England vs Pakistan: Alastair Cook keeps cards close to his chest as injured players return

James Anderson and Ben Stokes set to return for second Test as England bid to level the series against Pakistan

Alastair Cook was unable to prevent his side starting the series with defeat against Pakistan last weekend (Getty)

Amid all the talk of selection this week, it is significant ahead of this second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford that Alastair Cook did not name his team.

England’s captain had done so on the eve of all four previous Tests this summer, safe in the knowledge that his players were on the front foot, firstly against Sri Lanka in a series they cruised to win 2-0, and heading into last week’s match against Pakistan at Lord’s.

Now, though, following the 75-run defeat in that series opener, Cook left the exact composition of his team for the second Test unclear.

What we do know, after Jake Ball and Steven Finn were jettisoned from the inflated 14-man squad for this match, is that both James Anderson and Ben Stokes return to the XI following respective shoulder and knee injuries.

Anderson had insisted he was fit for Lord’s and coach Trevor Bayliss, as well as Cook, had wanted to pick Anderson but were overruled by the other three selectors.

Cook described that situation as “messy” on Thursday.

But the real issue now is whether England will play both Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid on the most spin-friendly surface in the country.

The feeling is England will ultimately play just one slow bowler – namely because picking two would necessitate the dropping of a batsman, almost certainly James Vince.

If that is the case, it will be Moeen’s off-spin rather than the more attacking option of leg-spinner Rashid that will be preferred.

“Moeen is our first choice spinner for this game, yes,” confirmed Cook. “If we go with the four seamers and one spinner Moeen will be that spinner.

“Adil is really coming along. He really impressed in that one-day series [against Sri Lanka]. He is improving all the time and he bowled really nicely in the nets today.”

Cook’s stress on the words “for this game” in relation to Moeen’s status were instructive, indicating his place cannot be guaranteed beyond this second Test.

This really does seem like the last chance for Moeen to establish himself as his team’s first-choice spinner, especially with a record this year that has seen him take just seven Test wickets at an eye-watering average of 92. Speaking in the immediate aftermath of defeat at Lord’s, Bayliss extolled the virtues of Rashid being able to turn the ball away from the five right-handers in Pakistan’s top six.


 James Anderson's return will bolster England's chances at Old Trafford after the bowler sat out the first Test (Getty)

He is clearly being lined up as a potential Test-match regular, his three matches so far coming against Pakistan in the UAE last winter.

With England facing seven Tests in Bangladesh and India this winter, the Yorkshireman’s time will surely come soon - even if Moeen keeps his place this summer.

What showed Moeen’s limitations up so starkly at Lord’s was the performance of Pakistan’s Yasir Shah, the leg-spinner taking 10 wickets in his first Test outside of Asia.

England’s players have been working intensively on countering Yasir this week, with former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq being drafted in to work with the squad and spin machine Merlin being cranked up to produce ripping leg-spinners.

No bowler in history has taken more than Yasir’s 86 wickets after 13 Tests.

Cook already believes he is one of the game’s greats. “He doesn’t bowl many bad balls,” he said. “That is the skill of a great spinner. How many wickets he has taken in his first 13 matches is up there with the greats.

“When he bowls bad balls you have to cash in and he is obviously the linchpin of their bowling attack. If we can play him better it will put pressure on their other bowlers.

“The more you are in against him the easier it gets. I remember facing [Muttiah] Muralitharan for the first time and the first 30 to 40 balls you are thinking you are never going to score a run. I remember thinking I can’t pick him but the more time you get against him you get more in. It is about getting through that first 30 balls.”


 Pakistan players celebrate their first Test victory at Lord's (Getty)

Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s captain, says Yasir is fit following an injury scare in the nets on Wednesday, when the 30-year-old was sent to hospital for a precautionary scan after being hit on the left shoulder.

“It was a bit of a concern but after the scan there are no worries,” said Misbah.

However, asked if England’s batsmen can work out a gameplan against Yasir in such a short space of time, Misbah said: “That can happen. It’s all about how you apply yourself to overcome mistakes of the previous Test.

“Every game is new, every wicket different. You have to adjust and that could sometimes be a challenge when you’re short on confidence.”

Stokes has insisted he will counter Yasir with aggression on his return to England’s team.

Misbah seemed delighted at the prospect of England attempting to hit his leg-spinner out of the attack.

“They can try to attack Yasir, it’s up to them what they want to do,” he said. “We have to be ready for that challenge and Yasir knows that.”

Both teams will have to deal with a patchy outfield at Old Trafford, the result of the ground hosting a Beyonce concert just 15 days before the start of this match.

Lancashire have brought in hydroponic lamps to aid the regrowth of the grass.

England will hope their frailties against Yasir aren’t under the spotlight once again after this match.