Every stay at the crease is becoming like April 1st and a bad dream all rolled into one for Nasser Hussain [below]. Bad luck, a few unplayable deliveries, poor shot selection and during this Test a couple of shocking Umpiring decisions, have seen his form and confidence wane. The only way is up, especially given the team's increasingly resilient form, which is in no small part due to Hussain's leadership, and partnership with coach Duncan Fletcher.

The fading light brought England lapses in form that cost them any chance of victory. The teams seem fairly evenly matched, with Saqlain not performing at his best, and his two less experienced spin partners could not finish England off. Young Danish Kaneria and the useful Arshad Khan did prove worthy of their place, and it will be a difficult task for England to force a significant lead, without their bowlers making serious inroads early on.

Again it was Atherton and Thorpe [<<left] who played the most convincing and controlled innings. Trescothick and White have played important knocks, but as for the rest, well it does not look to rosy. Stewart has hung around but never looked at ease, but even his record looks half decent when compared with that enigma man, Graeme Hick.

All credit to Ian Salisbury, who may hold his place as a batsman who bowls a bit of spin. If fitness allows, Vaughan may well replace Hick and play the same role. England were a little over-positive assuming that both their front line spinners would perform, Hick, Vaughan and Trescothick between them are a decent support spinner, but England have little to fall back on in comparison to Pakistan's army of spinners in Lahore. You think they would have a good idea what the pitches would do!

Pakistan have done just enough to win on points so far, but their attack has lacked depth, with Waqar not used and Mushtaq off form. The new spinners have performed admirably, but no where near the threat of Saqlain on a good day. Luckily for England he had an ordinary match in Lahore, and England matched the home sides first innings score thus condemning the Test to a draw.
Richard Kendall