Root confident of bouncing back

ENGLAND captain Joe Root insisted his side could bounce back in the second and final test against Pakistan at Headingley next week after a humiliating loss in the series-opener at Lord’s.

Pakistan completed a nine-wicket win inside four days on Sunday as England suffered their sixth defeat in eight tests.

What made this latest reverse all the more embarrassing for England is that they are traditionally tough to beat at home in May, with many touring sides struggling to adjust when typically English conditions – overcast skies and green-tinged pitches – are at their most pronounced.

Yet it was Pakistan, fresh from a trio of county warm-up matches and a five-wicket win over test debutants Ireland in Dublin, who looked as if they were the home side.

Their seam bowlers maintained a disciplined line and length as England, suffering their latest batting collapse, slumped to a meagre 184 all out in the first innings after Root won the toss.

England’s second innings was following a similar path at 110 for six before a century stand between Jos Buttler and test debutant Dominic Bess prevented an even greater margin of defeat.

But the damage had been done and a Pakistan side long known for poor fielding outplayed England in this area too.

“We know we’re under-performing. We have been outperformed in all three departments,” Root said.

He was especially concerned by England’s batting.

Their efforts followed seven winless tests in Australia and New Zealand. – AFP