Bairstow, Moeen lead England fightback
THE OVAL – Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali made battling fifties to lift England to 200 for five at tea on the first day of the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval on Thursday.
The pair came together with the hosts in deep trouble at 110 for five after winning the toss, Bairstow moving on to 55 not out at the interval with Moeen unbeaten on 52.
Pakistan claimed four wickets in the morning session, removing Alex Hales, Alastair Cook, Joe Root and James Vince in quick succession before England limped to 92 for four at lunch.
Gary Ballance became Wahab Riaz's third victim shortly after the interval when he was caught by Azhar Ali for eight and Bairstow, on 13, was caught off a no ball.
Pakistan also spilled Moeen twice and the pair grew in confidence, Bairstow hitting seven fours and Moeen a six and seven fours to drag their side back into the match as they bid to clinch the series they lead 2-1.
The touring side took advantage of overcast conditions in the morning, inspired by a fired-up Wahab.
Hales, on six, was caught by Yasir Shah at mid-wicket off Mohammad Amir and Cook, on 35, dragged a short ball from Sohail Khan on to his stumps.
Root moved fluently on to 26 before he nicked Wahab to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed and the left-armer produced a venomous delivery to account for Vince (one) in similar fashion.
SCOREBOARD
England 1st innings A. Cook b So. Khan 35 A. Hales c Shah b Amir 6 J. Root c S. Ahmed b Riaz 26 J. Vince c S. Ahmed b Riaz 1 G. Ballance c Az. Ali b Riaz 8 J. Bairstow not out 55 M. Ali not out 52 Extras (b-8 lb-2 nb-7) 17 Total (for 5 wickets, 50 overs) 200 Fall of wickets: 1-23 A. Hales,2-69 A. Cook,3-73 J. Root,4-74 J. Vince,5-110 G. Ballance To bat: C. Woakes, S. Broad, S. Finn, J. Anderson Bowling M. Amir 12 - 0 - 52 - 1(nb-1) So. Khan 14 - 1 - 41 - 1 W. Riaz 15 - 0 - 59 - 3(nb-6) Y. Shah 7 - 0 - 26 - 0 I. Ahmed 2 - 0 - 12 - 0 Referees Umpire: Marais Erasmus Umpire: Bruce Oxenford TV umpire: Joel Wilson Match referee: Richie Richardson. –Reuters
