Alastair Cook admits top order let England down against Pakistan

England have an established policy of ensuring all players selected are given time to prove themselves, but as Bayliss assessed the team’s performance after their 10-wicket defeat at The Oval on Sunday, there were hints that time may be running out in some cases.

Pakistan’s 10-wicket win over England in the fourth and final Test match at the Kennington Oval, has seen them become a contender to be ranked the number one Test team in the world, which if happens, skipper Misbah-ul-Haq says will be a sign of recognition of their success despite being unable to play any games at home.

Pacer Sohail Khan dismissed Gary Ballance as England faltered to 144 for 5, trailing Pakistan by 70 runs on the fourth day of the final Test at The Oval.

Pakistan needed only 40 runs to win after excellent hundreds by man-of-the-match Younis Khan (218) and Asad Shafiq (109) had helped them compile a commanding first-innings total of 542.

The teams will now contest five one-day internationals and one T20 match.

“It’s really tough to recover from those types of defeats [at Old Trafford and Edgbaston] but that shows the character of the team”, he said in the post-match presentation.

He had managed just 122 runs in six previous innings this series, with a best of 33 in Pakistan’s first Test win at Lord’s.

After Yasir snared three late wickets before stumps last evening, England resumed day four on 4-88, 126 runs behind Pakistan, in front of a hopeful crowd in south London.

Younus’ sixth innings of 200 or more in Test cricket was a dramatic way for him to end a run of low scores.

England, now leading the series 2-1, have a chance of reaching no. 1 in the test rankings, provided India do not win their last 2 test matches away against the West Indies. We had an opportunity to win it 3-1 coming into this game but Pakistan bounced back really well and deserved to win this game. We haven’t come through that but we haven’t lost the series. I’ve always worked hard and kept myself fit.

“We had lost five wickets when I went out to bat”.

Pakistan won the first Test at Lord’s and England was victorious in Manchester and Birmingham.

“We’ve probably got around a month before we get together and discuss the next Test series, so there will be some tough decisions to be made”, the Australian added.

Curiously, despite the overcast conditions after lunch, Cook brought on part-time spinner Root and often expensive specialist off-break bowler Moeen Ali for eight consecutive overs from the Pavilion End as James Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, waited in the outfield.

“It will get down to who is out there who can take their places – are they ready to play Test cricket, have they got what it takes?” he asked.