In away Test cricket, Chris Woakes averages 51.88 with the ball. Even so, the England team management gave him the benefit of the doubt for the three-match series against Pakistan; nonetheless, the seamer’s maiden Test match didn’t go well on Day 1.
Head coach Brendon McCullum expressed faith in Woakes prior to the game and predicted a comeback, but the pacer fell short of expectations.
Former cricketer Michael Atherton analysed Chris Woakes’ bowling and found that he didn’t pick wickets quickly.
After analyzing the Multan circuit, he concluded that there was no reverse swing in the offing, rendering Woakes ineffectual for the most part of the race. At the end of the day, he managed to get rid of Babar Azam, but Atherton wasn’t really thrilled.
He said that the England bowlers shouldn’t be held to a high standard just because they had a difficult day in the field. Notably, Pakistan scored 328/4 on the opening day, with little help from England’s bowlers. Atherton said that the pitch was naturally level and offered little to the bowlers, but he also pointed out that the England bowlers weren’t making enough of an effort to pick wickets.
England cannot be judged too harshly. You must keep in mind that flat fields and lengthy, hot days are typical in this region of the world for Test cricket. Additionally, England hasn’t looked like they’re taking wickets, and Atherton told Sky Sports that.
“Though he didn’t appear to be collecting wickets with the new ball and hasn’t shown any reverse swing, Chris Woakes still has a point to prove in foreign conditions. Additionally, Brydon Carse is making his Test debut, and Gus Atkinson is playing his first Test overseas; so, Atherton said, “There are mitigating circumstances.”
Also Read: ‘Bowlers graveyard’- Kevin Pietersen shows discontentment with flat Multan track
On the first day, Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique stood out for Pakistan, with both players getting centuries. Pakistan would like to carry on in the same way on Day 2 and increase the pressure on England bowlers, who had a very difficult opening day to the series.
India
