Shouting from the Hop

It is two months since England regained the Ashes after drawing the final test match against Australia, and now it's time to start playing again. The team is on tour to Pakistan before Xmas, playing three test matches, and then five ODI's. The first test starts tomorrow morning in Multan.

Both of the warm-up games have seen swinging pitches, resulting in low scoring matches; England winning the first against a President's XI, before losing against Pakistan A. The test match pitch in Multan is thought to be more likely to spin than swing though.

England's preparations have been hurt by the news that Captain Michael Vaughan has twisted his knee, and he will miss this test at least. Marcus Trescothick will captain the team in Vaughan's absence and Ian Bell will retain his place having thought to be out of the team. Kevin Pieterson and Paul Collingwood will make up the rest of the rather fragile looking batting line up, with all-rounder Andrew Flitoff at six and keeper Geraint Jones at seven. England will probably play two spinners, and that means a test debut for Shuan Udal at the age of 37 alongside Ashley Giles. I toured Australia with Udal in 1994/5, and he hardly got an up-coutry game let alone a test match, so it's good to see him capped finally. Opening bowlers Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison make up the eleven, and both will have crucial jobs to do.

I think this will be a very tough match for England; the two poor warm-up matches have not endeared any confidence (though Pieterson is never without it!) and I think this is a game that could easily be lost if players do not perform. Do not be surprised to see pitches that give the (probably spin) bowlers a chance, as three draws will not help cricket in this part of the world.

My hope is that Banger wins the toss and bats, then they openers survive the new ball, and can set about laying a good foundation for the rest of the match. If Pakistan are allowed early wickets or too many easy runs early on, then this game will slip away very quickly and the series will be very difficult to retrieve.