Re: Pakistan vs England, 1st Test, Multan
England underdogs for Multan Test
England start the first Test against Pakistan in Multan as underdogs just 61 days after being hailed as heroes during the Ashes victory parade.
They were favourites at the start of the tour but Michael Vaughan’s knee injury and defeat by Pakistan A means bookmakers now favour the hosts.
Marcus Trescothick will lead a side set to include Hampshire spinner Shaun Udal, making a debut at 36.
Pakistan are able to pick from a squad of 16, all of whom are fit. One interesting area of selection for the home side is the number six batting slot, currently in the hands of Asim Kamal.
Hasan Raza, who played his first Test at the age of 14 in 1996, is set for a comeback and could oust Kamal.
Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said: "I would think [Raza] will play although we have not finalised our playing XI as yet. “He has been in prime form and scored a lot of runs. You would like to play an in-form player who is high on confidence in such an important Test.”
He added: "We have a little bit of an advantage because Vaughan is not playing.
“But we know the England team are still very strong and we will have to work hard and play very good cricket to beat them.”
England’s team is set to include out-of-form Ian Bell, with Paul Collingwood also playing.
It means the only change from the team that drew the last Test at The Oval is Udal in place of Vaughan, giving the team an extra bowler, but one fewer batsman.
Trescothick is mindful of Bell’s lack of runs but insists nonetheless he is capable of rising to the occasion.
“He missed out on one of the warm-up games, but I have a lot of confidence that he will do well,” said Trescothick. “It is an opportunity for him here. The wickets are pretty good, and I hope he can take advantage in this series.”
He said the team were in good shape mentally for what could be an arduous battle of wits in Multan.
“The boys have sort of switched on in the last couple of days.”
“Losing the tour match does give you a bit of wake-up call to make sure you do remain switched on and you work hard.”
Chairman of selectors David Graveney acknowledges that Trescothick’s task is a hard one.
“It is a difficult job coming in as temporary captain because you haven’t got the time to stamp your personality on it,” he said.
“Fortunately he’s coming into a winning dressing room - the system is working, the spirit is there.”
England have drawn 17 of 21 Tests in Pakistan.
Multan has only hosted three Tests - but all have achieved results, with Pakistan beating Bangladesh twice and losing once to India.
That match, played 18 months ago, featured a first innings score of 675-5 by India, who won by an innings. The weather forecast is for fine weather with highs of around 27 degrees through the Test, but there may be some mist and dew first thing each day.
SOURCE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/4426272.stm
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