Live Test Match Blogging / Ed Hawkins / 08 August 2010 /

England are very much in the driving seat in the Second Test and will be desperate to bowl Pakistan out cheaply rather than face a tricky run chase in what could be difficult conditions. Ed Hawkins tells us how they're getting along...Email him here

CLOSE 18.55 291-9
Yesterday England looked to have this game won in three days, and the betting reflected that. Pakistan also looked dead and buried when they were 82-5 before lunch today and again at 153-7 in the afternoon session.

We reckoned with Haider and Ajmal, who put on 150 together, they got under the hosts' skin and helped Pakistan close the day just short of 300. The lower order have put some pride back into this Pakistan side and ensured that England will have to get at least 113 to win this game. That target looks gettable but Ajmal, handy with the bat, will hope to be handier still with the ball on a turning pitch.

Don't worry about the weather - just make sure you log on for more betting insight, colour and news on my cake selections tomorrow morning.

CLOSE 18.47 Pk 291-9

18.39 Pk 278-9
Two overs left. If a wicket falls now England will not bat tonight. The lead is 99 - the hosts will have to secure 100 to win as it stands - runs are gold dust at the moment.

We've got a gentleman streaker on the run to add to the drama.

18.20 Pk 269-9
Great knock from the Incredible Zulq (88), deserved a century for putting the pride back into this Pakistan effort. Good catch too by a happy Strauss, things going his way at last.

WICKET 18.22 269-9
Haider c Strauss b Swann 88

18.20 Pk 269-8
Six overs left now - you can forget about a finish to this test today. Attention has moved onto day four. The market says morning [1.80] afternoon [2.00] evening [6.40].

By the way, Gul doesn't look too hampered by that hamstring. The visitors could do with accumulating a few more runs. Weather forecast not too bad for tomorrow.

18.13 Pk 268-8
Relief for England there. Now Umar Gul hobbles out with a runner. Just eight overs left.

WICKET 18.11 Pk 268-8
Ajmal c Collingwood b Swann 50

18.10 Pk 268-7
Ajmal raises his bat after gaining his half century. The lead is now 89 - we may have a contest on our hands soon.

Keep an eye on that match result market. Pakistan are now [15.0] from [26.0] at 17.43.

18.07 Pk 257-7
Now the lead stands at 78. Nine overs left today.

England need to be careful here. There is little point in being too attacking at this stage. Shut up shop, that would be the sensible approach. The Incredible Zulq and Ajmal look well set and are scoring quite comfortably. Stifle and choke them now to keep the lead to a minimum, come back tomorrow when they must start from scratch and finish the job.

18.00 Pk 252-7
The 250 has been brought up - the lead is 73.

England couldn't pick Ajmal's doosra first time around. He's been a key element already in this match and could have more to say.

Here is my final bit of selector's advice.

The Top Five Players Pakistan Could Pick to Improve Their Performances - No 1. Mohammad Yousuf. Pakistan selectors made exactly the right call in bringing him back from the international wilderness. Then they forgot to actually name him in the XI. If they learn from mistakes, MoYo, as he is affectionately known, might be the one Pakistani we can trust with our money. He averages 90 in England in Tests. It's not bad is it? So those changes give us a Pakistan XI for the next Test of: Shoaib Malik (he's opened before), Salman Butt, MoYo, Younis, Misbah, Azhar Mahmood, Aamer, Un-credible Zulk, Danish Pastry, Ajmal, Asif

17.53 Pk 243-7
Now the lead stands at 64.

What will England not fancy chasing here? Anything more than 150 one would have thought. Okay, a long way off but Saeed Ajmal could be even more lethal on this surface in the fourth innings. And let us not forget that England have dominated with ball, not bat.

Irrespective of whether you think Pakistan can win this game, there is little doubt they finally making the running. Laying England at [1.07] is a trade to nothing. A wicket will wreck the wager, but if this partnership continues and the lead grows beyond three figures we might just have found ourselves a winning trade.

17.43 Pk 237-7
There hasn't been a lot of point in discussing the match result market today, largely because the market was so decided on the outcome that it was actually impossible to back England. At the start of the day England were [1.04], Pakistan [32.00] and the draw [80.0].

Pakistan now have a 58 run lead there are people back in the market prepared to lay England. Here are the prices now: Eng [1.04] Pk [26.0] Draw [170].

The idea is that Pakistan might just set a tricky target. Realists should be aware that the visitors, whose strength lies in the bowling department, are without injured the Gul.

There are 15 overs remaining today.

17.30 Pk 222-7
Not long ago, 17.13 in fact, I advised a lay of [1.65] in the end of test market and suggested prices would soar if no wicket fell. Now is not a bad time to get out of the bet with a tasty profit. We can back a conclusion today at [3.10]

17.26 Pk 217-7
For those involved in the end of test market, be aware we've 19 overs remaining today. If a result is likely officials can add a further eight overs to that number. If Ajmal continues in this carefree manner a result today still may be on the cards.

Just answering Portuguese Pirate's query about Imran Tahir. He could have made a bid for England because he started playing for Middlesex in 2003. He could also play for Pakistan, having played under-19 and 'A' cricket for them, However, neither takes his fancy. South Africa are his choice, possibly by dint of a South African wife and, hell, women always get what they want. He was called up for South Africa's squad for the final Test against England at the start of the year but didn't make the cut. In fact, he may need to consider playing for Pakistan if he really wants to play international cricket. At 31, he's getting too old for the Proteas.

17.20 Pk 211-7
Bit frustrating for England this. Maybe they should give Stuart Broad the ball,who could threaten the Pakistanis with physical violence. His posturing and tantrums are such a bore these days. I love it when people defend him by saying "oh, he's so young". Hang on, though, it's not as if he's a toddler is it? I've seen six-year-olds with better manners.

Staying with Broad, and I'm ranting here, there's a huge advert at one end of the ground for COCKSPUR. A canny photographer would frame Broad next to the first four letters of that ad, cutting out the final four.

17.13 Pk 206-7
This Haider/Ajmal partnership is now worth 51 and Pakistan have acquired over 200 runs. For the first time in this match England's bowlers just look a trifle short of ideas. A little lay of the test ending today [1.65] may not be a bad idea if you think this partnership can prosper. That price will soar as the session rolls on.

17.03 Pk 189-7
Time for drinks.

Haider, or "Header" as Warne pronounces his name, was delighted to get to 50, he knelt down to kiss the turf. A nice moment for Pakistan and their followers.

Back to Sohail Tanvir, whose bowling action resembles someone who has just been flung from a washing machine at terrific speed. I've a huge soft spot for the lad because he was part of the Rajasthan team which won the inaugural IPL. Top wicket-taker if memory serves.

Sadly, though Pirtuguese Pirate he does not make my Top Five. I really want to go with two spinners for the last two Tests. He can carry the drinks, though, so long as he doesn't trip over that wrong foot.

16.57 Pk 182-7
The 'Incredible Zulq' notches his maiden test half century. The boundary he scores to reach the landmark also puts Pakistan into positive territory. Yes the visitors now lead by two runs. Cook will have to bat again!

16.50 Pk 176-7
I've got one more candidate for my Top Five Players Pakistan Could Pick to Improve Their Performances series. But I've just had this from Portuguese Pirate.

He puts the cat well among the pigeons with his email: "Dear Hawkeye, Can I throw in the name of the 'bowling off the wrong foot' left-arm medium-fast Sohail Tanvir who seems to have good control and takes some getting used to because of his unorthodox action.

"Can you also please clarify what the position is as regards Warwickshire and former Hampshire spinner Imran Tahir - is he eligible to play for Pakistan? I heard a few months back South Africa were considering calling him up."

Mmmm, I'd forgotten Tanvir. Answers coming up.

16.38 Pk 159-7
So Amir has done well, but what can I do to help Pakistan out of . . . the mire? By the way the vistors now trail by just 20 runs. Cook must be getting nervy.

Here it is folks, time for the next solution in the series:

The Top Five Players Pakistan Could Pick to Improve Their Performances - No 2. Misbah-ul-Haq. Not really sure why this nugget batsman has been jettisoned. So nothing new there. The bloke's a class act. Remember his Twenty20 efforts with the willow in the inaugural World Cup? Yeah, he was great. Until the pressure got to him and he crumbled. Bring him back, though because it's not as if Pakistan have anything to lose.

16.26 Pk 153-7
All that weather talk looks a bit immaterial now doesn't it? Bowler Amir faced an impressive 117 deliveries. Only Haider (126) has faced more - after his batting heroics we might just rename the wicket keeper, the 'incredible Zulq'.

WICKET 16.22 153-7
Amir c Strauss b Broad 16

16.22 Pk 153-7
A quick check with the Met Office website suggests a bit of rain this evening - but other than that nothing to worry about on Monday. Oops there is a wicket.

16.15 Pk 152-6
As promised it's time for end of test market tracker. After that flurry of wickets before lunch I reported the price for a finish today at [1.03]. A morning of day four finish was as big as [8.60]. Well this partnership has rather changed matters. We can now back a day three end at [1.5] and morning of day four at [3.00]. The next option is afternoon on day four [10.0] I believe you'd want a bit of weather to play a roll before taking that option. I'll look at the forecast now.

16.09 Pk 151-6
There is the 50 partnership between these two. And here comes the new ball. Four men are in the slips and we've got a bit of cloud cover rolling in.

16.03 Pk 150-6
Slight delay, not entirely sure what has happened but a steward is receiving treatment on the boundary. There is a theory that an advertising board was caught by some wind and hit him in the head. He's being stretched off.

TEA 15.42 Pk 150-6
Pakistan have set their stall out to ensure England will at least have to bat again. Just one wicket in that session.The visitors have been steadfast, they have finally started to get under England's skin. Having said that Swan has been immense, here are his figures . . . overs 24, maidens 17, runs 23, wickets 4.

A long session follows this interval. We'll take a look at the end of test market at the resumption. You shouldn't need me to tell you that this rear-guard action has had an impact on prices.

15.38 Pk 150-6
Tea and the new ball must be imminent because KP is about to turn his arm over. In fact the new ball is three overs away and tea is in a matter of minutes. I shall most definitely be taking tea. Biscuit of choice today is Ginger Nuts (they are apparently even more gingery). Let me know your thoughts.

15.21 Pk 136-6
Chance there for Collingwood. Cook fails to snaffle one at silly mid-off.

Here is my next installment in my scheme to boost the tourist's tour. . .

The Top Five Players Pakistan Could Pick to Improve Their Performances - No 3. Azhar Mahmood. You know, I thought Azhar was ancient. But he's not. He's only 35. Seriously, I had him down for at least 40. The all rounder has been plying his trade for Kent this summer, taking 25 first-class wickets. He is one of those players who has been virtually disowned by his national team, that is probably no impediment.

15.11 Pk 130-6
A couple of minor landmarks to report. Pakistan trail by just 49 runs now. England wheel out their fifth bowler, Collingwood.

That end of test market is coming back to life, well, it's stirring. He's the latest . . . you can now back a finish today at [1.25]. A finish tomorrow morning is now as short as [4.30]. At lunch I reported it being 1.03 and 8.60 respectively.

14.54 Pk 124-6
It's been an hour since the last wicket and England - more specifically Broad - are getting a bit feisty. Haider plays a forward defensive shot only for Broad to spear the ball back at Prior. Not long after a poor throw by Broad thwarts a run out attempt. Young Amir is being subjected to plenty of chat too.

Nearly forgot, here's how I'd save Pakistan's tour . . .

The Top Five Players Pakistan Could Pick to Improve Their Performances - No 4. Younis Khan. He doesn't get on with one of the selectors. So what? Half the team hate each other. Get him in there. Great experience in England, Younis has the grit and determination which Pakistan badly lack. He's played here this summer for Surrey, averaging a shade under 40 in first-class cricket. Best of all, his English is totally incomprehensible, which makes his interviews wonderful to listen to.

14.40 Pk 115-6
Broad appeals for a catch behind. The ump is not interested and England use up their last review. Haider remains in place. The players take drinks.

14.33 Pk 111-6
The scorers are not being overworked this afternoon. The last three overs have been maidens and the visitors have managed 10 runs in the last 20 twenty minutes or so. It's given me the chance to start my new afternoon series . . .

The Top Five Players Pakistan Could Pick to Improve Their Performances - No 5. A controversial selection this because, admittedly, Danish Kaneria was, for the need of a better word, crap at Trent Bridge. Still, he is Pakistan's third highest wicket-taker in the last 12 months and has 260 Test victims. Pairing his leg spin with Saeed Ajmal's offies could have England in all sorts of trouble at The Oval.

14.10 Pk 101-6
Oh dear, Pakistan getting a bit introspective again. Runs are very hard to find. England turn on the pressure and Swan is the chief tormentor.

This evening I shall be drafting my application to be a Pakistan selector. But oh, the indecision. Should I write a letter? Email? Surely a telephone would be more personable? But a telegram has such a note of class, don't you think? I tell you what, I'd be good at this. Coming up, The Top Five Players Pakistan Could Pick to Improve Their Performances.

14.00 Pk 101-6
Great way for England to return from lunch. Swan draws his victim forward and Prior is tidy . . . and, as far as Umar Amin is concerned lethal behind the stumps. Next up is Mohammad Amir.

WICKET 13.54 Pk 101-6
Amin st Prior b Swan 14

13.48 Pk 100-5
We are back and Pakistan have notched the ton - they trail by 79 now. Over lunch I've turned my thoughts to the issues surrounding the tourists.

For example I wonder what life must be like for a Pakistan selector? Terrible I must have thought. All that indecision, the rows, the back tracking, the foolishness. It must be a nightmare when the selection panel go out for a meal. Then again I understand it doesn't happen very often. Half of them are in Pizza Express, a couple are in Nandos and, usually, one poor soul never makes it anywhere because he is too busy rowing with the taxi driver about the best route to take.

Most of them must go hungry a lot of the time. Changing their order every five minutes does not go down well. Either they are thrown out or the kitchen closes before they have had time to make up their mind.

LUNCH 13.01 Pk 94-5
Well interesting morning there. Pakistan looked like they might dig in this morning. There wasn't much swing and the Pakistan price tumbled when the first semblance of a partnership appeared.

Duke Ellington composed a jazz tune with the words; "it don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing". Unfortunately the visitors reckoned without Swan whose spin triggered a mini collapse. Now it's not so much if, more a question of when.
The price for the test match ending today is [1.03]. You can get [8.60] for England to wrap it up on the morning of day four.

12.57 Pk 94-5
Anderson is back on, he replaces Finn who looked to have picked up a bit of a knock to his left foot at the end of his last over. He's off the field at the mo.

12.44 Pk 83-5
Normal service has resumed. Pakistan are falling apart just before lunch. Zulqarnain Haider has been saved from a king pair after overturning a Swann leg before decision. All rather depressing here, folks.

WICKET 12.40 Pk 82-5
Umar Akmal lbw b Swann 20

WICKET 12.34 Pk 76-4
Shoab Mailk c Prior b Finn 3

12.30 Pk 73-3
Shoaib Malik has looked Pakistan's best batsman in this series, without actually scoring many runs. His technique looks pretty good: he gets behind the ball, tries to play it late. Of course, he should be pretty well versed in England, he did play for Gloucestershire for a spell after all. He is [3.00] to score a 50 here. Umar Akmal, whose strokeplay is superior, is [2.78] for a 50. Shoaib would be the better wager, though because he is more disciplined.

12.12 Pk 57-3
Azhar was doing well ... until he suffered a brain surge on a par with sticking a fork in the toaster. The lad tried an expansive cover drive just a few balls after watching his partner undone by vicious spit and turn. Had he asked himself 'what is the best and worst thing that can happen if I try to play this shot?' he should have come up with the answers 'I might get a thick inside edge' and 'I could be horribly embarrassed'. Probably didn't ask himself that question, then. Azhar's stupidity was almost trumped by Umar Akmal, the new batsman, who, first ball, tired to smash Swann into nearby Solihull, or somewhere. Matt Prior should have stumped him.

WICKET 12.06 Pk 54-3
Azhar b Swann 19

12.05 Pk 54-2
Swann had only bowled two overs in the series before he claimed that wicket. One would forgive him for being rusty. Not a bit of it. The ball which removed Farhat drifted and dipped, pitched on leg, bit and spun viciously to take off stump. If Shane Warne had produced a delivery of that quality, we would all know be changing our pants after doing something unpleasant in them.

12.00 Pk 53-2
That wicket from Swann has caused a rewrite of Test match end analysis. I was about to inform you that a finish today had drifted to [1.86] and that the value may lie on afternoon day four at [5.00] but there doesn't seem much point in taking the latter with that wicket not even budging the price. A day three end has shortened, obviously, to [1.66]. The morning of day four is at [3.00]. Back to Swann, that was the 20th time in his Test career that he has taken a wicket in his first over of a spell.

11.54 Pk 53-2
I Farhat b Swann 29

11.45 Pk 50-1
A lovely boundary from Ali off Anderson. England, suddenly, look rather lost. Understandable I guess. Having been able to rely on seam and swing for the last three innings, they now have to engage their brans. You can almost hear the cogs turning from here. Pakistan as short as [17.00] to lay now. Test match end analysis coming up.

11.30 Pk 44-1
Pakistan have shortened dramatically this morning. They are as skinny as [20.00] to lay. It just proves how valuable it is to know when a partnership might turn up. Farhat and Ali have put on 43 together under sunny skies. Perhaps a nibble at the 'to back' price might be worth a go with a view to laying off. Another 20 or 30 runs could produce a handy profit.

11.18 Pk 32-1
Lovely bit of mischief from Shane Warne, who has reacted to the news that former Australia coach John Buchanan will assist England in their Ashes preparation. "He can drive the bus back to the hotel for them," he chuckled. "And maybe bring something left field to the team ... like Cluedo."

11.10 Pk 27-1
Cricketers are such con artists. England appeal for a catch behind off Azhar Ali with all the certainty as if they were asking the umpire the time. Stuart Broad didn't even bother, running nonchalantly through to the keeper and slips to take the congratulations. When the ump refused to get involved, surely England would refer? No. Of course not. Because Azhar missed it by six inches and the England players knew that perfectly well. It's called cheating.

11.00 Pk 19-1
Pakistan trail by 160 runs as they resume. Unsurprisingly, the match odds market is dead. England are [1.04], Pakistan [32.00] and the draw a ridiculous [80.00]. It's a bit like Christmas for turkeys - very difficult to get excited about. We could try to make a case for a Pakistan in-out trade. But that requires brain power and a little fantasy. The Test match end market is interesting, though. More on that in a mo.

10.55 Pk 19-1
Morning all. We're in position for day three at Edgbaston and we have to hope that Pakistan show a semblance of ability against the moving ball. Otherwise it could all be over very quickly indeed. Last Sunday it finished bang on 13.oo if memory serves. The sun is out, though today so Pakistan have the conditions on their side.

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