England's Crawley hits double century before Anderson rocks Pakistan
England's Crawley hits double century before Anderson rocks Pakistan
SOUTHAMPTON (AFP) - Zak Crawley converted his maiden Test hundred into a superb innings of 267 on Saturday as England piled on the runs against Pakistan in their series finale at Southampton before James Anderson rocked the tourists with a late treble strike.
Crawley and Jos Buttler, who made 152, shared a stand of 359 that powered England to 583-8 declared on the second day of the third Test.
England, 1-0 up in a three-match contest and looking for a first series win over Pakistan in a decade, then saw Anderson reduce the tourists to 24-3 at the close -- a deficit of 559 runs -- as he moved to within four of becoming the first paceman to take 600 wickets in Tests.
Shan Masood was plumb lbw for four before fellow opener Abid Ali (one) edged Anderson low to Dom Sibley at third slip.
And with what became the last ball of the day, Anderson had star batsman Babar Azam lbw for 11 with one that cut back.
Anderson had stumps figures of 3-13 in 5.5 overs.
England’s total was their highest in Tests since they made 589-8 declared against Pakistan at Old Trafford four years ago.
Three of Pakistan’s frontline bowlers conceded over 100 runs each, with leg-spinner Yasir Shah (2-173 from 39 overs) and teenage paceman Naseem Shah (1-109 in 27) both going for more than four an over.
