England need wins, says assistant coach Farbrace

ABU DHABI, Nov 12, (AFP): England’s assistant coach Paul Farbrace insisted on Thursday that his new-look one-day side needs to win games rather than talk about developing and learning.

His comments came a day after Pakistan thrashed England by six wickets in the first of four one-day matches in Abu Dhabi.

Farbrace thinks England can still win the series, with the second match, also in Abu Dhabi, on Friday.

“We think we have the ability and the players in our team to win this series,” said Farbrace. “We’re not here to develop and learn and go away and say ‘well, we didn’t win the series, but we’re learning’.

“That’s not what we want. We want to win, and it’s really important we do. It is all channelled towards winning the next game.” Pakistan dismissed England for a below-par total of 216 courtesy of 3-35 by lanky paceman Mohammad Irfan while seamer Anwar Ali and spinner Shoaib Malik took two wickets apiece.

Pakistan then chased down the target in 43.4 overs on the back of an unbeaten 102 by opener Mohammad Hafeez and a run-a-ball 62 not out by Babar Azam.

Farbrace praised left-arm paceman Reece Topley, who captured three wickets to push Pakistan hard at the start of their chase.

“Nobody moves forward at the same pace, but Topley is one who is learning very quickly, and you’d like to think others can do the same.

“International cricket is about learning, very quickly. The best players that do that don’t make the same mistakes twice ... they’re the ones that generally go on and have the better careers.

“That’s what we want ... people who can learn, think for themselves, act for themselves, be responsible for their game and improve to such an extent they stay in the side and become a first pick and not just an in-and-out fringe player.”

The remaining two matches will be in Sharjah (Nov 17) and Dubai (Nov 20).