England v Pakistan - Official Third Test Match Thread (Final day)

[Vrock]

Please discuss all events, including the build-up, for the final day's play of the third test match at Headingley.

Can England bowl out Pakistan in the 90 overs remaining or will Pakistan fight it out for a draw or get themselves into a position to win the match?

[Ernest]

Yep Vrock England are capable of bowling out Pakistan, in fact they really should with the pitch likely to suit Panesar, and also Harmison if he pitches a few more deliveries up - with his hight he should still get some bounce even of a fuller length.

However as we are all aware England are as capable of bowling poor sessions, as Pakistan are batting poor in their second innings.

To close to call, and it could stay that way until mid afternoon.

[Maranello]

Well I hope Pakistan can do it, but it really would be remarkable if they can win. In my view, an England win or a draw are more likely outcomes - to score 323 in just a day, on a last day pitch, against a quality spinner and a very good fast bowler, is not easy. There is a reason it has only happened once before at this ground!

[Naveed33]

This is not normal 5 day pitch. It is still a belter just look at how england played yesterday. it was a good effort to bowl England out. Pakistan stepped up their bowling unlike whenn england bowled in the first inn. none of their bowlers looked like taking a wicket (with the exception of Monty).

One more thing to take into account. Wolmer said several days ago this pitch resembels a typical pakistani pitch. A pitch going slow and low does not bother pakistanis. Hampshire made 404 for five to win a championship match against Yorkshire earlier this season.

The main thing will be if pakistan get off to a good start. Monty will probably be bowling over the wicket into the rough all day, but i am sure the managment have a plan to counter that. If monty does go over the wicket and defensive, england reduced their best chance of taking wicket.

[batoutofhell]

I would like to see Pakistan openers batting out first session without many risks once passed the the score 175-200(probably midway through second session)they can start play attacking cricket especially sending soem lower order batsmen fo rquick scoring(they really miss player like afridi in this match)
because this tactics worked for some good extent for indian team off-late
they used this against both england west indies teams in the recent test series
i hope they will not play for a draw(this can put more presurre on the batsmen)
the pitch looks still good for batting(odd ball turns and bounces)
still its a 5th day wicket one would expect it to deteriorate more and giving uneven bounce for the bowler
Looking forward to an exciting day in progress

[greg]

I think that this is going to be a tight one.England need early wickets and to get at least one of Younis or Yousuf out before lunch so it puts pressure on the other with Inzy unable to bat till after tea.If the big 2 are still together at tea then Pakistan will cruise home.

Monty is the key man for England as after he comes on you can rotate the pace men at the other end.I can see Monty bowling at least 30 overs today.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Haven't posted at all on this match so far as i've been too busy at work to write anything, but i've been following most of it on the radio and it's been a fascinating match so far, really good test cricket. Being the standard pessimistic England fan i do think we've blown it, another 40 runs or so and we could have been in with a better chance but 320 should be relatively easy for Pakistan.

Imo the only way Pakistan will lose this game is if they choose to, if they implode like they did in the last test then we could win, but otherwise it will be a draw or Pakistan win. Hoggard and Harmison both seem to be nursing slight injuries according to the TMS team and aren't bowling well anyway, Saj just can't seem to get it right at all and there's not enough in the pitch for monty. Might be the day for the surprising match winners of Bell and Collingwood bowling Even when our bowlers are bowling well they give away at least one bad ball an over, with the two Y's in top form that's easily more than the required run rate.

Still, a bit of luck, dodgy umpiring decision or a couple of unplayable deliveries and the whole game changes, I think Pakistan would be daft not to try and go for the win, they could easily do it on this pitch. I think if they make it to lunch without losing a wicket or even only being 2 down and say no more than 4 down by tea i think they'll come out all guns blazing and score what would probably only be the final 100 runs before the close of play.

Obviously i'm hoping for an England win, but both sides deserve the win, England made a good first innings total, then Pakistan batted fantastically well for the 3rd and 4th wicket, then England came back well, then Pakistan eeked out a lead, then England soaked up the pressure to get off to a good start, then collapsed, then fought back, now Pakistan have the advantage but the longer they leave it the more the advantage will swing back the other way.

Test cricket is so much better than odi's, good luck to both teams and lets hope we have another top class game between the number 2 and 3 sides in the world.

[flanflinger]

too right Vic, a fascinating day in progress, and it demonstrates why Test cricket is the best form of the game. Nothing predictable, will they chase, if they lose a few wickets will they shut up shop, how well will England bowl?

I am not as pessimistic and feel that 323 is going to be very difficult to chase with on a fifth day pitch (belter or not). I am confident England can do it, but I don't feel either team deserves to lose.

[Mr Hutt]

I think today is the day for Monty Panesar to shut up all his citics (including me) and show us if he really can win a match for his team, pak play spin well but the pitch is turning well and with his control he could do it, its time to step up to the plate monty!!! its game time! lets see what ya really got!!

[flanflinger]

Avkar,

Were you sleepng through the Old Trafford Test - 5 wickets (all three of the great Pakistan middle order) in a game that England won?? I don't understand how he needs to step up to the plate and prove he can win games for England?