If the one-day internationals can be as unpredictable as the Tests then an intriguing finale to the international season is on the horizon. That season has been rescued by Pakistan. Back in June the Tests against Sri Lanka, now the rather magnificent victors over Australia in the subcontinent, would never have been able to compete with the drama of a bronze medal in the hammer or a play-off in the water polo. The games were so one-sided.
But Pakistan were able to grab the attention. They were magnificently led by Misbah-ul-Haq, who was as imperturbable as Desmond Lynam in his pomp and probably better at doing press-ups. Of course he stayed calm after his side had endured two Test defeats outside of London, which would have undermined the morale of lesser sides – and captains.
The tour has been spectacularly devoid of off-field incidents, unlike Pakistan’s last two visits here and that reflects well on the captain and management (although this was probably the first tourist team to employ a PR company, which may be able to claim some responsibility for that). When it mattered Younis Khan, after frustration in the first three Tests, delivered in style, while Yasir Shah had the strength of character and skill to bounce back after maulings in Manchester and Birmingham.
By the same token Pakistan have prompted an outbreak of realism over where England stand. Even the most ardent cheerleaders must recognise their limitations. Alastair Cook does not yet have a reliable opening partner; after Joe Root, the middle order is flaky. We knew about the paucity of quality spin bowlers before the season started. Nothing has changed there except the proximity of seven Tests in Asia, in which England will have to play at least two spinners.
Meanwhile Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, brilliant servants that they are, will not be able to defy the number of miles on the clock for much longer.
For the next two weeks the focus will be on the white ball. The first of five ODIs takes place at Ageas Bowl on Wednesday and there is the statutory T20 match at the end. The Super Series is currently locked at eight points each.
Recently England have been more successful with a white ball against Pakistan, having defeated them emphatically in the UAE last winter. They will start as the favourites. The selectors have stuck with the existing pecking order, hardly surprising given that their side also dealt with Sri Lanka with a 3-0 win earlier in the summer.
Hence the likes of Ben Duckett of Northamptonshire and Daniel Bell-Drummond of Kent, who made so merry for the Lions against Sri Lanka A earlier this year, must wait their turns, however intriguing their talents may seem.
James Vince, through modest form this summer, and Steven Finn, through injury, are the only notable absentees.
An illustrious trio returns from injury: the captain Eoin Morgan, the vice-captain Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes, who may start the series as a specialist batsman as he completes his recovery from a calf injury. Clearly this triumvirate is regarded as the heartbeat of the team.
In part this explains why they have been selected even though they have not played any cricket recently. Also, the modern player does not feel the same need for constant competitive cricket in order to perform well for England as so many of his predecessors. Even so, to have three rusty cricketers in the same team is unusual and a potential liability.
These matches are important in their own right. That is what the director of cricket, Andrew Strauss, and his employees, quite rightly insist to be the case. Moreover, the turnover between Test and ODI players is such that there is a guaranteed freshness to the England side when they meet up in Southampton. Only five of the defeated Oval Test team are in the one-day squad.
But there remains a significance beyond the outcome of this series for a few of the players. The contrite Alex Hales will be under scrutiny. He has always seemed more comfortable in England’s coloured clothing. Given his nightmarish Oval Test the selectors will surely keep an eye on his demeanour as well as his output in the matches against Pakistan before contemplating the pre-Christmas tours to Bangladesh and India.
There is plenty to gain for Mark Wood, meanwhile, the irrepressible Durham paceman. He has finally returned to domestic cricket after two ankle operations and has delivered some sharp spells for his county. It does not matter much about the format of the game or the colour of the ball if it is being delivered in excess of 90mph in the right direction.
