Cricket

England vs Pakistan 1st Test Preview & Tips - England tipped for victory over inconsistent Pakistan

By Site Editor

2 hours ago

Site Editor 2 hours ago

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England will host Pakistan in a three-match Test series
Joe Root averages 50.59 in Tests for England
Preview, stats & head to head

Joe Root of England (Getty Images)

England vs Pakistan 1st Test Preview & Tips
Head To Head
England Form
Pakistan Form

England vs Pakistan 1st Test Preview & Tips

England are looking to begin a new era in the Test game with Joe Root returning to the helm of the team after Ben Stokes' departure.

Pakistan will sense a huge opportunity to secure a statement win over England with their hosts going through a real change in the longest format.

Pakistan have lost four of their last five Tests (W1)
Joe Root averages 53.11 in Tests against Pakistan

Head To Head

England have won six of their last 10 Tests against Pakistan, with the latter winning twice and two games ending as draws.

England Form

England return to the Test match arena for the first time since their chastening 2-1 series loss to New Zealand across June. This came despite the home side winning the first Test by 115 runs, with New Zealand storming to statement 253-run and 160-run triumphs.

Since this series, captain Ben Stokes has been replaced by Joe Root, while coach Brendon McCullum will be replaced by Stephen Fleming. The captaincy will be a key focal point in this series, with the focus on whether Joe Root can continue to pile on the runs despite having to juggle captaining the team.

Against Pakistan, England have been fairly good, with six of their last 10 ending in wins. The worry will be their run of two wins across their last 10, with seven defeats and a draw coming in this time.

England's squad is undoubtedly talented, but the cracks in their batting unit have cost them on more than one occasion. Indeed, if Root does not fire, there is little in the way of a true longer formats cricketer that wants to soak up pressure and take time at the crease. If England's big guns aren't smashing the ball to all corners, they are likely giving their wickets away cheaply.

Of course, new captaincy and management may see England return to a more classic style of Test cricket. With Pakistan arriving with a batting line-up that is very hit or miss, I back England's bowlers to do the majority of the work as the home side lean on Root for consistent runs.

Pakistan Form

Pakistan may arrive on the back of an eight-wicket win over the West Indies in the longest format, but they are hardly in form, with the side losing seven of their last 10 in the five-day game.

Their second Test against the Windies saw the side posting scores of 387 and 77/2 as they chased down their target of 75 for victory with ease. However, the cracks in their batting unit were clear for all to see in the first Test as they slumped to a 90-run loss after being bowled out for 282 and 120.

Like Root for England, Babar Azam will be key in the middle-order for Pakistan. His ability to score big centuries will be crucial in a batting unit that has a propensity to collapse. If England can get him early, then Pakistan will struggle. The exploits of the top three will be important too, with Pakistan's top-order hoping to allow Azam to arrive with the ball no longer talking.

The major worry for Pakistan in this one will be trying to keep England's quicks quiet. Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson will likely lead England's bowling unit with pace and swing on offer. If the conditions lean towards bowling first and England win the toss, Pakistan will likely struggle.

Verdict

England v Pakistan 1st Test

I am backing Joe Root to impress on his return as captain as he leads England to a much-needed win over Pakistan.

England

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