Chris Woakes was the star of the show… PLAYER RATINGS from England’s first Test win over Pakistan

Chris Woakes was the star of the show while it couldn’t have gone much worse for Rory Burns… PLAYER RATINGS from England’s first Test victory against Pakistan

  • England chased down a target of 277 to win the first Test against Pakistan  
  • They were 117 for five when Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler came together 
  • Pair each hit a half-century before Woakes and Stuart Broad saw them home

England’s Test series against Pakistan got under way this week with the hosts securing a dramatic fourth-day victory after a balanced game.

Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler shared an important sixth-wicket partnership that set up a remarkable three-wicket success at Old Trafford. 

Sportsmail’s Lawrence Booth gives his player ratings from a stunning game.

England captain Joe Root (centre) celebrates with his team following their first Test victory

ENGLAND 

Chris Woakes 9 

19 and 84*; 2-43 and 2-11

One of his best all-round Tests. Continues to thrive with the ball in home games, and will struggle to play a better innings than his unbeaten 84.

Chris Woakes makes his way of the pitch after inspiring England's comeback against Pakistan

Chris Woakes makes his way of the pitch after inspiring England’s comeback against Pakistan

Stuart Broad 8.5 

3-54 and 3-37; 29 and 7

His summer is one long riposte to his axing against West Indies. Six more wickets brought Broad’s (below) haul in three games to 22 at an average of 12.

Jos Buttler 8 

38 and 75; 4 catches

Butter-fingered wicketkeeping, but his second-innings 75 helped rescue an apparently lost cause, and he was honest after the game when he spoke of his struggles.

Jofra Archer 7 

3-59 and 1-27; 16 runs

Strangely ignored by Root at times, he still collected four wickets in the match at 21 apiece. Curious to hear Archer say the pitch did not encourage him to ‘bend his back’.

Paceman Jofra Archer took four wickets over the course of two innings at Old Trafford

Paceman Jofra Archer took four wickets over the course of two innings at Old Trafford 

Ollie Pope 7 

62 and 7

Received two of the best balls in the match, but still made a lovely 62 in the first innings from the wreckage of 12 for three.

Dom Bess 6

1-74 and 1-40; 1 and 0*

Match figures of two for 114 would have been at least twice as good if Buttler had backed him up behind the stumps. Still lacks the control of the best Test off-spinners. 

Joe Root 6 

14 and 42; 0-25

Mixed game as captain. Bowled himself at the wrong time, and couldn’t rouse his attack on the first two days. His second-innings 42 was handy.

Dom Sibley 6 

8 and 36

Looked like an lbw waiting to happen in the first innings, but put on a crucial 64 in the second with his captain to get England’s run chase going. Pulled off an alert direct hit to run out Asad Shafiq.

Ben Stokes 6 

0 and 9; 2-11 in second innings

Bowled by a beauty from Mohammad Abbas in the first innings, and got a snorter from Yasir Shah in the second. Two wickets on the third evening led to Pakistan’s collapse.

James Anderson 5.5

1-63 and 0-34; 7

Not at his most incisive, but did remove Babar Azam in the first over of the second morning, which briefly deflated Pakistan.

Rory Burns 3 

4 and 10

Never got going as Pakistan’s new-ball attack targeted his front pad, falling lbw twice.

Rory Burns of England walks off after being dismissed during Day Four of the first Test

Rory Burns of England walks off after being dismissed during Day Four of the first Test

PAKISTAN 

Shan Masood 8.5 

156 and 0

Scored almost half Pakistan’s first-innings runs during an epic display. Then down to earth: strangled legside for a duck.

Yasir Shah 8 

4-66 and 4-99; 5 and 33

Eight wickets in the match and hit an important 33 on the fourth morning, but conceded 165 runs.

Babar Azam 7 

69 and 5

Classy on the first evening, before falling to Anderson next morning. Dismissed by another slip catch in the second innings.

Mohammad Abbas 7 

2-33 and 1-36; 0 and 3

Produced the delivery of the game to bowl Stokes and was metronomic. Lost potency as the ball went soft.

Mohammad Abbas of Pakistan celebrates the wicket of Ben Stokes in England's first innings

Mohammad Abbas of Pakistan celebrates the wicket of Ben Stokes in England’s first innings

Shadab Khan 7 

45 and 15; 2-13 and 0-34

Shared 105 in the first innings with Masood, and quick singles ran England ragged. Took cheap wickets with his spin.

Mohammad Rizwan 6

9 and 27; 3 catches

Gains a mark for his electric glovework, especially off the spinners, but never suggested permanence while batting.

Naseem Shah 6.5 

1-44 and 1-45; 0 and 4

Heck of a fast-bowling prospect at the age of 17, and took two big wickets — Pope in the first innings, Root in the second.

Shaheen Shah Afridi 6 

1-51 and 1-61; 9 and 2

Better than his figures of two for 112 suggest. Removed Burns with his fourth ball, and undid Pope with a brute on the last day.

Shaheen Shah Afridi bowls during day two of the Test match at Old Trafford in Manchester

Shaheen Shah Afridi bowls during day two of the Test match at Old Trafford in Manchester 

Abid Ali 5 

16 and 20

Out-thought twice. Archer pushed him back, then pitched it up. Then Bess tempted him by tossing one up.

Asad Shafiq 5 

7 and 29

Pakistan needed more than seven and 29 from one of their most experienced players.

Azhar Ali 2 

0 and 18

Azhar still plays round his front pad in England after all these years. Should have told his fast bowlers to bounce Woakes.



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