TOP SPIN AT THE TEST

CURRAN’S BIRTHDAY FEAT

When Sam Curran (right), who turned 20 yesterday, was dismissed for 20 early on the third day, he is believed to have become only the second player in Test history to be out for his age on his birthday. The other was england’s Geoff Pullar, who was out for 26 on his 26th birthday against Australia at Old Trafford in 1961.

ENGLAND’S win here means Pakistan still haven’t won a series in this country since 1996. But this was their third draw out of five in that time, including a thrilling 2-2 in 2016.

ENGLAND came close to breaking one of Test cricket’s more bizarre records: the highest total before anyone has reached 50. That remains new Zealand’s 335 for six against england at edgbaston in 1965. Yesterday, england reached 332 for eight before Buttler got to 50.

HAD Jimmy Anderson hung on a fraction longer, Jos Buttler would have had the chance to compile his highest Test score, which remains the 85 he made in his first innings, against India at Southampton’s Rose Bowl in 2014. Instead, Buttler had to settle for an unbeaten 80, which left him with a healthier-looking Test average of 35.

DAWID MALAN has been granted his wish of breaking into England’s 50-over side, after the ECB confirmed that Ben Stokes would miss Sunday’s one-day game in Scotland and the early part of the five-match series against Australia because of his torn hamstring.