It is an oddity of the schedule that after 17 Tests in Asia over the last four years, England are not to return for the next two. Their white-ball sides will return regularly, including for next year’s Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup in 2026, but their next Test tour is not until February 2027, in the form of a two-match series in Bangladesh. .
“It looks like it will be a pretty good wicket for the first two days,” Stokes said. “There’s not enough grass on it to hold it together, so the rationale behind three spinners was, as the game goes on, maybe it will come into play… It was just weighing on what we thought. Who will be effective as the game progresses.
“It’s pretty clear that some rakes have been put into it… I’ve never been a groundsman, but you’d think a rake would help the spin. Work from.” When asked if only one end has been extended, Stokes clarified: “No, both have – but there are some areas.”
While the grass was cut on both sides of the playing surface in the second Test in Multan, only three pitches have been cut on the square in Rawalpindi this week. “The outfield was as lush as it was, and there’s not much (on the square) to work with, we’ll probably struggle to get reverse swing,” admitted Stokes.
Brendon McCullum believed the toss swung the second Test “65-35” in Pakistan’s favour, and it would be crucial again in the third. Stokes said toss plays a bigger role in the subcontinent than any other part of the world. “(But) I don’t think we’re going to have that intense of a situation as the game goes on: when we start it’s going to be a one-day wicket, not a sixth-day one.”
Historically, England have been less adjusted to overseas conditions and find themselves wondering why their medium pacers are ineffective without blades of live grass on the pitches. This year, they have been much more open-minded – as evidenced by the inclusion of Rehan as a wild-card third-spin option, which they hope will create chances even when the pitch is flat.
Stokes played down the relevance of his quiet season for Leicester, saying, “Adding Ryan’s free spirit and desperation to change the game every time he gets the ball has been a huge plus for us this week. It’s a big bonus.” “Legspinners have an amazing ability to open up a game… you need it and don’t need it rather than not.”
His ridiculous outing at Multan belied the fact that he top-scored in England’s second innings, and was the only batsman who relied almost entirely on his sweeps and reverses to achieve success. Searched. For all his impressive leadership, Stokes has not scored a Test century for 16 months: with the series, he will be desperate to end that run.
The success of the McCullum-Stokes regime will ultimately depend on their results against India and Australia next year, but this third Test will go a long way towards determining their team’s credibility in Asia. When asked how important a win would be, Stokes gave a one-word answer: “A lot.” For all that England wants to entertain, this week is their focus.
Matt Roller is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @mroller98
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