Mickey Arthur, the Pakistan head coach, has looked to turn the pressure back on England’s middle order before Wednesday’s third Test by reminding James Vince and Gary Ballance they are playing for their places.
The series is locked at 1-1 going into the penultimate instalment at Edgbaston following England’s 330-run win at Old Trafford last week, a match in which Alastair Cook and Joe Root contributed 506 of the 762 runs scored by the home side.
With No4 Vince averaging 18.57 in his five Tests this summer – and the No5 Ballance only just back in the team this series following a year out of the side – Arthur sees a vulnerability in England’s lineup, provided Pakistan’s attack can get past their captain and his deputy.
Arthur said: “Vince and Ballance are quality players but at this level confidence is such an important thing. They clearly know when they walk out to bat that they are playing for their Test places. So that provides another level of pressure. It’s not just the opposition running in and bowling a cricket ball at you. Suddenly that pressure is intensified as they’re playing for their places as well. As I say, they are quality players but we feel if we can get into them with the new ball we’ve got a real good chance.
“We have had a look at Cook and Root again and analysed our plans against them; what we did well and what we did not do well. We see Cook and Root as fundamental to England’s batting. We’ve spent our time wisely, rehashing our plans and we get here ready for the third Test.”
England go into the third Test shorn of Ben Stokes – the all-rounder suffered a torn calf muscle at Old Trafford – and must now decide between Jake Ball and Steven Finn for the final seamer’s position, unless the pitch at Edgbaston brings a second spinner, Adil Rashid, into the equation.
Jimmy Anderson, the home side’s record Test wicket-taker, sees the latter path being unlikely. “Usually here we’ve had success with seamers. That’s the way we might head if the pitch and conditions are similar. With rain around for the next few days, you would have to think seamers will play a big part.
“We know how strong Pakistan are – we saw that in the first Test at Lord’s. We got the better of them at Old Trafford but we expect a performance and with the series level, they will come back hard. We need to be on our toes.”
