ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Rose Bowl, Southampton [August 21-25, 2020]. 

In the summer of 2020, the Pakistani Cricket Team toured England to play 3 Test Matches and 3 T20 Internationals. Due to the Covid pandemic, the match was played behind closed doors. The hosts won the first test at Manchester, whereas the second test match ended in a draw. As a result, it was a must-win game for the Pakistanis, whereas a draw would have ensured a series win for the English. 

In a do-or-die contest, it was the English captain who won the toss and decided to bat first. Unfortunately, the visitors struck back hard as they reduced the hosts to 127/4. One more wicket and the English could be bundled out in no time. But this is when Jos Buttler and Zak Crawly stitched a magnificent partnership of 359 runs and took England to a respectable position. Zak Crawley played his career-best knock of 267 as he made a mess of the Pakistani bowling line-up. Apart from Jos Buttler, who scored a magnificent 152, the hosts declared at a massive total of 583/8. It was indeed a historic partnership.

In response the Pakistanis were bowled out for just 273 runs in their first innings as James Anderson ran riot among the visitors. James Anderson produced a magnificent spell of 56-5 as he inched closer to the 600-wicket mark. The English enforced a follow-on; however, the match ended in a draw as the rains played a spoiler in between. However, despite the rain delay, Anderson was able to get past the 600 wickets milestone.

The English won the series 1-0 as both Crawley and Anderson etched their names in the record books. 

To watch the innings of Zak Crawley, Click Here.

To watch the 5-fer of James Anderson, Click Here.

To watch the moment when James Anderson picked up his 600th wicket, Click Here.