It’s all too nice, we need to see a bit of sledging

TWO Tests between England and Pakistan have produced some of the most thrilling action cricket has to offer.

We have seen an outstanding innings from Joe Root, brilliant spin bowling from Yasir Shah and breathtaking all-round skills from Chris Woakes. Even the dropped catches have enriched the spectacle.

Mohammad Amir has provided a tale of redemption. There has been humour, too — who could fail to enjoy Pakistan’s celebrations at Lord’s, where the team performed press-ups in front of the pavilion to pay tribute to the men who ran their pre-series army fitness camp?

There is just one thing, missing though — a bit of needle. A dose of antagonism between competing teams attracts interest and breeds individual duels.

While it was uplifting to see Pakistan players shake Joe Root’s hand after his 254 at Old Trafford last week, we also like to see bowlers staring down a batsman and — yes — even the odd sledge.

Brad Haddin, the former Australia wicketkeeper, drew controversy during the World Cup when he criticised New Zealand’s Corinthian approach to the game.

“They were so nice to us when they beat us in the group match in New Zealand, and we were so uncomfortable,” said Haddin, after he had berated the Kiwis during Australia’s World Cup Final win. “I said in the team meeting: ‘I can’t stand for this anymore. We’re going at them as hard as we can can’.”.

Haddin took it to unnecessary extremes in that match but there is nothing wrong with spikiness. Indeed, it has characterised matches between England and Pakistan for many years. Why, then is there so much sweetness and light?

The captains, Alastair Cook and Misbah-ul-Haq, are steady characters.

When batting, they are far more likely to ignore opponents’ taunts than they are to join the battle. They are more interested in staying in their bubble, rather than trying to burst somebody else’s.

There is also a feeling that, after the 2010 spot-fixing scandal, England and Pakistan cannot afford another bad-tempered series.

That is why, when asked about Amir’s return and what happened six years ago, Cook has stuck to the script. He wants the series to be memorable for cricket and cricket alone. Given his team’s recent history on tours of England, Misbah has a similar view.

That is fine but international cricket is also about sharp words and long stares. It is about trying to unnerve your opponent to induce a mistake. It is about tussles between top sportsmen who might not like each other very much.

It was refreshing, therefore, to see Jimmy Anderson (surely not?) and Wahab Riaz have a crack at each other on the final day at Old Trafford.

With the game long since lost, Wahab tried to mow Anderson to deep midwicket and ended up with a top-eedged four to third-man. Jimmy didn’tdidn like it very much and the pair exchangedexch words. Rod Tucker, the umpire,ump told Wahab to calm down.

ThatTha was more like it. With the seriesserie standing at 1-1 with two to play, we sshould expect more of the same at EdEdgbaston next week.

TheTh contest will be all the more engrossingengr for it.