Dumsha Wijesinghe JadeTimes Staff
W.G.S.D.Wijesinghe is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Sports News
Captain Ben Stokes has publicly backed England’s batting line up despite a challenging series defeat in Pakistan, where England fell for just 112 on the third day of the final Test. This collapse secured Pakistan’s nine wicket victory, resulting in a 2-1 series win for the hosts.
England, beginning the day at 24-3 and trailing by 53 runs, struggled against Pakistan's spin heavy bowling attack, losing their last seven wickets in just 17.4 overs. After a strong start on a flatter pitch in the first Test, where they declared at 823-7, England’s batters found themselves outmatched in spin friendly conditions, accumulating only 814 runs across four innings in the last two Tests.
Stokes acknowledged the challenges, saying, "The last couple of Tests have thrown some challenges at us, and it’s clear we weren’t able to stand up to them." Ollie Pope, the number three batter, faced particular scrutiny after a disappointing series in which he scored only 55 runs, averaging 11. Despite his struggles, McCullum expressed confidence in Pope’s ability to rebound, highlighting his leadership during the summer and his 150 in the final Test match as evidence of his potential.
"Stepping into the captaincy role and scoring a defining 150 showed his capability. It’s not easy to bat at number three, and I expect him to bounce back in New Zealand," McCullum said. Both McCullum and Stokes have shown consistent support for their players, including opener Zak Crawley, who has been retained despite a run of low scores.
Looking forward to the New Zealand series, England will make at least one lineup change, with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith expected to miss part or all of the series due to family commitments. Essex’s Jordan Cox may step in, potentially adding competition to the lineup.
Reflecting on his own struggles in Pakistan, Stokes, whose highest score was 37, admitted the difficulties of facing spin but emphasized the importance of experience in managing disappointment. "I’m always adapting, whether against spin or pace," he said, noting that, though the losses were hard, his experience offers resilience.
Stokes remains open to adjustments but affirmed his belief in the current lineup. "You can’t shut the door on everything. Then you’re being single minded towards what you want to do. But there’s no doubt we have the best top six batsmen in England," he stated.
