Hard on the heels of the Ashes triumph follows the fall, as England are dealt a great big spanking in Pakistan. A few delivered, many others didn’t. Andrew Flintoff, big hearted as always, was right there while the likes of Geriant Jones and debuta
Andrew Miller04-Dec-2005
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8 Andrew FlintoffNobody poured more effort into England’s campaign than Flintoff, and for
that reason his desperate display at Lahore deserves some mitigation.
Utter exhaustion is forgivable in the circumstances, especially when it is
coupled with the sort of dejection he must have felt at finishing on the
losing side at Multan. In that match he produced a career-best haul of 8
for 156 and looked the most complete fast bowler in the world. His batting
suffered as a side-effect, and he produced more than his fair share of
dumb dismissals. But he also produced a match-saving 56 at Faisalabad, not
to mention more overs – 140.1 – than any other player on display.8 Ian BellEngland’s solitary success story in the batting ranks. A traumatic Ashes
series looked like extending into a tough winter of drinks-waitering when
he was initially overlooked for Multan, but Vaughan’s knee offered a
reprieve that he gratefully accepted. Capped his series with a century at
Faisalabad, and made big runs in each of the three matches. Still shows a
tendency to go missing when the stakes are at their highest, but has an
appetite for accumulation that no England batsman has matched since
Michael Atherton.7.5 Steve HarmisonWidely tipped to go missing mentally, given his previous problems with
homesickness in Pakistan, but instead hit a subcontinental length from his
first spell at Multan and stuck to it rigidly to the tune of 12 wickets –
nine more than the great Dennis Lillee managed on these same pitches.
Mohammad Yousuf described his spell on the third evening at Lahore as one
of the finest he had ever faced, and as if that was not inspirational
enough, Harmison, at No. 11, was one of the few English players to execute
the sweep shot properly.7 Marcus TrescothickFaultless display as England’s stand-in captain at Multan, where his 193
should have set up a memorable victory, and made important first-innings
contributions in the final two Tests as well. His second-innings stats
were another thing entirely, however. He managed just five runs in three
innings, including ducks at Faisalabad and Lahore as Shoaib Akhtar tore
chunks out of England’s resolve. Deserved better support from his
team-mates, but his struggles confirmed that the defeat was no fluke.7 Paul CollingwoodStuck at his task, but not even scores of 96 and 80 at Lahore could fully
convince the doubters, who question whether Collingwood has the technique
or temperament to thrive as a Test-class No. 4. As a team-man, his
attitude is unrivalled, and his disappointment at Lahore was keenly felt
by all who have appreciated his uncomplaining approach, even when
opportunities have been hard to come by. His bowling was heralded as a
trump card on these wickets, but it was his rival Bell who bagged the most
scalps – all one of them, and even that was dubious.7 Geraint JonesOne of the few players to make genuine strides on this tour. His batting
was solid without ever blooming into something spectacular, but it was his
wicketkeeping that caught the eye – or rather, didn’t, because he hardly
had a blemish in all three matches. Crouching lower than in the summer,
and with a wider cordon to allow him fuller expression with those diving
chances in front of slip, he took 11 catches on the slow low strips and
ensured that Matt Prior remained nothing more than an eager understudy.7 Matthew HoggardLearned the ropes as a rookie on this tour in 2000-01, and proved that the
lessons had sunk in with a disciplined and penetrative performance in all
three Tests. Consistently found swing with the new ball – if only ever for
a couple of overs – and seemed set to rescue his batsmen’s blushes when he
grabbed two early wickets at Lahore. Did as much as could have been asked
of him.6 Kevin PietersenA stylish hundred at Faisalabad, but it was the manner of his parting –
caught slogging across the line one ball after raising his century with a
six – that said the most about KP’s contribution to this series. Initially
earmarked as England’s No. 4, Pietersen remained one place lower
throughout, which was perhaps a hint that his application was not
everything that Duncan Fletcher had hoped. His talent is so intense that
he will always leave the fans wanting more. But in the second innings at
both Multan and Lahore, they deserved more as well.6 Liam PlunkettEngland’s youngest Test debutant since Ben Hollioake in 1997, Plunkett
passed his test with flying colours and confirmed that he has a bright
future in the game. Batted with nerve and plucked an effortless catch
before he was even called upon to perform his strongest suit, but he
didn’t disappoint with the ball either, generating pace and accuracy, and
providing England with two breakthroughs that, with a bit more of a total
to defend, might have given Pakistan greater cause for concern.
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5 Michael VaughanA tough tour for England’s semi-fit skipper. His trip appeared to be over
when his knee locked up at Bagh-e-Jinnah, and though he returned for the
final two matches, his rehabilitation appeared rushed at best and
foolhardy at worst, especially when he mustered 11 runs at Faisalabad. A
return to the top of the order heralded a late blossoming at Lahore, but
it was all too brief. Fifty-eight sparkling runs in the first innings were
rendered inconsequential by a rash sweep-shot, and his captaincy lacked
the imagination he had shown in the summer4 Andrew StraussUntil this series, Strauss hadn’t failed to score a century in a series
against major opponents, but with fatherhood impending, he never looked
like extending that proud record. His mind was back in England long before
the rest of his body followed suit, as he proved by dropping
Inzamam-ul-Haq on the midwicket boundary in the closing stages at
Faisalabad. Though he’s guaranteed an immediate return to the top of the
order for the India trip, there is some question as to whether he should
have come on this leg at all.4 Ashley GilesArrived in the country with a reputation to maintain, but was hampered by
a hip injury that forced him to miss the final match, and remained a
shadow of the man who took 17 wickets in the same series five years ago.
Sent down too many full-tosses that destroyed his rhythm, and was unable
to extract anything but the most negligible turn. But his full value was
only recognised in his absence, as England toiled for three days at Lahore
with barely a sniff of salvation.4 Shaun UdalPromising beginnings at the end of a long, long wait, when he took his
maiden Test wicket at the age of 36. But Udal’s penetration receded as the
tour progressed, as his economy-rate ballooned all the while. By the time
he was selected as the solitary spinner at Lahore, Pakistan had his
number, and cashed in with alacrity in their single mighty innings. That
Udal bowled 18 overs in that innings, to Harmison’s 43 and Flintoff’s 36,
was ample proof that he had failed his biggest test. His batting was a
bonus, mind you. Almost Gilesesque, in fact.
