England vs Pakistan live score 2nd Test Day 3: Wet weather has delayed the start of Day 3 of the second Test between England and Pakistan. Darkness has presided over the stadium and it’s worse than yesterday. England will aim to wrap up Pakistan early and then aim to bat well take the first innings lead on Day 3 of the second Test at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. Pakistan wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan scored a valuable half-century on Day 2 too take Pakistan over 200. He was unbeaten on 60 along with No.11 Naseem Shah as Pakistan reached 223 for 9 when bad light forced an early stumps on Day 2.
Follow England vs Pakistan 2nd Test Day 2 live updates:
Not much has changed
Well, the only positive news to share is that the Pakistan players underwent some fielding under the gloomy skies of Southampton. That however, does not mean that the weather conditions have improved. In fact, it’s pretty much the way it was an hour ago. And not much promises to change either.
Where does a draw leave these two teams?
It’s Day 3 and it’s still the first innings of a Test match. Quite possibly, Pakistan’s innings could last even during the start of Day 4, which leaves us with only one possible outcome from this Test match, a draw. Both teams are likely to take 13 points from this match, which will ensure that Pakistan cannot win the series. All that will be decided by the end of next week.
And it’s only gotten worse since
Not the start to the day we wanted in Southampton, it’s drizzling and the covers are on… ?
In better news, we’ve got our coaching clinic & @MAWood33 will be offering his advice too! ?#ENGvPAK ?????????
? Watch live ? https://t.co/3V5xD5O02D
? Blog ? https://t.co/Ohqb5x5fuT
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 15, 2020
More unencouraging signs
Well, word coming from the Ageas Bowl is that the light is worse than what it was yesterday. And here’s the deal-breaker: It’s being reported that Stuart Broad and James Anderson have returned to their hotel rooms, which in a nutshell, gives us an idea of what lies ahead.
Drizzling at the Ageas Bowl, start delayed
Well, it’s drizzling and we’ll have a delayed start. The covers are still on and coupled with the darkness that has presided over, it promises to be another frustrating day of delayed starts and stop and start plays.
Expect a delayed start
We’re unlikely to have a scheduled start to Day 3. It’s highly gloomy at the Ageas Bowl and the covers are on. On top of that, the floodlights have taken full effect. It’s quite a shame because plenty of effort has been together to get this series going amid whatever’s happening in the world. To let rain and bad light hamper is quite unfair. Rain looks set to come down hard in Southampton.
Weather update
Well, prior apologies for saying this but it doesn’t look we will get a full day’s play today. In fact, we will be lucky if we can get over 50 overs, which we still haven’t been able to do in this Test match. The forecast for Day 3 is pretty gloomy. There are more than 50% chances of rain according the accuweather throughout Saturday.
‘Was ready to play’
“I was ready to play but the decision rests with the umpires and they have the responsibility to ensure no one gets injured. They have to go by the light meter. It’s the same for both teams,” said Mohammad Rizwan.
Vaughan suggests pink ball
“It’s a terrible look for the game. The more I watch this, particularly in England, the pink ball could be the solution – just play with it all the time,” said Vaughan, who has featured in 82 Tests and 86 ODIs for England.
Anderson wants some leeway
Only 40.2 overs were possible on the second day which was called off at 6:27pm due to bad light, leaving the pace duo of Anderson and Stuart Broad frustrated as Pakistan reached 223 for 9 at stumps on Friday.
“It was gloomy but it’s one of those when it didn’t seem like the batmen were struggling too much. I don’t know what the reading was (at tea). Maybe there could be a bit more leeway there,” Anderson was quoted as saying by ‘The Guardian’.
Day 2 recap
Pakistan middle-order batsman Mohammad Rizwan hit a defiant half century on a difficult batting pitch to guide his side past the 200-mark in their first innings and frustrate England in the second test on Friday.
Having resumed on 126-5 overnight, Pakistan, batting first, reached 223-9 when bad light forced the second day’s play to finish early with Rizwan, who was dropped by Jos Buttler on 14, on 60 and Naseem Shah on one.
Day 3 first session
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the third day’s play of the second Test match between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.