After rain dominated the second Test, England and Pakistan will lock horns for one final time in the third Test, starting from Friday at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The three-Test series is currently in favour of the hosts as they lead 1-0 but it has been a closely fought contest between the two sides.
However, when the two sides square off at Southampton, weather is likely to be a concern at it might play a spoilsport all over again. If it remains so then England will continue to hold their stranglehold over Pakistan as they have never lost a home series since 2010. A win for England will also be crucial as far as the ICC World Test Championship is concerned as it will take them ahead of Australia in the points table at second spot.
Similarly for Pakistan, who have 153 points in their kitty, can leapfrog New Zealand to fourth place. Both teams might make some necessary changes in the line-up as for England James Anderson might be rested with Pakistan replacing Fawad Alam with Shadab Khan.
England vs Pakistan, 2020, 3rd Test Match Details
The 2nd Test between England and Pakistan will be played on Thursday (August 21) at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. The match will start at 11:00 AM local time (03:30 PM IST).
England vs Pakistan, 2020, 3rd Test Pitch Conditions
Average 1st innings score: 335 (In 82 Tests played at the venue)
Matches won batting first: W-33, L-15
England vs Pakistan, 2020, 3rd Test, Dream 11, Fantasy Tips
- Abid Ali looked in good touch in the second Test and could be relied on.
- Don’t pick Azhar Ali as he has looked out of form right throughout the series
- Consistent is his approach Babar Azam could be picked up as a captain ot vice-captain
- James Anderson might be rested to among the fast bowlers Stuart Broad remains the key.
- Sam Curran and Chris Woakes are a must in the side. In fact, Woakes is a trump card, not to miss out on.
- Zak Crawley replaced Ben Stokes and scored a half-century. He could prove to be handy once again along side Dominic Sibley.
England vs Pakistan, 2020, 3rd Test: Injury & Availability Update
Ben Stokes is unavailable as his flown back to New Zealand to spent time with his family.
England vs Pakistan, 2020, 3rd Test: Predicted Playing XI
England: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Joe Root (c), Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Dom Bess, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood
Pakistan: Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali (c), Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Captain: Babar Azam, Chris Woakes
Vice-Captain: Jos Buttler, Dom Sibley, Yasir Shah
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:
Wicket-keeper– Mohammad Rizwan, Jos Buttler
Batsmen– Shan Masood, Babar Azam (vc), Joe Root, Rory Burns, Ollie Pope
All-rounder– Chris Woakes (c)
Bowler– Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Stuart Broad
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket
Wicket-keeper– Jos Buttler
Batsmen– Fawad Alam, Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Joe Root, Dom Sibley
All-rounder– Chris Woakes (vc)
Bowler– Yasir, Shah Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Mark Wood