ENG v PAK, 4th Test Preview: All to play for in final Test

The fourth and final Test at The Oval will bring to a close what has been a supremely entertaining ENG v PAK Test series. While both sides have had their highs and lows, it will be all to play for as both sides will take to the field for what will be a match that can determine the entire outcome of the series altogether. Pakistan needs a win and England will be hoping to do all they can to stop them from winning and leveling the series. That said, a mouthwatering encounter is certainly on the cards as both these Test match heavyweights face-off for the final time in the series.

Pitch Conditions

Over the years, it is fair to say that The Oval has catered to perhaps some of the most entertaining matches of all time. However, the very fact that the last few matches have either been series wins or marred by rain will not be good news as far as Pakistan and their fans are concerned. However, the visitors will be hoping to go in with a similar combination as they make an attempt to level the series.

Team Analysis

England

Coming into the encounter, England will be careful to underestimate their opponents. Alastair Cook will know all too well what happens when an opponent is backed into a corner. However, the very fact that they have come from behind to lead 2-1 in the series seems to be enough to boost the morale of the Brits. However, as has been well documented in the previous series, it is clear that Cook will be motivating his men to go in for the kill and pick up a win, at least to lift the series trophy with a smile on their faces.

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Earlier in the week, England coach Trevor Bayliss had hinted that Adil Rashid may be introduced into the match, given the fact that there is a turn on the wicket at The Oval as early as day two. In short, Alastair Cook will certainly be hoping that there is some purchase in the wicket for the seamers so that James Anderson and Stuart Broad can unleash their brand of pace bowling on the Pakistanis.

Pakistan

Coming into the match, Pakistan will feel the heat. Backed into a corner, Misbah will certainly understand that even his players, especially the ones with little or no Test match experience will feel the pressure. This will certainly be a good time to play the ‘father figure’ role that he has been doing for some time now.

The Pakistanis have yet another selection conundrum on their hands following Mohammad Hafeez’s failure to launch in the previous Test. Although he has been working on his bowling technique for quite a while, it is clear that it is certainly time for a change. Mickey Arthur has gone on to tip Iftikhar Khan to make his Test debut in the final Test at The Oval.

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Playing XI (Probable)

England: Alastair Cook (C), Jonny Bairstow (WK), Alex Hales, Joe Root, James Vince, Gary Ballance, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Adil Rashid

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (C), Sarfraz Ahmed (WK), Sami Aslam, Ifthikar Ahmed/Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah

StAttack

Misbah-ul-Haq requires 381 runs to complete 5000 runs in Test match cricket. Similarly, Asad Shafiq requires 238 runs to complete 3000 runs in Test match cricket. However, whether they are able to reach that mark in the fourth Test remains to be seen.

Yasir Shah requires 10 wickets to complete 100 wickets in Test cricket. Similarly, Rahat Ali requires 2 wickets to complete 50 wickets in Test matches.

Joe Root requires 60 runs to complete 4000 Test match runs. Among the top run-getters for England, Root also has the third highest average of 55.49. He is behind Jack Hobbs and Len Hutton, both of whom did not play after the 1960’s.

James Anderson has the second highest five-wicket hauls for England in Tests with 21 to his name. He is 6 behind Ian Botham. The latter is also one 10-wicket haul ahead of Anderson with 4.

Although it is impossible for him to reach it in The Oval Test match, Stuart Broad required 26 wickets to become England’s second highest wicket-taker of all time. He is currently ranked in third place with 357 wickets, 26 behind the great Sir Ian Botham. Together James Anderson and Stuart Broad have a mammoth 819 wickets.

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Interestingly, Stuart Broad has much more luck than Jimmy Anderson at The Oval. Broad boasts of 25 wickets at the venue while Anderson has less than 10 wickets here.

Alastair Cook requires 138 runs to complete 1000 runs at The Oval. Should he do so, he will become only the third batsman after Len Hutton and Graham Gooch to achieve this feat.

Four of the last five Tests at The Oval have produced results. Interestingly, all four of these results have been innings victories with England winning two of these matches.