Southampton: After terrific fightback in the first Test at Manchester, England will aim to win Test series at the Ageas Bowl starting on Thursday against Pakistan.
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Pakistan Test squad practice session at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton. pic.twitter.com/cii8FnJqmx
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 11, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">Pakistan Test squad practice session at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton. pic.twitter.com/cii8FnJqmx
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 11, 2020Pakistan Test squad practice session at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton. pic.twitter.com/cii8FnJqmx
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 11, 2020
The hosts lead the series 1-0 following their thrilling three-wicket win in the first Test in Manchester. The stunning comeback victory has firmly put the momentum in their corner going into the Southampton Test.
For England, the one concern will be the absence of talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has flown to New Zealand for family reasons. Although he didn't have the best of games in Manchester, his mere presence lifts the whole squad and that would be surely missed by Joe Root and his troops.
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Representing our youth at the biggest cricket stage 🙌 #InternationalYouthDay pic.twitter.com/5IpOnzfOZO
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 12, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">Representing our youth at the biggest cricket stage 🙌 #InternationalYouthDay pic.twitter.com/5IpOnzfOZO
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 12, 2020Representing our youth at the biggest cricket stage 🙌 #InternationalYouthDay pic.twitter.com/5IpOnzfOZO
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 12, 2020
"We now have to complete the job without Ben Stokes. He is someone we would miss even if he was unable to bowl or hit a ball. He has such an impact in the changing room beyond what he does in the middle," England pacer Jofra Archer wrote in his column for Daily Mail.
"If you are going into battle, Stokes is the person you want right next to you. He would never run away from a challenge, but family is so important and he has to be in New Zealand right now," he added.
Stokes' absence means veteran fast-bowler James Anderson might get another crack in the series, who recently had to dismiss retirement rumours following an indifferent outing in the first Test.