucked, steered and nudged ones and twos at will as he compiled his hundred in 181 balls, with Noman frustrating England by holding up his end.

A first ball for part-time spinner Joe Root almost did for him, Ben Stokes just unable to make a diving catch at slip, and Bashir finally ended the partnership in the last over before tea as he trapped Noman in front of middle.

Pakistan brought the scores exactly level off the penultimate delivery as Shakeel tapped another single.

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England captain Ben Stokes braced for spin battle in decisive third Test

England captain Ben Stokes may have wondered whether Pakistan employed ground staff or gardeners ahead of the decisive third Test at Rawalpindi after concluding the hosts had been raking the pitch to assist their spinners.

Patio-style heaters, windbreaks and industrial fans have been used in recent days to bake the surface and replicate the turning conditions that helped Pakistan square the series on a reused wicket in Multan last week.

England had their first look at the track on Tuesday morning and were surprised to find uneven ridges at both ends, positioned on a good length and thought to be the result of extra attention from the team of curators working under Australian Tony Hemming.

Industrial fans have been used to help prepare the pitch in Rawalpindi (Anjum Naveed/AP).

Stokes appeared relaxed about Pakistan’s use of home advantage, with England attempting to fight fire with fire by recalling Rehan Ahmed as part of a three-pronged spin attack.

The leg-spinner joins slow left-armer Jack Leach and off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the XI, with seamer Gus Atkinson also back as Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts stand down.

But the toss once again looks to be vital, with England expecting things to happen in a hurry once cracks open up and the surface deteriorates.

“It’s pretty obvious there’s been a few rakes put across it. It will be interesting to see how it goes,” Stokes said.

“I’ve never been a groundsman, but you’d think a rake would assist the spin. You look down it and we can have a pretty good guess which ends the Pakistan spinners will operate from.

“There’s not too much grass to hold everything together, (with) a couple of days’ traffic on there, foot holes and stuff like that. But it’s good, isn’t it?”

Batter Harry Brook made similar observations, adding with a smile: “They’ve had the rakes out, the fans and the heaters on the pitch.

“It’s interesting and it’s unique. I’d say it will be a good pitch for the first day, two days maybe, then it will start spinning. God knows, to be honest.”

The main beneficiary of the home side’s methods is Ahmed, who has been drafted in for his first appearance in eight months to help turn the tables on Pakistan.

He became England’s youngest ever men’s Test player in the final match of the 2022 series, taking the field in Karachi at the age of 18 years and 126 days and celebrating with a five-wicket haul in the second innings.

Now 20, he has earned just four further caps but is seen as a wildcard option who can help make things happen.

“Adding Rehan’s free spirit and desperation to change the game every time he’s got the ball in his hand is a massive bonus for us this week,” said Stokes.

Locked in: Our XI for the final Test pic.twitter.com/RNn82j4ZD4

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 22, 2024

“Leg-spinners have an amazing ability to break a game open. The way Leachy and Bash have bowled has been fantastic in these first two Tests…you’ve got your slow left-arm spinner, your off-spinner and then you want to pick someone who isn’t a luxury, but someone who’s there to be able to break things open when you feel like it might be coming a little bit too easy at one end.

“You’d rather have that and not need it than need it and not have it.”

Tilting the balance of the side towards spin means room for only one frontline quick alongside Stokes, the all-rounder, and the shirt reverts to Atkinson.

England resisted the temptation to stick with newcomer Carse after a pair of exciting performances in Multan, instead keeping with their rotation policy in taxing temperatures.

“He’s had two amazing Tests, but it’s hard toil playing two Tests back to back, especially in the role he’s been used,” Stokes explained.

“He’s got a little bit of a sore, bruised heel, but that wasn’t the deciding factor. You look at the workload he’s put through his body in the last two Tests in particular and, with us opting for the extra spinner, the reason he’s not playing is more the make-up of the team.”

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Rehan Ahmed strikes three times to put England in driving seat in Rawalpindi

Rehan Ahmed snatched three quick wickets as England wrestled control on the second morning of the series-deciding third Test against Pakistan.

The leg-spinner, who has waited patiently for eight months since his last cap, made sure to leave his mark by prising out Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal.

Pakistan were making steady progress at 144 for four when Ahmed entered the equation but reached the lunch break 80 runs behind on 187 for seven in Rawalpindi.

Saud Shakeel was holding the fort with a measured 72 not out but Ahmed’s three for 25 held sway.

As expected, England started with spin at both ends in the form of Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir.

Shakeel was given a life in the fifth over, nicking the off-spinner only for Jamie Smith to squander the chance behind the stumps.

It was Smith’s buccaneering 89 that dragged England’s first innings back from the brink on day one but, for the second match in a row, his glovework left room for improvement.

The fourth-wicket partnership pressed along to 53, adding to the fielding side’s frustration, but Bashir eventually unpicked the left-handed Shan Masood courtesy of a smart low catch from Ollie Pope at second slip.

It was a well-earned success for the 21-year-old but England’s only one in an opening hour that Pakistan seemed content to end in stalemate.

Rizwan attempted to speed things along after drinks, swiping Leach for six then threading Gus Atkinson for four as the seamer entered the attack.

Shakeel continued to hold England off and moved to a solid half-century from 92 balls when he swept Bashir to the boundary.

Pakistan continued to trim the lead, which was down to 116 by the time Ahmed forced his way into the conversation.

Having been held in reserve for 24 overs, he struck with his ninth ball – Rizwan hitting fresh air with a sweep as it skipped through and trapped him lbw.

If that wicket left things back in the balance, then another in Ahmed’s next over tightened England’s grip.

It was another lbw call in the bowler’s favour, once again Pakistan burning a review along the way, and the sight of Salman – a thorn in England’s side over the course of the series – disappearing for just one felt significant.

By now Ahmed was on a roll, foxing Jamal with a googly that darted in from outside off and bowled the all-rounder via an inside edge.

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Pakistan vs England: Score and match updates from day two of third Test

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David Warner’s lifetime leadership ban lifted by Cricket Australia

The lifetime leadership ban that was imposed on David Warner following his involvement in Australia’s ball-tampering scandal has been lifted effective immediately, Cricket Australia (CA) announced.

In a unanimous decision, an independent three-member review panel determined that Warner had met the necessary criteria to have the ban lifted.

In 2018, Warner was banned from holding leadership roles in all Australian cricket competitions after being charged by CA with devising a plan to change the condition of the ball using sandpaper during a Test against South Africa.

The ban was lifted after Warner lodged an appeal with CA, with the review panel noting in its decision the “content” and “respectful and contrite tone of his (Warner’s) responses”.

Warner bowed out of Test cricket in January, but said this week he would be willing to u-turn on the decision if needed (Adam Davy/PA)

The panel said it came to a “unanimous view that he was sincere and genuine in acknowledging responsibility for the conduct and in his statement that he had extreme remorse for his conduct”.

The panel also considered references citing “the contribution that Mr Warner has made, and can make in the future, towards the development of young cricketers in Australia if they were given the opportunity to be led by Mr Warner, his important continuing role in fostering interest in cricket especially with the South Asian community in Australia and generally”.

Warner bowed out of Test cricket in January after 112 appearances and 8,786 runs at a fine average of 44.59, with his final Test at his home ground in Sydney as Australia defeated Pakistan.

However, the 37-year-old said earlier this week he would be willing to u-turn on his Test retirement and fill Australia’s problem opening position for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, commencing in Perth on November 22.

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Jamie Smith leads England fightback after Pakistan put them in a spin

Jamie Smith unleashed a barrage of sixes to power England’s fightback in the series-deciding third Test against Pakistan, helping his side to 242 for eight on day one in Rawalpindi.

England looked ready to roll over at 118 for six, their middle order hollowed out by spin, but Smith’s flamboyant knock of 89 steered the tourists away from calamity.

He cleared the boundary six times in a display of expertly controlled aggression before skying another big swing off Zahid Mahmood just before the tea break.

Smith led a stand of 107 with Surrey team-mate Gus Atkinson to repair some of the earlier damage but England will still feel vulnerable after failing to make the most of batting first on a dubious surface.

Pakistan found plenty of turn from a pitch that had been dried, baked and raked in the build-up to assist the spinners and one ball shot through unplayably low to remove Ben Duckett for 52.

The touring team had predicted the surface would start flat and deteriorate as the game progressed, leaving Ben Stokes visibly delighted to bat first after ending England’s seven-match losing streak at the toss.

Pakistan picked up exactly where they had left off in the second Test, pairing Sajid Khan and Noman Ali from the start with not even a cursory look at their solitary seamer Aamer Jamal. They would bowl unchanged for the first 42 overs.

England made steady progress to start, Zak Crawley and Duckett posting 56 in 14 overs – a red herring of a partnership given what was around the corner. The latter survived an lbw shout on 20, though there was a warning flag when DRS showed the ball had been spinning too sharply and was missing leg stump.

Crawley (29) could not blame excessive turn for his dismissal though, looking to punch Noman through extra-cover but only getting half forward as he carved a simple catch to backward point.

That breakthrough appeared to tip the balance in Pakistan’s favour, with Pope and Root picked apart by Sajid.

Pope’s lean series continued as he fell for three – lbw on the sweep as he went over the top – but Root’s downfall hurt the most. England’s most accomplished player of spin was pinned dead in front of the stumps as Sajid got a delivery to rip back aggressively from the ridges outside off.

Duckett nudged past his half-century before getting a shin-high shooter from Noman that scuttled into his front pad, while Harry Brook lost his leg stump to Sajid reaching for an ill-judged sweep.

By then England had lost four for 28 and looked in serious danger. Smith’s first triumph was reaching the lunch interval unscathed alongside Stokes but the captain did not linger long. Attempting to smoother Sajid at the start of the afternoon session, he was beaten on the outside edge and taken at slip.

Smith and Atkinson carefully stopped the rot but the pace picked once the England keeper decided he was settled. His first four sixes all came against Sajid, lining up the off-spinner and launching him over midwicket or back down the ground.

Saud Shakeel might have caught him on 54 had he not wandered in from the boundary but Smith was unbowed. He smashed Mahmood for two more in three balls and went again moments later. This time Sajid was underneath it at long-off, twice holding the catch and twice offloading it as his momentum carried him over the rope.

Smith was not interested in playing for tea and departed 11 short of a richly-deserved century, swiping a top-edge straight up to give the leg-spinner a moment of respite.

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Pakistan have England in a spin on first morning of deciding Test

England’s top order fell apart on the first morning of the series deciding third Test against Pakistan, tumbling to 110 for five in Rawalpindi.

Facing the familiar duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, the spinners who shared all 20 wickets in their side’s victory in Multan, the tourists once again came up short against the turning ball.

Ben Duckett managed 52 before being undone by a shin-high shooter but his was the only real resistance on a surface that the hosts have cooked, baked and raked in the build-up.

At one stage Pakistan took four for 28, leaving them in control after the first session.

The touring team had predicted the surface would start flat and deteriorate as the game progressed, leaving Ben Stokes visibly delighted to bat first after ending England’s seven-match losing streak at the toss.

Pakistan picked up exactly where they had left off in the second Test, pairing Sajid and Noman from the start with not even a cursory look at their solitary seamer Aamer Jamal. They would bowl unchanged until lunch.

England made steady progress to start, bringing up their 56 in 14 overs – a red herring of a partnership given what was around the corner. The openers briefly switched roles, Zak Crawley nailing a couple of a sweeps early on, while Duckett used his feet to hit over the top.

The latter survived an lbw shout on 20, though there was a warning flag when DRS showed the ball had been spinning too sharply and was missing leg stump.

Crawley (29) could not blame excessive turn for his dismissal though, looking to punch Noman through extra-cover but only getting half forward as he carved a simple catch to backward point.

That breakthrough appeared to tip the balance in Pakistan’s favour as chances began to come thick and fast. Duckett came within a couple of inches of picking out mid-off on 34 but outlived both Pope and Root, who were picked apart by Sajid.

Pope’s lean series continued as he fell for three, lbw on the sweep as he went over the top, but Root’s downfall hurt the most. England’s most accomplished player of spin was pinned dead in front of the stumps as Sajid got a delivery to rip back aggressively from ridges outside off.

Duckett nudged past his half-century before getting a near unplayable ball from Noman that scuttled through impossibly low, while Harry Brook lost his leg stump to Sajid reaching for an ill-judged sweep.

Stokes and Jamie Smith managed to reach the break but had plenty to do to recover a tricky position.

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England in dire straits after Pakistan spinners rip through top order in third Test

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England add Rehan Ahmed and Jordan Cox to white-ball squad

Rehan Ahmed and Jordan Cox have been added to England’s white-ball squad for the forthcoming tour of the West Indies.

Leg-spinner Ahmed has been picked for the third Test in Pakistan and will transfer directly from Rawalpindi to the Caribbean once the match is complete.

Wicketkeeper-batter Cox has not featured in the series and has been released immediately.

🚨 Squad Update 🚨

𝗝𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘅 – Jordan will leave at the end of today’s play and head home to the UK, before joining our white-ball tour of the Caribbean.

𝗥𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗱 – Rehan will also join the white-ball squad at the end of this Test match. pic.twitter.com/BQmkpi018O

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 24, 2024

He is expected to be available for all three ODIs, but not the subsequent T20 leg as he prepares for the next Test trip to New Zealand.

England play the first ODI in Antigua next Thursday with Liam Livingstone set to captain the side for the first time.

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Ben Stokes hopes ‘good vibes’ can propel England to series-deciding win

Ben Stokes hopes a late injection of “good vibes” helps England throw off the shackles and wrap up their series-decider against Pakistan.

The teams arrived in Rawalpindi locked at 1-1 after trading wins in Multan and will go head to head over the next five days looking to score a knockout blow.

But there was no hint of growing pressure as the tourists kicked off their final practice session with a raucous six-hitting competition on the outfield.

Ben Stokes bats during a relaxed six-hitting session (Anjum Naveed/AP)

With assistant coach Paul Collingwood providing the throwdowns, the players took it in turns trying to clear the ropes and were eliminated one by one until only two remained.

Rehan Ahmed edged Harry Brook in a best of three finale, celebrating his recall to the side after eight months with a sweet straight hit and the all-important bragging rights.

With Pakistan sharing the same training slot and watching on from the other end of the ground, there may also have been a sense of showmanship as the ball disappeared repeatedly into the stands, but Stokes insisted it was all about setting the mood.

Rehan Ahmed smokes one to win England’s end of tour six-hitting comp in Rawalpindi.Harry Brook gets silver. pic.twitter.com/GkWAopMDcb

— Rory Dollard (@thervd) October 23, 2024

“Rehan wasn’t the odds-on favourite but he was happy to walk away with the trophy,” said the captain.

“It was the last training session of a long tour, we just tried to change it up and get the good vibes going.

“It’s been Groundhog Day over and over again, cricket ground and hotel, cricket ground and hotel. we just tried to change it up.”

Stokes, meanwhile, came up short in a one-on-one contest with head coach Brendon McCullum, the man he replaced as Test cricket’s record six-hitter.

“I’m nought from two against Baz in the six-hitting competition but I’ll just keep getting my tally higher and higher and further away from him. I’m still 20-odd ahead, so it’s fine,” he said.

Jason Gillespie thinks England face a tough examination in the Ashes (Mike Egerton/PA)

The bonhomie did not go unnoticed in the opposition camp, with Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie noting an unusually easy-going group of players.

Former Australia seamer Gillespie enjoyed many tussles with England over the years and watched the national side with close interest during stints in charge of Yorkshire and Sussex.

But while he is impressed by the attitude of the current group, he warned their stated ambition of reclaiming the Ashes next winter is still an outside bet.

“In my time in cricket, I’m not sure if I’ve seen a more relaxed, happy environment from an England squad,” he said.

“They look like they’re having a lot of fun, they look like they’re all aligned. I still think Australia, in Australia, is a pretty tough assignment. There’s not many teams that go there and dominate, so I think it’s a big mountain to climb.

“But I think we know how England are going to approach the Ashes. They’re not going to die wondering.

“England have got nothing to lose. Everyone will assume Australia will come out on top and that probably works in England’s favour because they can just go out there and play and be positive and try to ruffle a few feathers.”

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England captain Ben Stokes braced for spin battle in decisive third Test

England captain Ben Stokes may have wondered whether Pakistan employed ground staff or gardeners ahead of the decisive third Test at Rawalpindi after concluding the hosts had been raking the pitch to assist their spinners.

Patio-style heaters, windbreaks and industrial fans have been used in recent days to bake the surface and replicate the turning conditions that helped Pakistan square the series on a reused wicket in Multan last week.

England had their first look at the track on Tuesday morning and were surprised to find uneven ridges at both ends, positioned on a good length and thought to be the result of extra attention from the team of curators working under Australian Tony Hemming.

Industrial fans have been used to help prepare the pitch in Rawalpindi (Anjum Naveed/AP).

Stokes appeared relaxed about Pakistan’s use of home advantage, with England attempting to fight fire with fire by recalling Rehan Ahmed as part of a three-pronged spin attack.

The leg-spinner joins slow left-armer Jack Leach and off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the XI, with seamer Gus Atkinson also back as Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts stand down.

But the toss once again looks to be vital, with England expecting things to happen in a hurry once cracks open up and the surface deteriorates.

“It’s pretty obvious there’s been a few rakes put across it. It will be interesting to see how it goes,” Stokes said.

“I’ve never been a groundsman, but you’d think a rake would assist the spin. You look down it and we can have a pretty good guess which ends the Pakistan spinners will operate from.

“There’s not too much grass to hold everything together, (with) a couple of days’ traffic on there, foot holes and stuff like that. But it’s good, isn’t it?”

Batter Harry Brook made similar observations, adding with a smile: “They’ve had the rakes out, the fans and the heaters on the pitch.

“It’s interesting and it’s unique. I’d say it will be a good pitch for the first day, two days maybe, then it will start spinning. God knows, to be honest.”

The main beneficiary of the home side’s methods is Ahmed, who has been drafted in for his first appearance in eight months to help turn the tables on Pakistan.

He became England’s youngest ever men’s Test player in the final match of the 2022 series, taking the field in Karachi at the age of 18 years and 126 days and celebrating with a five-wicket haul in the second innings.

Now 20, he has earned just four further caps but is seen as a wildcard option who can help make things happen.

“Adding Rehan’s free spirit and desperation to change the game every time he’s got the ball in his hand is a massive bonus for us this week,” said Stokes.

🔒Locked in: Our XI for the final Test pic.twitter.com/RNn82j4ZD4

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 22, 2024

“Leg-spinners have an amazing ability to break a game open. The way Leachy and Bash have bowled has been fantastic in these first two Tests…you’ve got your slow left-arm spinner, your off-spinner and then you want to pick someone who isn’t a luxury, but someone who’s there to be able to break things open when you feel like it might be coming a little bit too easy at one end.

“You’d rather have that and not need it than need it and not have it.”

Tilting the balance of the side towards spin means room for only one frontline quick alongside Stokes, the all-rounder, and the shirt reverts to Atkinson.

England resisted the temptation to stick with newcomer Carse after a pair of exciting performances in Multan, instead keeping with their rotation policy in taxing temperatures.

“He’s had two amazing Tests, but it’s hard toil playing two Tests back to back, especially in the role he’s been used,” Stokes explained.

“He’s got a little bit of a sore, bruised heel, but that wasn’t the deciding factor. You look at the workload he’s put through his body in the last two Tests in particular and, with us opting for the extra spinner, the reason he’s not playing is more the make-up of the team.”

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England recall Rehan Ahmed in three-spinner line-up for third Test in Pakistan

England have recalled Rehan Ahmed as part of a three-pronged spin attack for the series-deciding third Test against Pakistan.

Ahmed joins slow left-armer Jack Leach and off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, with the tourists seemingly prepared for another turning track.

The pitch at Rawalpindi is renowned as a flat batting paradise but Pakistan have left it baking in the sun over the last three days and employed the same industrial fans they used to dry out the surface ahead of the second Test.

Over the weekend, patio-style heaters and windbreaks were also utilised to speed the process.

We’ve named three spinners to face Pakistan in the final Test 👀

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 22, 2024

England’s decision to add Ahmed to their bowling options suggests they believe spin will be the decisive factor, with Gus Atkinson returning as the sole specialist seamer backed up by captain and all-rounder Ben Stokes.

Durham quicks Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts drop out of the XI.

England batter Harry Brook made it clear that the work of the groundstaff had not gone unnoticed by his side, who are understood to have noted uneven ridges located on a good length.

“They’ve had the rakes out, the fans and the heaters on the pitch,” he said with a smile.

Harry Brook, pictured during a press conference in Rawalpindi on Tuesday (Anjum Naveed/AP)

“It’s interesting and it’s unique. Hopefully, it’ll be a nice pitch for the first couple of days and then we’re expecting it to turn at the back end of the game.

“I’d say it will be a good pitch for the first day, two days maybe, then it will start spinning. God knows, to be honest. Everyone goes to look at the wicket and everyone says something different.

“Their spinners are obviously going to play a massive part this week. I’ve spoken to a few lads about game-plans and how we’ll go about it. Hopefully that pays off and I can play a big part in the game too.”

The match represents a big opportunity for Ahmed, who became England’s youngest ever men’s Test player in the corresponding fixture in 2022, taking the field in Karachi at the age of 18 years and 126 days.

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A post shared by Rehan Ahmed (@rehanahmed__16)

He marked the occasion with a five-wicket haul on debut and added three further caps on the tour to India earlier this year. He has yet to play outside the sub-continent, where England are not scheduled to play again until early 2026.

He comes into the game with a strong record of 18 wickets in four games and happy memories of that first outing in Karachi.

“He’s an outstanding cricketer – not just his bowling, but his batting and fielding,” Brook said of the 20-year-old.

“He’s a young lad so he has a lot of time to come. He got five-for in his last Test here, so hopefully he can do that again.”

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Pecking order not important to Jack Leach as he enjoys England return

Jack Leach insists fighting to reclaim his status as England’s number-one spinner is “not important” after a summer of introspection helped rekindle his love of the game.

Leach lost his first-choice spot to Somerset colleague Shoaib Bashir earlier this year, having initially surrendered his grip when a knee injury forced him out of the tour to India.

The pair have played in tandem during this month’s series in Pakistan, which goes to a third Test decider in Rawalpindi on Thursday, but Leach, a dozen years older at 33, has again looked like the senior man.

The left-armer has 14 wickets at 26.50 compared to Bashir’s record of six at 51.16 and is the only bowler from either side to be trusted with more than 100 overs so far.

Shiny head 🤝 Shiny ball pic.twitter.com/2yqEESpaeu

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 15, 2024

Should he impress again this week it could test the conviction of the England selectors but Leach himself is unmoved by the idea of striving for supremacy with his Taunton team-mate.

“For me it’s all about the team. I’m maybe at an age where that’s all that really matters to me,” he said.

“They haven’t said either way and, for me, that’s not important at the moment. It’s all about coming out here and trying to contribute. Whether you’re playing as that first or second spinner, it doesn’t matter.

“You’re both working together and trying to do well for the team. That (pecking order) is not really in my thoughts. I don’t know whether that will ever happen for me but that’s not the most important thing.

“Whereas before it was maybe ‘I just want wickets, I need wickets’, maybe it’s a slightly different mindset now.”

Leach’s relaxed outlook comes on the back of a season in the trenches of county cricket, time he spent rebuilding his enthusiasm for the sport.

Having wrestled with form, fitness, illness and injury during his time in the international arena, he used his demotion by England as a chance to reassess.

“I was disappointed but I felt very clear on what I needed to do: my goal for the summer was to just enjoy the game of cricket and try to do my best for whoever I was playing for,” he said.

“When you have those kind of setbacks – the injuries I had in India – another one is not too bad to deal with. (I wanted) to really enjoy my cricket with Somerset and learn to love the game a bit more again.

“I just felt like I needed to rediscover that kid-like mentality of why you play the game. You have that on the journey up to playing for England, that nothing-to-lose mentality. Then it’s, ‘I’m here now, I want to keep that’.

Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir are England’s spinners in Pakistan (K.M. Chaudary/AP)

“That’s tiring, it’s stressful, it’s not enjoyable. The upsides, the opportunity, all the things Baz (head coach Brendon McCullum) talks to us about, I felt like I loved all of those things but maybe I was being a bit of a fraud in terms of enjoying them but not actually living by them.

“I’ve tried to do that and it certainly made me enjoy the game more.”

Rawalpindi represents a return to one of Leach’s most cherished moments – taking the match-winning wicket late on the final evening in 2022 to beat the race against bad light and complete one of England’s most unlikely overseas victories.

“That’s probably my favourite wicket,” he said.

“I remember coming off and saying to Jimmy Anderson, ‘I feel quite emotional’. It was an amazing game of cricket and always one of the most special wins I’ve played in.”

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Pakistan work to create spin-friendly Rawalpindi pitch for England decider

Pakistan continued to bake the Rawalpindi pitch with the help of industrial-sized fans, in a bid to hit England with spin in the decisive third Test which starts on Thursday.

The hosts levelled the series on a re-used surface in Multan last week, having taken the unusual step of drying the pitch out with large fans stationed at each end.

The tactic worked as home spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan shared all 20 wickets in a 152-run win, and work has been under way attempting to get the ball turning again this week.

Some fans are on the pitch….

…they think it’s all over. It is now? pic.twitter.com/i44fpR1Aug

— Rory Dollard (@thervd) October 21, 2024

Pictures emerged on social media over the weekend showing six patio-style heaters and a pair of windbreaks being utilised by groundstaff in an apparent attempt to recycle warm air and make it a more bowler-friendly surface.

Pakistan trained on Monday, with just the two oversized fans remaining on an uncovered square taking in the midday sun.

The operation is being overseen by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Australian head curator Tony Hemming, though it remains to be seen how successful it is second time around. Conditions for the second Test were more extreme given the pitch had already seen more than 350 overs of action in the series opener and Rawalpindi is known for offering up flat batting decks.

When England won there in 2022, spinners were responsible for less than half the wickets in the match. The pitch was subsequently rated as “below average” by ICC match referee Andy Pycroft, whose report noted: “It was a very flat pitch which gave almost no assistance to any type of bowler.”

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