Pakistan v England / Ed Hawkins / 03 February 2012 /

Ed Hawkins was not impressed by the tourists, who showed exactly why the series has already been lost

England have a slender lead after day one of the dead rubber second Test against Pakistan at the Dubai Cricket International Stadium. They do not deserve it.

Although a glance at the scorecard will suggest a brilliant bowling performance followed by a brave battling display with the bat, England showed exactly why they have lost this series before a ball had been bowled.

By keeping faith with the same team that had been humiliated in the previous two Tests they exposed their weakness: inflexibility. It is this aversion to adaptability which will prevent them from keeping their No 1 Test status this year. They can't adapt to conditions,. They can't adapt to variations. They can't adapt despite evidence staring them in the face.

One from Eoin Morgan, Ian Bell or Kevin Pietersen should have been dropped in favour of Ravi Bopara. The proud Essex man must be seething at the lack of opportunity and respect afforded him by those who pick the team.

We are not saying that Bopara would have done any better than that hapless trio today, but he could hardly have done any worse. At the least he might have showed a semblance of ability against spin bowling.

If there is any justice, England will lose this match. Certainly they seem to be on course to. They will have to bat last on a wearing surface which is already exciting the spin twins of Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman with a middle order which has had its confidence ripped to shreds by the duo.

Pietersen, Bell and Morgan each fell to spin again and after five innings in this series they have contributed a measly 141 runs. Put it this way, as gamblers we do not show blind faith in an individual who for five times consecutively has been found wanting so why England suddenly expect them to find form is anyone's guess.

England may be capable of squeezing a lead of 50 or so in this innings but that might not be enough. Having been bowled out for 72 in Abu Dhabi we can see history repeating itself and, as we said then, anything over 150 is going to be a challenge indeed. That is why we remain happy with our back-to-lay of Pakistan. Those who did not get on can do so with confidence at [2.70]. England are [1.62]].

In terms of other markets, the Test Match End makes appeal. We do not often take short prices but the [1.54] that the Test ends on day three or sooner seems to be buying money. There were 87 overs today. It seems unlikely that Pakistan will bat for almost a whole day tomorrow and then it will just be a question if England hold on.

Recommended Bet
Test match End Day 1,2,3 @ [1.54]

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