Reflection On Day 2 Of Pakistan A V England

Vaughn injured his knee sprinting for a quick single and is probably out of the 1st Test and possibly out of the entire Tour. All other concerns are dwarfed by this misfortune. Fletcher is correct to say that as captain, Vaughn is an all-rounder; as a skipper and as a number three batsman he will be difficult to replace.

Apart from that Mrs Lincoln, day 2 was a good day for England. Harmison took two quick wickets to restrict Pakistan A's lead to 12. Strauss and Collingwood then both made half-centuries and Jones scored 30 and Flintoff a brisk 28, allowing England to close on a competitive 256.Pakistan A were then restricted to 33-1 as they chased 245 for victory. Trescothick will have a chance to hone his captaincy skills tomorrow.

If Vaughn is ruled out of the 1st Test I would put Bell in at number 3. He has to be selected as England have no alternative batsmen to choose from. Bell has the technique and the talent, if not the form, to do well in that position. England need a steady batsman to prevent the Pakistan bowlers from using the new ball to rip into the middle order, which has occurred in three out of the four England innings so far on this tour. Ian Bell is the man for the job.