GALLERY: England vs Pakistan First Test - Misbah-ul-Haq hits century, Woakes' four-wicket haul

Sport360 staff 22:13 14/07/2016
Misbah ul-Haq hit a century on Day One

Chris Woakes kick-started England’s first Test assault against Pakistan as Mohammad Amir returned to Lord’s for the first time since the 2010 spot-fixing conspiracy.

The Warwickshire seamer claimed two early wickets across several accurate spells boasting impressive variety, while debutant Jake Ball claimed his maiden Test match victim.

Stuart Broad bagged a wicket too, to leave Pakistan 158 for four at tea, having won the toss and elected to bat.

Woakes removed Shan Masood to end a fruitless opening hour of toil for England’s bowlers, then lulled Mohammad Hafeez into a skied top edge that Jonny Bairstow scampered well to hold.

First-change bowler Woakes stepped up well in the injury-enforced absence of record wicket-taker Jimmy Anderson, still recovering from a stress fracture of the shoulder.

Anderson should return for next week’s second Test at Old Trafford, and Woakes’ strong start could trouble England’s selectors, with the places of Lord’s debutant Ball and Steve Finn perhaps under scrutiny.

Amir’s return to the home of cricket for his first Test since he was embroiled in the 2010 spot-fixing conspiracy at the same ground inevitably overshadowed the start of this four-match series.

Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and opted to bat on a sunny morning, delaying the moment when the brilliant left-armer enters the equation, and instead it was a question of how England might fare in Anderson’s absence.

Thanks to Woakes the hosts were in the game with the wicket of Masood, who edged a little extra bounce behind, in a drinks total of 42 for one.

Debutant Ball had given the left-handed Masood a thorough examination in his opening spell from the pavilion end, but the nearest he came to any success was when England went early to DRS for lbw with just the new boy’s second delivery.

Scoreless Masood was hit in front deep in the crease on the back foot, but it was no surprise when simulation demonstrated the ball had pitched outside leg stump.

At the other end, Broad brought the edge from Hafeez on 11, driving at a touch of movement down the slope, but James Vince could not hold onto a tough chance one-handed low to his left at third slip.

After lunch Nottinghamshire paceman Ball snared Azhar Ali leg before for just seven runs. Finn was unfortunate not to remove Misbah, with Joe Root just unable to hold a tough catch at slip, from a wickedly swinging delivery.

Misbah shrugged off that escape to reach 48 not out at tea, England doubtless ruing that missed opportunity.

Broad sent Younis Khan packing by forcing the 38-year-old to hole out to Moeen Ali at mid-wicket for 33.

After that Pakistan drifted to tea largely untroubled despite further tight bowling from Broad and Woakes.

Asad Shafiq supported his skipper admirably but was dismissed by Woakes for 73 off 130 balls. The Englishman then bowled out Rahat Ali for a duck.

Misbah however put in a stellar display, scoring a century as he ended the day 110 not out from 179 balls, leading Pakistan to a score of 282/6 at stumps.

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