England vs Pakistan: Hales must improve against spin, Woakes' place in doubt and more

Test career over? Nick Compton departs after another cheap dismissal
Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Tom Collomosse13 June 2016

England were today trying to wrap up a series whitewash over Sri Lanka — but the real challenges this summer are still ahead.

The home team have generally been dominant against a touring side unfamiliar with English conditions. While they will have similar advantages against Pakistan, they are likely to face a far more dangerous bowling attack.

Pakistan’s batting, like Sri Lanka’s, is fragile. Yet unlike the inexperienced Sri Lankan line-up, they have an experienced middle order in Azhar Ali, Younis Khan and captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

England are favourites for the series but questions still remain.

Here, Standard Sport attempts to find some answers.

Openers

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Alex Hales has failed to reach his first Test century in this series but has secured his spot for the rest of the summer and beyond. Hales has played three patient innings this series, two of which — at Headingley and Durham — helped his team to victory. He can still look unconvincing against spin but perhaps England have finally found a suitable partner for Alastair Cook.

No3

Nick Compton’s Test career is surely over. His average in this series is 13 and he has not looked comfortable. But who replaces him? Scott Borthwick, the Durham batsman, is the favourite, yet he has played only one Test and that was as a leg-spinning all-rounder. Joe Root is happy at No4; James Vince has done little to justify moving up from No5. England’s top order has been fragile and while Borthwick is likely to get the nod, it will be a serious challenge against Pakistan’s pacemen.

James Vince

(Getty)

Vince has had only three Tests and England’s way is to give a new batsman the entire summer to make his case. So Vince will almost certainly be granted the series against Pakistan but the early signs are worrying. The Hampshire player has looked skittish at the crease and was bowled twice here misjudging straight deliveries. He needs to show a tighter game against Pakistan to convince that he can prosper at Test level.

Wicketkeeper

Want to make Jonny Bairstow cross? From his performance in press conferences, it seems there are numerous ways but here is a banker: ask him about his wicketkeeping. Bairstow appears to believe it unfair that his glovework should be doubted. The simple truth is that the question becomes more relevant with every mistake that he makes. Here is the conundrum for England: Bairstow is in the form of his life with the bat, hitting two hundreds in this series. Is it more important to have a reliable wicketkeeper? Or maintain Bairstow’s self-belief, knowing that taking the gloves away could damage it severely? In the meantime, Jos Buttler and Ben Foakes, the Surrey wicketkeeper, wait in the wings.

Spin

Stu Forster/Getty Images

Moeen Ali will keep the job for the summer and showed against India two years ago that he can take wickets in England against expert players of slow bowling. If Borthwick takes the No3 spot, his leg-spin gives England another dimension but is unlikely to be a serious factor in the series. For the winter, though, England look light. With Moeen as their frontline slow bowler, it will be very difficult to repeat their 2012 Test series victory in India.

Seam bowling

What happens when Ben Stokes is fit again? The all-rounder’s qualities are unique within English cricket and he has an automatic spot in the Test team. Who will complete the seam attack when he returns? Based on form alone, it must be Chris Woakes. With Stokes injured, Woakes has impressed at Durham and Lord’s, showing consistent pace and challenging the Sri Lankan batsmen. Steve Finn has been more erratic yet when on song, he is probably the most menacing English fast bowler there is. It is harsh on Woakes but you sense that — barring something extraordinary in Sri Lanka’s second innings — Finn’s wickets here probably have swung the decision in his favour.

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