Trescothick, Bell tighten England control in Pakistan

MULTAN – Marcus Trescothick and Ian Bell struck fluent half-centuries to strengthen England’s early grip on the first test against Pakistan at the Multan Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Captain Trescothick was unbeaten on 87 and Bell not out 60 as England reached tea on 174 for one on the second day in reply to Pakistan’s first innings of 274. The pair shared in an unbroken stand of 156 for the second wicket after fast bowler Mohammad Sami removed left-handed opener Andrew Strauss for nine, leg before wicket in the morning session.Pakistan, who had resumed on their overnight score of 244 for six, lost their last four wickets for just 30 runs in 11.2 overs with Andrew Flintoff taking four for 68 and Steve Harmison three for 37.Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was dismissed by Flintoff for 53, his 40th half-century in his 103rd test.After England reached lunch on 72 for one, left-hander Trescothick and right-hander Bell maintained a good scoring rate against a flagging Pakistan attack on a good batting pitch.Trescothick was in good touch, greeting fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar with successive fours in his second spell before driving leg spinner Danish Kaneria over mid-off for a flat six to reach his 50 in 93 balls.By tea, he had struck 12 fours and a six in 145 balls.Bell, batting more sedately, hit four fours in 138 balls after securing his fifth test fifty.Kaneria, regarded as the home team’s potential trump card, bowled 12 overs without success, conceding 45 runs.However, he came close to removing Trescothick leg before wicket when the Englishman played and missed at a turning delivery on 47.* Meanwhile, England off-spinner Shaun Udal, playing his first test at the age of 36, described his wicket on day one of the first test against Pakistan on Saturday as “very special.”Udal said that although England’s bowlers had fought back to reduce Pakistan to 244 for six, he was not going to get carried away with one good day after returning to the England team 10 years after he last played a one-day international.Udal played the last of his 10 one-day internationals against the West Indies in 1995.He took his first test wicket when Pakistan opener Salman Butt slashed at a wide ball and it flew to Marcus Trescothick at slip only to pop out of his hands.Keeper Geraint Jones dived to catch the ball inches off the ground.”I was a little bit confused where the ball had gone.But I saw Jones pick it up and I lost control of my senses for a few seconds.It is a great moment to take a test wicket.When you have waited for 19 years to play it is even better.- Nampa-ReutersThe pair shared in an unbroken stand of 156 for the second wicket after fast bowler Mohammad Sami removed left-handed opener Andrew Strauss for nine, leg before wicket in the morning session.Pakistan, who had resumed on their overnight score of 244 for six, lost their last four wickets for just 30 runs in 11.2 overs with Andrew Flintoff taking four for 68 and Steve Harmison three for 37.Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was dismissed by Flintoff for 53, his 40th half-century in his 103rd test.After England reached lunch on 72 for one, left-hander Trescothick and right-hander Bell maintained a good scoring rate against a flagging Pakistan attack on a good batting pitch.Trescothick was in good touch, greeting fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar with successive fours in his second spell before driving leg spinner Danish Kaneria over mid-off for a flat six to reach his 50 in 93 balls.By tea, he had struck 12 fours and a six in 145 balls.Bell, batting more sedately, hit four fours in 138 balls after securing his fifth test fifty.Kaneria, regarded as the home team’s potential trump card, bowled 12 overs without success, conceding 45 runs.However, he came close to removing Trescothick leg before wicket when the Englishman played and missed at a turning delivery on 47.* Meanwhile, England off-spinner Shaun Udal, playing his first test at the age of 36, described his wicket on day one of the first test against Pakistan on Saturday as “very special.”Udal said that although England’s bowlers had fought back to reduce Pakistan to 244 for six, he was not going to get carried away with one good day after returning to the England team 10 years after he last played a one-day international.Udal played the last of his 10 one-day internationals against the West Indies in 1995.He took his first test wicket when Pakistan opener Salman Butt slashed at a wide ball and it flew to Marcus Trescothick at slip only to pop out of his hands.Keeper Geraint Jones dived to catch the ball inches off the ground.”I was a little bit confused where the ball had gone.But I saw Jones pick it up and I lost control of my senses for a few seconds.It is a great moment to take a test wicket.When you have waited for 19 years to play it is even better.- Nampa-Reuters