England captain Ben Stokes gives honest assessment of controversial Pakistan tactics
Pakistan have decided to use the same wicket in Multan for the second Test match against England - an unprecedented but not illegal tactic which they hope will end losing streak
by Felix Keith · The MirrorBen Stokes has admitted that England would consider using the same pitch twice if they were in a desperate situation like Pakistan.
Pakistan have taken the unprecedented decision to play the second Test on the same pitch which produced a run-fest and a record England victory in Multan last week. The wicket was dubbed a “bowlers’ graveyard” by ex-England star Kevin Pietersen after the away team racked up 823-7, but Pakistan are gambling on the worn surface taking spin this time around.
The hosts have made sweeping changes for the second Test on Tuesday, calling up left-arm spinner Noman Ali, leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood and off-spinner Sajid Khan, while dropping star batter Babar Azam and fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah. Jason Gillespie’s side are under huge pressure following six straight defeats and 11 Tests at home without victory.
Stokes returns to the England side after missing the last four Tests with a torn hamstring and isn’t concerned about Pakistan’s tactics. “It’s the first time ever I’ve played on a used wicket in a Test series. It could be a tactic,” he said.
“But I think if we went 1-0 down at home, we would probably be going to our groundsman at the second Test saying, ‘can we have a bit more of this and a bit more of that’ to use home advantage in our favour.
“We could sit here and say ‘it’s going to do this, it’s going to do that’ but who knows? A used pitch brings a lot more into the game for both teams, actually. If it does spin more, if it does reverse more, there’s more options there for both teams.”
Stokes has come into the side alongside Matthew Potts to create an all-Durham seam attack alongside Brydon Carse, with Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson rested. They have resisted the temptation to bring in Rehan Ahmed to play alongside spinners Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir, with Stokes confident in the balance of the side.
“I’d written a few teams down with me not bowling and it just didn’t work,” he admitted. “It’s obviously got to be sensible but I’m playing as a third seamer. I’m available to bowl and when I sense the time is right for me to maybe come on and make an impact, there won’t be any doubts in my mind that I can come on and bowl.
“I’ve had a fair few injuries, it’s part of what we do, part of how I play cricket but I like to keep a positive mindset. Not only do I have a goal of getting my body back into a state of being able to play but I also have an individual goal of making sure I’m physically fitter than when I got injured. I’ve put myself through a fitness test over the last couple of days and come through that pretty well.”
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