England moved very close to a second straight Test win over Pakistan after a difficult and rain-hit third day at Lord’s. At the close of play, England stood at 177 for seven in their second innings. That gave them a huge overall lead of 357 runs.
The main star of the day was Dan Lawrence. The England batter made an unbeaten 50 from 66 balls. His calm and brave effort helped England add important runs on a pitch that made life very hard for batters. Lawrence also hit six fours and two sixes during his stay at the crease.
The third day was badly affected by rain and poor light. Only 24.5 overs were possible at Lord’s. The first session was lost because of rain, and play did not start until 2.20pm. More rain came later, and bad light then brought the day to an early close.
Even with so little play, England made their position much stronger. Pakistan now face a huge task if they want to level the three-Test series.
England Start With a Big Lead
England began the third day at 81 for three in their second innings. They already had a lead of 261 runs at that point. Pakistan had been bowled out for only 110 in their first innings on the second day.
That low score gave England a major advantage. The hosts only needed to add more runs and then give their bowlers enough time to attack the Pakistan batting line-up again.
Pakistan did make early progress once play finally began. Emilio Gay, who was unbeaten on 30 overnight, fell soon after the restart. Mohammad Abbas found a ball that stayed very low and trapped Gay lbw for 31.
The pitch had plenty of movement. The ball moved off the seam and did not always rise in the same way. These conditions made it hard for England to score freely.
Harry Brook Gives England Support
After Gay’s dismissal, Dan Lawrence joined Harry Brook at the crease. The two batters had a tough job. Pakistan’s bowlers kept the pressure high, and the pitch offered plenty of help to the seamers.
Lawrence and Brook still put together a useful stand of 45 runs. Brook showed patience at first and tried to deal with the movement in a careful way.
His effort ended when Abbas produced another good ball. Brook edged it behind, and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan took the catch. Brook made 34 from 56 balls and hit five fours.
Brook’s wicket gave Pakistan some hope, but England still had a large advantage. Lawrence stayed at the crease and took more control of the innings.
Lawrence Shows Great Character
Lawrence’s 50 was one of the most important parts of the day. He did not try to play every ball with force. Instead, he waited for chances and took them when they came.
At times, he also chose attack as the best form of defence. He hit Mohammad Ali for a four and a six. He later hit Ali Usman for six with a slog sweep over mid-wicket.
Lawrence reached his half-century with a single to deep square leg. It was his second fifty in as many Tests. He had also made 51 in the first Test at Headingley.
His return to the England Test side has now produced two useful scores in two matches. The 29-year-old had been away from the Test team for two years before this Pakistan series.
His return came after Ben Stokes retired from international cricket. Lawrence now has a chance to make a strong case for a regular place in the side.
Pakistan Bowlers Keep Fighting
Although England had full control of the match, Pakistan’s bowlers did not give up. Mohammad Abbas was the best of them once again.
Abbas took three wickets for 48 runs in England’s second innings. His three wickets came at important times and stopped England from adding an even bigger total.
His match total had reached seven wickets by the end of the third day. He had already made a strong impact earlier in the match.
Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali also took two wickets each in the England second innings. Their efforts kept England from moving too quickly towards a declaration.
Still, the bowling success did not change the larger picture. Pakistan’s first-innings total of 110 had left them with a very large gap to close.
England Lose More Wickets
Lawrence lost partners at the other end as England tried to add more runs.
Jamie Smith, who had made 61 in England’s first innings, could score only seven in the second. Abbas was again the bowler who made the breakthrough.
Gus Atkinson also fell for seven. Mohammad Ali trapped him lbw soon after the tea break.
At that stage, England were 162 for seven. Lawrence was still there, however, and he continued to find ways to score.
Ollie Robinson then joined him. Robinson was unbeaten on two when the players left the field for the final time.
England reached 177 for seven before bad light ended the day.
Rain Becomes a Major Story
The weather was almost as important as the cricket at Lord’s. Only 24.5 overs were played during the entire third day.
Rain delayed the start until 2.20pm. More rain caused several breaks during the afternoon. The players later left the field again, and there was hope that play could resume.
Conditions did improve later. There were even signs of better weather near the ground. Yet the umpires finally called off play at about 6.30pm because of bad light.
The decision caused frustration among some spectators. Many fans had spent a large amount of money to watch the Test but saw very little cricket.
The weather problem also made it harder for England to finish the match on the third day. With a lead of 357 runs, England were already in a very strong position.
Pakistan Face a Huge Chase
Pakistan now face a task that is close to impossible. England’s lead is already 357 runs, and the hosts still have three wickets left in their second innings.
England can add more runs on the fourth day or choose to declare. Once Pakistan begin their second innings, they will need a huge score to win the match.
The record also does not favour Pakistan. The highest successful fourth-innings chase at Lord’s is 344 for one by the West Indies in 1984.
Pakistan have also never scored more than 234 in the fourth innings of a Test against England in England. That history shows just how hard the task will be.
Their batting form in this series has also been poor. Pakistan scored 171 and 135 in their two innings during the first Test at Headingley. England won that match by an innings and 103 runs.
At Lord’s, Pakistan were then bowled out for 110 in their first innings.
England Close In on the Series Win
England entered the Lord’s Test with a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Their first Test win at Headingley gave them a strong start under Joe Root.
A win at Lord’s would give England a 2-0 series lead and secure the series with one match still left. The third Test is due to take place at Edgbaston from September 9 to 13.
For Pakistan, the situation is far more difficult. They need a huge effort from their batters and bowlers to change the match.
England, on the other hand, have a strong pace attack, a large lead and a difficult pitch for batting.
Lawrence Gives England Another Big Boost
Dan Lawrence has now made two fifties in two Tests. His unbeaten 50 at Lord’s may prove more important than the number itself.
He came into the side after a two-year absence and had a clear chance to show that he still belongs at Test level. His first fifty at Headingley gave him confidence. His latest effort has made his case even stronger.
Lawrence also spoke about a change in his approach. He said he now wants to enjoy his cricket and take each chance instead of worrying too much about his place in the team.
That attitude was clear at Lord’s. The conditions were difficult, wickets fell around him, and rain kept stopping the match. Lawrence stayed calm and helped England reach 177 for seven.
England will resume the fourth day with a 357-run lead. Lawrence will be unbeaten on 50, while Ollie Robinson will be on two.
Pakistan need something close to a miracle. England need only a few more steps to turn their control at Lord’s into another Test victory and a series win.
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