Jordan Cox will keep wicket for England in the second innings after Jamie Smith injured his left-hand finger earlier. Smith had previously taken a hit to his finger while collecting an Ollie Robinson delivery after lunch on Day one when Pakistan were batting in the first innings.
The wicketkeeper had come up to the stumps as the teams returned after lunch on Day one. The first ball back had darted towards the leg side and hit him on the finger when he attempted to collect it. With Pakistan already nearly eight down by that point, Smith stayed on behind the stumps, though with a strapped thumb which was in a splint.
England relieve Smith of wicketkeeping duties
The nature of the injury is understood not to be too serious, which is why Smith came to bat at his usual No. 7 place. The wicketkeeper-batter came as early as the first hour of the day and batted resiliently, amassing 69 off 84 balls, including a six, the first of the game, off Saim Ayub. Despite his batting brilliance, he was not on the cards to keep the wickets anyway. This is why Cox, instead of Smith, came with the gloves as Pakistan began the second innings.
Cox has only ever kept wickets in eight first-class matches, six for Kent and two for his current team, Essex. However, he has been practising with England’s assistant coach Sarah Taylor. Cox’s move to behind the wicket meant that England were a slip fielder short. Ben Duckett had to stand in Cox’s usual gully position, bringing Joe Root, who had preferred staying at mid-off to keep in contact with the bowlers ever since his second captaincy stint, into the cordon.
Pakistan’s survival chances slimmer
Just two days into the Test, the visitors find themselves in a familiar spot of bother. England were able to get a 320-run lead before dismissing two of Pakistan’s batters in the first over. At the close of play on the second day, Pakistan were trying to stabilise their innings after losing two wickets, with 52 on the board after the two batters who fell in the first over. Azan Awais and Shan Masood had built a 52-run partnership before rain forced an early stoppage.
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