England have ‘real fighting chance’, insists Bairstow

Wicketkeeper remaining optimistic despite Pakistan’s 166-run Lord’s lead

Jonny Bairstow insists England are still in with a “real fighting chance” despite Pakistan’s 166-run lead in the first NatWest Test at Lord’s.

England’s wicketkeeper appeared to bristle at times when he was invited to account for the five catches dropped by the hosts while Pakistan were racking up 300 runs on day two to close on 350 for eight.

Most damage was already done in England’s 184 all out, after Joe Root had chosen to bat first.

But after four Pakistan batsmen then reached 50, despite three wickets each for Ben Stokes and James Anderson, England are clinging to the hope that forecast hot weather over the weekend may bake an already dry surface and leave the tourists a tough last-innings target.

England will have to bat much better at the second attempt.

Asked if he thinks they may yet turn the match around, Bairstow said: “Absolutely, we’re still definitely in it.

“In the middle two innings, if we can gain parity with their score, then we’ve got an opportunity to bowl them out for 180 when it’s potentially the worst to bat, in the last.

“There’s no reason why we can’t (do that).”

Bairstow concedes England “could have batted better” against some fine bowling in their first innings.

But he added: “You don’t want to be looking back – you want to be looking forward.

“Those last two wickets at the end (tonight) have put us in with a real fighting chance.”

Stokes was the pick of England’s bowlers, and it was he who hit top-scorer Babar Azam on the wrist with a hostile short ball - after which he retired hurt on 68.

While Bairstow had little to smile about, it said much about the state of play that a beaming Azhar Ali began his press conference by shaking the majority of reporters by the hand.

The opener is not yet taking victory here for granted, however.

“Obviously we’ve got in a good position now - but there’s a long way to go,” said Azhar.

Pakistan are hoping Babar will be able to resume his innings on the third morning, depending on the outcome of scans on his sore arm.

A rare bright spot for England as James Anderson celebrates taking the wicket of Azhar Ali.