Well how that Test turned around in a very short space of time. I was happy with the way England played for virtually the entire Test, then we attempted to chase down a very modest total and came seriously unstuck.
There will be the inevitable over-reaction in the English press, and to be honest I'd have been with them had I posted immediately after the game, but I have calmed myself down and am now trying to unravel what took place with a calmer mind.
We bowled very well as a unit throughout this entire Test, while Anderson and Broad got a hint of assistance at times and looked threatening, they were generally probing and waiting for a Pakistani error (especially in the second innings), they were consistent and accurate and Strauss and Flower could not have asked for much more, especially Broad. The spinners were equally impressive, a fantastic return from Panesar who was a constant menace to Pakistan, while Swann was not as effective and is not in top form but formed a decent partnerswhip when bowling in tandem with Monty.
The ground fielding was excellent too, Morgan at backward point, Broad, Cook, Anderson, all throwing themselves around, KP also tidy but for his missed run out opportunity. Strauss doesn't drop many, but did in the first innings, but overall we looked sharp.
Which brings us to the batting, that I'm going to think further about, and of course while looking at England's weaknesses with the bat we fail to give enough credit to Ajmal and Rehman who were absolutely stunning. Credit to Pakistan, they may play a very different brand of cricket to what we've seen in years gone by, but it's currently working a treat in these conditions.