Live Test Match Blogging / Ed Hawkins / 06 August 2010 /

It was all pretty straightforward for England at Trent Bridge last week but Pakistan have made changes to the team in a bid to hit back in the Series. As ever, Salman Butt's team are a dangerous side on their day and shouldn't be underestimated. Ed Hawkins talks us through it all....

CLOSE 18.04 Eng 112-2
Well, that wasn't too bad really, just about 30 minutes short of the official close. England [1.04] have absolute control of this match. The key strength of Pakistan [34.0] is their bowling attack. But by the time their pace men were called into action the game was out of sight. Their gravest error was to give England the initiative by asking them to bowl after the toss.

A couple of quick wickets after tea was a boost for the visitors - but that good work was spoilt when Pietersen was dropped. The post tea session wasn't expansive, England didn't throw their bats about - but they did pick up 3.26 runs an over and extended their lead to 40 by the close. Mind you the home side had no need to take risks. They had to all intent and purpose eliminated Pakistan by the lunch break.
We've plenty to keep us interested though, not least in the top bat market. I'll be back here tomorrow morning bringing further betting insight, colour and news of my snacking throughout day two. See you then.

BAD LIGHT STOPS PLAY 17.48 Eng 112-2
The gloom has finally got the better of things and the players and umpires are leaving the pitch for bad light.

17.28 Eng 95-2
No real fireworks at Edgbaston. The run rate is 3.18. Pietersen (20) has had a bit of luck, dropped by newbie keeper Zulqarnain Haider who is edging towards the Un-credible Zulq nickname at the moment.
This innings is just what the doctor, and for that matter the coach would have ordered for Pietersen. He looks focused and will benefit from some time in the middle. We are still cheering on Trott who is on 25.
The partnership is now worth 51 and England lead by 23.

17.00 Eng 74-2
Well it's been a dramatic day and we've still got plenty more action to take in . . . weather and light permitting. Who would have thought it, 53 overs gone now and England have overtaken Pakistan's first inning total.
We've seen 146 runs scored and 12 wickets fall. But when will this test end? Just after lunch you could back a conclusion on day one, two or three at 1.87. That result is now as short as [1.65] and a day four finish is trading at [2.40]. As this partnership builds those prices are slowly getting bigger.

16.26 Eng 54-2
Trott escapes one there. He gives an easy catch to first slip which is dropped. As you might imagine Geoffrey Boycott isn't too impressed by that effort!

16.17 Eng 44-2
Well Steve Davis didn't think that was out, and I didn't think it was the most convincing appeal in the world. But Hot Spot demonstrates that Amir swung one back through bat and pad. That is two wickets in two overs and Trott is now [3.45] to top the England run charts.
Pietersen [2.84], who scored 9 and 22 at Trent Bridge, will be tested here.
Eng [1.05] Pak [24.0] Draw [65.0]

WICKET 16.12
Strauss c Zalqarnain b Amir 25

16.09 Eng 44-1
The human element in 'machine England' is no more. A slow-looking bouncer catches Cook by surprise. He's through the shot and the ball clips the back of his glove before looping to slip. That brings Trott to the crease. As we mentioned earlier it's his first dig here as an England Test player but he's got a decent average and can be backed at [4.30] in the top bat market.

WICKET 16.03
Cook c Akmal b Asif 17

16.02 Eng 44-0
We are back. Mohammad Asif is running in. First target is to overhaul Pakistan's first innings total.

TEA 15.41 Eng 43-0
It's spin time. Saeed Ajmal turns up to put an over in before tea. If we overlook a couple of minor gripes about Cook England have shown machine-like tendencies against the visitors.
Pakistan failed to apply any pressure and as such imperious England will resume just 29 runs behind their opponents. Eng [1.05] Pak [36.0] Draw [40.0]
I'm having tea and some iced lemon cake now.

15.29 Eng 38-0
England trail by just 34 now. I'm looking around the field and spot a rather tall wicketkeeper.
If Pakistan's new keeper Zulqarnain Haider proves to be a brilliant Test cricketer, can I suggest the nickname, Incredible Zulq. Pakistan's national colour is green after all. If he proves to be hopeless, we can call him the Un-credible Zulq. Sadly, the latter is more likely after a first-baller. We'll give him the benefit of the doubt, however. This is his Test debut after all.
He's 24 and from Lahore. He has a first-class average of 34. Most noticeable, however, is that he is very tall. Too tall in my book for a keeper. If Kamran Akmal struggled keeping in English conditions then surely the Zulq will.

15.14 Eng 29-0
Now that Cook has survived we can go back and re-examine that top bat market. Remember those averages I was talking about? Well, here are the current prices . . .
Strauss [2.90]
Cook [4.50]
Trott [6.60]
Pietersen [5.00]
Collingwood [7.00]
On the face of it Trott looks worth a nibble at those prices.

15.07 Eng 24-0
Cook asks for a review after being given LBW. It's a good call - decision overturned. That looked to be hitting middle and leg but computer wizardry shows it was going over the top.

15.00 Eng 21-0
First serious bit of rain here folks. They will attempt to play through it in the hope it is a passing shower. Might make myself a well deserved cup of tea.

14.58 Eng 13-0
Here are the averages of England batsmen in Tests at Edgbaston to help you make up your mind about a wager for top batsman.
Strauss 47
Cook 35
Pietersen 57
Collingwood 34
Prior 41
Jonathan Trott is playing his Edgbaston Test. But a Warwickshire boy, well, sort of, he knows the venue well. He averages 48 there.

14.54 Eng 9-0
First over negotiated. Eng [1.04] Pak [27.0] Draw [80.0]

14.44 Pk 72 all out
There we are then. England have made just one error all morning - that Swan drop. Just three bowlers were required to dismiss Pakistan for their lowest ever total against England in tests. Broad and Anderson both walk off with four wickets apiece.

We get the impression that the visitors didn't really know whether to stick or twist. Plenty appeared to have walked to the crease with it firmly in their mind that they were going to grind out an innings . . . one of many problems was that they also forget to score runs. They succumbed to an impressive England attack. But the biggest Pakistan error might have been made at the toss. Only now are the visitors able to play their strong suit - can they put the pressure back on England?

WICKET 14.38
Asif c Pietersen b Anderson 0

14.36 Pk 67-9
Great catch from the England opener there. Mohammad Amir skies one there and Cook has to dart back, keep his eyes on the prize and chuck in a dive to send Amir packing. It is no surprise that the match odds have not changed much. The writing was on the wall, the floor and the ceiling some time ago. Eng [1.06] Pak [22.0] Draw [46.0]
Draw alert - keep an eye on the third of that little series of figures. A flurry of rain sees the spectators dart of coats. There may be an opportunity for traders during this match - not much to worry about for the moment though.

WICKET 14.30
Amir c Cook b Anderson 12

WICKET 14.24
Gul c Pietersen b Anderson 0

14.20 Pk 63-7
Umar Amin was just starting is to show a bit of grit there and accumuilate a few runs. He sits at the top of the charts with 23 runs to his name. We can back him at [1.90] in the Top Pakistan 1st Innings market. Any Other Batsman [1.53]. Mohammad Amir requires 14 runs to overhaul his team mate. He is joined at the crease by Umar Gul.

WICKET 14.16
Amin c Collingwood b Broad 23

14.04 Pk 49-6
Mohammad Amir asks for a review following Anderson's appeal for LBW. Good review - inside edge onto pad. Eng [1.08] Pak [18.0] Draw [32.0]

13.58 Pk 49-6
Ooops. A rare event here - England miss an opportunity. Broad gets Amin to edge one and although low, Swan should have snaffled that in the slips. The next deliver flies high over the cordon for four.

13.55 Pk 45-6
The sun is trying to come out. I think conditions might be a little bit brighter since the teams had lunch and I ate my hot dogs. Anderson commences the 30th over, running into the wind.
I've prepared for a flurry of wickets by brewing a cup of tea now. CMJ over on Test Match Special has just told listeners he's on a coffee. I bet he hasn't got a pack of popular American chocolate flavoured sandwich biscuits to see him through the afternoon though. Amir flashes at one - sign of aggression. The ball was leaving him - it's still doing quite a bit out there.

13.40 Pk 39-6
We are back and Broady leads the attack.
Test match end market might be the most competitive betting heat we've got. Oh, maybe not actually. As short as [1.87] inside the first three days. The morning of day four is [4.40]. Those prices were quite a bit shorter pre-lunch I ought to say.

LUNCH 13.02 Pk 37-6
Pakistan in total disarray at lunch. Those quick wickets before the break meant I burnt my hot dogs. In short, Pakistan have ruined it for everyone. England, who we tipped at [1.60], are now [1.09] so we're at least onto a winner. See you in 40.

WICKET 12.54 Pk 36-6
Zulqarnain Haider c Prior b Broad 0

WICKET 12.50 Pk 33-5
Umar Akmal lbw b Finn 17

12.49 Pk 33-4
We are approaching lunch folks. Hot dogs for me. I wouldn't imagine they would be the sort of staple either team will be going for at the break. They can often make you feel a little bloated, a little burpy, especially if you've opted for onions. Oooh, hold on, wicket here.

12.30 Pk 30-4
Umar Amin is next in. I want to call him Idi, but probably shouldn't. One more wicket and England into the tail. Pakistan are struggling to improve on their all out second-innings score of 80 at Trent Bridge. You can lay them at [1.55] to make 100 runs or more, [1.90] for 125 or more and [2.06] for 150 or more. All good ones

WICKET 12.25
Azhar Ali lbw b Broad 0

12.08 Pk 18-3
Inexcusable stuff from Shoaib Malik. He's an experienced campaigner, who has played loads of county cricket, and he went at the ball hard and wide like a kid on his first tour. Pakistan are as short as [1.22] and [1.30] for 125 or more and 150 or more respectively. They could really struggle to make it past 100, folks.

12.03 Pk 12-3
S Malik c Prior b Anderson 3

12.00 Pk 12-2
Butt's dismissal a classic example of a player not finding the happy medium (11.54). He was given a width and went at it with gusto, edging to Swann at second slip. England are as short as [1.30].

WICKET 11.56 Pk 9-2
S Butt c Swann b Finn 7.

11.54 Pk 9-1
Shane Warne and Michael Holding have been critical of Pakistan's strokeless approach this morning. I can't agree. This is a young and inexperienced Pakistan team - average age 24 - and they have at least learnt that they have to play as late and as tight as possible. Succeeding as a touring batsman in England is a process. You make mistakes and learn from them. Pakistan made loads at Trent Bridge, going hard at the ball and playing a long way from their bodies. They have realised they can't play like that. That is a huge positive. But they have over-corrected, which is inevitable. Maybe by the next Test they will find a happy medium but at the moment it seems they are damned if they do, and damned if they don't.

11.31 Pk 8-1
That had been coming. There has been swing this morning and although Farhat had been desperately trying to play as late as possible, he had retreated into his shell, becoming totally strokeless. A 24-ball duck. "See the ball, hit the ball, that is cricket," says Michael Holding, who is not impressed. England had shortened this morning without taking a wicket, which just proves how everyone thought a wicket was imminent. They are [1.42] from pre-wicket [1.57]. Azhar Ali is the new batsman,

WICKET 11.30 Pk 8-1
I Farhat c Prior b Broad 0.

11.23 Pk 7-0
Three maidens in a row. That means in this James Anderson over there is an 85% chance of a wicket. According to former Aussie coach John Buchanan, anyway. He worked out that after three run-less overs, batsmen would get frustrated and make a mistake. And that was throughout Test history, I believe.

11.10 Pk 7-0
Odd. James Anderson, who took 11 wickets at Trent Bridge, has four men on the legside, two slips and a gully. Stuart Broad, who didn't take 11 wickets at Trent Bridge, has three on the legside, three slips and a gully. Still, Broad did take 11 wickets on this ground against Warwickshire in the Championship two weeks ago.

11.00 Pk 0-0
We're underway with James Anderson, the 11-wicket destroyer. Why not have a read of the second Test preview to get you in the mood.

10.55 Pakistan win the toss and bat
No batsman averages above 40 in this Pakistan side, no batsman has made a ton on this tour and they have to make more than 300. You can get [1.50] on a Pakistan century in this innings and you can lay them at [3.00] for 300 or more.

10.45 Pakistan win the toss and bat
David Lloyd has called Pakistan's team selection "ridiculous". Hard to disagree. They have managed to weaken their side by not naming Yousuf, who could have been very useful indeed second-innings when he's acclimatised, dropping Akmal, who gives them length in the tail, and undermining Kaneria. Ajmal is a useful bowler but a legspinner is always worth more. It all means that England rate a corking bet at [1.60]. Pakistan, who have chosen to bat first, could be two down for not very much in half and hour and we may not see England as big again.Pakistan are [5.90] and the draw is [4.80].

10.40 Pakistan win the toss and bat
Morning all and welcome to the live betting blog for the second Test. Team news aplenty is first on the menu this morn. Mohammad Yousuf, jaded after flying into England yesterday, does not play, which rather makes a mockery of the media hoo-ha that followed his recall. Secondly, Kamran Akmal has been dropped, which is fitting. The wicketkeeper makes way for the wonderfully-named Zulqarnain Haider. Saeed Ajmal plays instead of Danish Kaneria. England, boringly, are unchanged.

England 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Graeme Swann, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn

Pakistan 1 Salman Butt (capt), 2 Imran Farhat, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Umar Amin, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Zulqarnain Haider (wk), 8 Mohammad Amir, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Mohammad Asif

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