A win for the ages
What a victory that is. Hard not to be hyperbolic in the moments after victory but the nature of the win on such a lifeless wicket, the effort, the bravery, the skill… remarkable. Stokes and his side are re-defining the nature of Test cricket in front of our eyes.
The tv has flicked back to Messrs Ward, Butcher and Sangakkarra under the Christmas tree and they are already discussing whether this is England’s greatest ever away win. Let the debate rumble.
Ollie Robinson scoops player of the match, his second innings bowling performance certainly helped get England over the line on the final day, 4-50 on that wicket is a great effort.
Babar Azam: “We were not up to the mark. After England scored 600 we had a plan to try and get above their score. Second innings we had a golden chance to win this Test, but session by session we lost wickets. Our bowling was young and Haris Rauf was injured so that cost us. But all credit to our bowlers. It was difficult, we wanted to stick to our plans, credit to them (England).
We expected that they would declare and we planned according to the situation. We had our opportunity but we couldn’t get partnerships in the end. We have a lot of positives to take, our batting line-up performed very well and the bowling as well, so we will try to continue that in the next match.”
Captain Stokes speaks:
“There’s a few things you can plan for… and some things you can’t. What happened to the squad a few days before the match you can’t plan for (a reference to the sickness bug in the Englands camp). A few days ago we were running around trying to start on time. So credit to the group for coming here, turning up under the weather, Will Jacks getting the nod at the last minute and Popey having to take the gloves. What we’ve had to deal with makes this win even better.
“We’ve played eight or nine Test matches with me and Brendon in charge and we try to focus on ourselves, take the positive option and not second guess ourselves with what the opposition might do. We’ve got an exciting team and it was a great pitch to bat on, so a chance for us to go and express themselves. For the lads to run in all day as they did today, it’s great as a captain to see that enthusiasm. I don’t think I’ve seen a group that want to put their bodies on the line so much. This is a really special group.
We wanted to come here and carry on with our mantra of exciting cricket and giving ourselves an opportunity to win. We’ve no interest in drawing. On pitches like this you have to make things happen, make some bold decisions. We had to entice the batters to play a shot at times. Went with the seamers, and that paid off - James Anderson was fantastic today. At lunch we were in the perfect position, said to the lads this is why we declared. Probably had about eight minutes before we come off. I think it’s maybe up there with one of England’s greatest away wins. The toil everyone has put in is hitting everyone, Anderson is emotional up there. We’ve done something very special this week.”
Fine words.
That is it from me. It was a real pleasure to OBO the climax of that remarkable Test match. Thanks to Tanya for doing the early shift and thanks to you all for tuning in and serving up sparkling emails and comments as per usual. We’ll be back in three days to cover the second Test from Multan. Until then, take care and goodbye!
Updated
Recency bias and all that, but I've not seen a better Test win by England than that.
— Scott Oliver (@reverse_sweeper) December 5, 2022
Boldness, imagination, heart, skill, a Corinthian attitude to improve the game for the betterment of all. Just phenomenal.
Ben Stokes -- I love you, man. Unreal player, mind-blowing captain.
Updated
