England fought back extremely well on day four of the third test against Pakistan at Edgbaston, finishing on 414-5 in their second innings. 

The hosts take a lead of 311 into the final day thanks in the main to a brilliant unbeaten 132 partnership between Johnny Bairstow, who is 82 not out, and Moen Ali, who is 60 not out.

Pakistan would have thought after getting two early wickets in the day they could get themselves right into the game but the host's fight back has really put the cat amongst the pigeons now with a brilliant final day in prospect tomorrow.

Pakistan start well by removing Hales and Cook early

The hosts began the day on 120-0 in their second innings with Alistair Cook 64 not out and Alex Hales 50 not out looking to build on an impressive start on a beautiful sunny day.

Sohail Khan celebrates the wicket of Cook | Photo: Getty
Sohail Khan celebrates the wicket of Cook | Photo: Getty

The impressive start though was brought to an end quite quickly when Sohail Khan got the big wicket of Cook for 66 and then Mohammed Amir removed Hales for 54 to give the tourists a great start to the day.

Root and Vince put on 95 to keep the hosts in control

The two quick wickets brought Joe Root and James Vince together to the middle looking to try and build another partnership.

The pair even though they weren't going at a blistering pace took their partnership past fifty to get the home side to lunch on 183 for two. 

Root was 34 not out at lunch while Vince was 20 not out as the hosts stretched their lead to 80.

After lunch, Root and Vince continued on their impressive partnership as the visitors strived to get a wicket.

Root once again made his way past fifty and looked like he was going to go on to make a huge score until he made a mistake when on 62 to give Yasir Shah a wicket. The third wicket partnership was broken on 95.

Root celebrates getting to his half century | Photo: Getty
Root celebrates getting to his half century | Photo: Getty

Vince though now joined at the crease with Gary Ballance was looking good until he was out for 42 of the bowling of Amir to once again fail to make a half century.

The wicket of Vince brought Bairstow to crease to see England to tea and he did that alongside Ballance as the hosts reached 262 for four at the end of the afternoon's play.

Ballance was 21 not out at tea while Bairstow was two not out as the hosts stretched their lead to 159.

After tea, Ballance and Bairstow continued on until Yasir produced a great delivery to get the wicket of Ballance for 28 to open the game up a bit. 

Bairstow and Ali put on unbeaten century partnership to put hosts in control ahead of the final day

Ali joined Bairstow at the crease as the pair looked to get the lead past 200 which they did as the partnership was starting to flourish in the sunshine.

Bairstow went up through the gears in the final session and passed his fifty as Pakistan were made to work hard.

Ali and Bairstow really made the visitors pay in the final session as they took their partnership beyond 100 as Ali also notched up his second half-century of the match.

The pair successfully saw the hosts to the end of play without losing any more wickets. The score at the end of the day was 414 for five with Bairstow 82 not out and Ali 60 not out as England have a lead 311 going into the final day.

VAVEL Logo
About the author