Live Test Match Blogging / Ed Hawkins / 20 August 2010 / 1

Pakistan will be trying to bowl England out cheaply and pull one back in the Series, Alastair Cook is fighting for his Test future and Kevin Pietersen is trying to play himself into form ahead of the Ashes. It should be a fascinating day's play. Enjoy it in the company of Ed Hawkins. Email him here

CLOSE 17.55 Eng 220-9, lead by 146
Light came to England's aid, but a little too late. The home side suffered a proper collapse this afternoon and they are probably 40 runs short of a workable lead. I think they really need about 225 runs to give themselves a reasonable chance.

Amir bowled very well, making use of some reverse swing while England have never really got to grips with Ajmal.

One thing is certain - every run on day four will be like gold dust for England. Join me tomorrow for the news, views and lemon cake on what promises to be a day of high drama. I'll throw in a few more of those Top Five England Ashes problems to solve for good measure.

BAD LIGHT STOPS PLAY 17.50 Eng 220-9
The lights on teh scoreboard look quite bright. That is code for it's still pretty dark at the Oval. Not confident we'll get much play tonight. The trouble with using floodlights is that once shadows become prominent the players have to come off.

I'm having a nice cup of tea and some homemade lemon drizzle cake to cheer me up. In the meantime . . .

Top Five England Ashes problems to solve

No 3 Left-arm woe England's batsmen have a problem against left-arm pace. From Zaheer Khan and RP Singh swinging India to a series win in this country three years ago to Wahab Riaz's five-wickets in the first-innings at The Oval and Mohammad Aamer's tormenting of Andrew Strauss, England have a definitive weakness. The problem is, Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger are both left-armers who have had good enough years to be included in the Cricketer of the Year nominations.

BAD LIGHT STOPS PLAY 17.35 Eng 220-9
Seemingly the light is not improving. Sukhdeep has emailed. He says: "When Cook got his hundred, Nasser Hussain said 'he deserves that century'. What do you think? Opening batsmen deserve centuries for being average at best and not having much competition for their place in the team? If that's the case I'm owed 4000 runs I reckon!"

Well Sukhdeep, firstly thanks for the email. I tend to agree. I'm searching for a suitable analogy for the 'specialist opener' conundrum but haven't quite found it yet!

Cook will certainly be relieved to have got to three figures today. The danger is that having reached that landmark he felt his work was done. He may have topped the batting card, but he had a responsibly to get a big hundred.

Should England lose the spotlight will shine elsewhere too. Trott played the supporting role throughout. But as wickets fell he struggled to pick up the momentum. After three and a half hours 36 runs is not a lot to show for your efforts.

BAD LIGHT STOPS PLAY 17.15 Eng 220-9, lead 146
England [6.00] Pakistan [1.20] Draw [130]

17.15 Eng 220-9
This has been an awesome comeback from Pakistan. Mind you wrong shot from Swan who tried to cut a delivery that crashed into his middle stump.

With the exception of Pietersen, England have not really tried to apply pressure on the run rate. That has mean that although Trott enjoyed some lengthily partnerships, notably with Cook, the home side never really got away from the visitors.

What is this? They are going off for light. England will be relived - but the damage has been done.

WICKET 16.51 Eng 220-9
Swan b Ajmal 6

DRINKS 17.05 Eng 220-8, lead 145
It is worth reminding ourselves that the Oval still isn't the brightest destination on the planet at the moment. The lights are still on.

The Pakistani tails are well and truly up as drinks arrive. We've seen a bit of an England collapso in the last hour. My judgement is that England require an absolute minimum lead of 175. If they secure an advantage of 225 the teams' chances will even out a little more.

16.55 Eng 210-8
That was an absolute beauty from Amir. Since tea England have been 16-5. The lead is 135 and Pakistan have hit an all-time low of [1.30]. Engalnd can be backed at [4.20]

WICKET 16.51 Eng 210-8
Prior c Kamran Akmal b Amir 5

16.38 Eng 206-7
Evidence if it were ever needed that one wicket can quickly bring another. Bit of reverse swing is just helping against batsmen who are not totally set. And England continue to have trouble with Ajmal's Doosras.

Four wickets have fallen for 12 runs. But those who have backed England need to remember one of the wickets to have fallen today was the nightwatchman. The favourite has flip-flopped and it is well worth having a nibble of England [2.92] at the prices. Pak [1.53] Draw [70.0]

WICKET 16.34 Eng 206-7
Morgan b Ajmal 5

WICKET 16.28 Eng 202-6
Collingwood c Kamran Akma b Amir 3

16.25 Eng 200-5
Pakistan have had a fortunate boost, two quick wickets almost immediately after tea. But before the break prospects for wickets looked bleak. So what do you do when the ball stops moving? Well that is another one of our Top Five England Ashes problems to solve

No 2 Work out how to take wickets when it stops swinging. The Kookaburra ball does not swing for very long. Perhaps 15 overs at the most? At Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth it will be hard going for the bowlers. Given that England's attack has looked pretty ordinary against a pretty ordinary Pakistan batting line-up on the two occasions when conditions have not been in their favour, bowling coach David Saker has work to do.

16.18 Eng 198-5
Loose drive from Trott. That was out of character. It had taken him 3.5 hours to accumulate his 36, maybe he felt like he needed to put the foot down a bit.

Those two quick wickets give us the opportunity to back England (as discussed when replying to Mahavir just after lunch). You can do so at [1.85]. Remember how tough it is chase to at The Oval.

WICKET 16.14 Eng 195-5
Trott c Azhar b Amir 36

16.10 Eng 194-4
There are 31 overs left in the day, light permitting. I suspect light will not permit us to complete the lot. England will hope to leave the field today with a lead of around 200. That should put them in a strong position running into day four.

Spin might have to be the key - the is marginal lateral movement, just a touch of revserse swing for the pacemen.

Paul Collingwood steps up now. We can expect the run rate to dip becuase Trott has deicided to play second fiddle to whichever batsman has joined him in the middle.

Eng [1.71] Pak [3.20] Draw [8.00]

WICKET 16.04Eng 194-4
Pietersen b Ajmal 23

TEA 15.45 Eng 194-3, lead 119
Do you remember the run rate when Cook was at the crease? At 14.54 I reported that the last ten overs had gone at an average of 2.3. Like Cook, KP hasn't been in the greatest of form recently but he has elected to take the initiative nonetheless - the last ten overs have gone for 3.70.

At tea England lead by 119. The prices are now: Eng [1.61] Pak [5.10] Draw [5.10]

15.31 Eng 176-3
The lead goes to 101 runs.

15.20 Eng 172-3
In the first innings Pietersen scored just six runs but England were under pressure at that point. He can take comfort in the knowledge that England have a handy lead now. He looks to be bristling with intent, at a track he favours. This could be ominous for the visitors.

While England are [1.66] now we can expect that price to to drop rapidly if KP stays in for any time.

15.15 Eng 160-3
A good time to launch my afternoon discussion point Top Five England Ashes problems to solve

No 1 Opening partnership. Strauss has not scored a century for more than a year and dispite Cook's century in this innings, he still threatens to be nothing more than a tourist. Cook has a dreadful record against the Aussies, averaging only 26. The last time England won in Australia, in 1986, they had Chris Broad and Bill Athey to construct them solid platforms. England have to find a more concrete mix.

15.04 Eng 157-3
I was just about to report how Cook nearly played on to an Ajmal delivery. There will be a lot written and spoken about Cook booking his tour to Australia but to my eye he continued to be unconvincing with over a hundred runs to his name on a batsman friendly track.

England have quietly cemented their position so the wicket has had little effect on the markets. We can back England at [1.70] Pakistan are [3.85] the draw is [6.40]. Looks like it will take another wicket to push the prices of England and Pakistan closer together.

England lead by 82

WICKET 14.59 Eng 156-3
Cook c Kamran Akmal b Wahab Riaz 110

14.54 Eng 152-2
Not a lot of lateral movement for Cook to worry about on his way to his century. He is nicking runs when the occasion allows while Trott is playing the supporting role. Conditions favour the batting side but we are not exactly seeing fireworks. The last ten overs have gone for 2.3 runs. England know they have plenty of time in the game and are in sensible run accumulation business.

14.29 Eng 144-2
So Cook has notched a century, his 13th. It was gifted to him . . . literally. Cook pushes the ball back to the bowler, Asif, who flogs it back in Cook's direction. Unfortunately it goes over the keeper's head for a boundary. Cook was under massive pressure this morning but can there be a more fortunate opener?

Cook has been more productive in the centuries department than his opening partner Strauss recently but is still far from convincing. In fact I shall address this area of England's Ashes preparation in my Top Five England Ashes problems to solve discussion point this afternoon.

This steady partnership ensures England are now [1.68] - not as low as one might have expected. England lead by 69.

14.15 Eng 130-2
Umpire Hill has his shades on - but it is still gloomy enough that the officials have asked for the lights to be switched on.

I'm not the greatest forecaster in the world but I'll attempt to deliver the weather without any unfortunate hand gestures! The Met office shows an ugly looking bank of rain approaching central London by 10pm or 11pm tonight. But other than that I cannot see any rain that we need to worry about.

More of a concern would be the lights. It doesn't, I'm told, feel very dark at the ground but the flood lights have caused shadows to appear on the field.

13.55 Eng 118-2
The timing of Mahavir's questions are excellent. Before I deliver my views lets just check the prices . . .
Eng [1.70] Pak [3.55] Draw [7.60]

Let's deal with the first and third query from Mahavir, because they are kind of the same question. In short, I think England will win the Test because history suggests chasing in fourth-innings at The Oval is very tough (a high of 263). Anything more than 240 will be hard for a Pakistan batting line-up which remains a poor one, despite the presence of MoYo. And if I think England will win, I have to reckon that the hosts will post a total in excess of 325. That looks a long way off, admittedly, but Pakistan this morning showed not a semblance of discipline for the task.

So, what to back England at? We are loath to do so when they are odds on because we're not getting the value. A better option would be to wait, and hope, for a Pakistan period of domination and then take advantage of a potential flip-flop in favouritism. In general, it can pay to go against the tide when we have a market which switches jollies for a 30-run partnership, or wicket.

13.43 Eng 110-2
Well folks we are back, and ready for an interesting afternoon session.

Our old friend Mahavir has been in touch via email. His enthusiasm knows no bounds and we will endeavour to answer his questions in the next few minutes. He says: "Dear Mr. Ed. Very Good Morning. First of all my heartiest thanks for so much accurate predicting about the outcome of first Test match as England winning inside 4 days. So what's your advice for this Oval Test match. At what rate we should back or lay something? And weather? What score u think for England 2nd innings."

LUNCH 13.00 Eng 110-2, lead by 35 runs
The market has England in charge, largely thanks to the dispiriting show from Pakistan because there is still a lot of work for them to do to justify odds of [1.61], which are out of line with their chances of winning. I guess on that basis you have to say that it is worth laying, even if you think England will win. Wrong price. Simples. But this has been the story throughout the Test. Punters just do not trust Pakistan, who are now [3.80].

12.42 Eng 94-2
Cook has raced on to 66 after managing to raise his bat for a half-century. Cook is as short as [1.50] to go to a century. What a difference 66 runs makes. This morning, remember, he was a bigger price to score a 50 than manage top-bat status. Fickle.

12.25 Eng 74-2
Cook needs just two for a 50 which will cement his place in the England side for the next, oooh I don't know, 50 years.

12.16 Eng 65-2
It has to be said that Pakistan have not bowled well this morning. Too much width in general and they have failed to put adequate pressure on Cook to make him crumble. Even the metronomic Mohammad Asif has been disappointing. The result is England edging into odds-on territory at [1.98].

12.03 Eng 56-2
Listen folks, if Cook gets a score here, don't believe the hype. The England media machine will go into overdrive about what great mental strength he has. Some wag will call him 'Tough Cookie'. Irrelevant. He has been dreadful so far, edging through the slips at least twice when I've been able to bring myself to watch his crabby style. We know he's got mental strength. We also know that he has consistently failed to correct gross technical failings. He will not succeed in the Ashes unless he does.

11.43 Eng 40-2
A wicket maiden to start with from Ajmal. Anderson's dismissal brings Jonathan Trott to the crease, who, don't forget, scored that memorable century on debut in the third innings on this ground last summer.

WICKET 11.40 Eng 40-2
J Anderson c Kamran Akmal b Ajmal 11

11.34 Eng 35-1
England are now favourites at [2.08]. This the nature of the market in a situation like this. It will flip flop between a wicket and a 30-run partnership. Pakistan are [2.32]. Are they really deserving of a 0.49 point swing just because a tailender has managed to swish a few and James Anderson has hung around? Arf! No, of course not.

11.23 Eng 25-1
And here are the prices...
Cook [4.00]
Anderson [4.50] (Any other)
Trott [4.90]
Pietersen [4.80]
Collingwood [6.20]
Prior [4.50] (any other)

11.20 Eng 16-1
Let's take a look at England top second-innings bat market, then. Here are the averages for the key men in third-innings in Tests. We've included James Anderson, the nightwatchman, as a mark of respect.
Cook 41.75
Anderson 14.98
Trott 41.77
Pietersen 43.58
Collingwood 37.88
Prior 31.38

11.05 Eng 11-1
Bend ze knees! Bend ze knees! Alastair Cook does not need a batting coach, he needs a Teutonic ski instructor. Cook's inability to flex his front leg has contributed to his poor run of form. Rather handily, Sky Sports reminded us of the burden on his shoulders by putting together a musical montage of him geting out time after time to the tune of 'Under Pressure'. A confidence-booster for punters looking to lay him for top bat or to score a 50. Interestingly, which do you think is the bigger price of the two. Yep, to score a 50.

11.00 Eng 6-1
Ahoy! This is the statistic which puts England's task sharply into focus: the third-innings all-out average score at The Oval this decade is 257. Pakistan lead by 69. Pakistan are [1.83] and England are [2.54]. Join us for what could be a thrilling day.

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1. Sukh Sadhra | 20 August 2010

   When Cook got his hundred, Nasser Hussain said "he deserves that century".
   What do you think? Opening batsmen deserve centuries for being average at best and not having much competition for thier place in the team? If thats the case I'm owed around 4000 runs I reckon!

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