Alastair Cook recorded a half-century but he did not get much help from the rest of England’s top order on the opening day of the first NatWest Test against Pakistan.
Cook, who survived a review for lbw on umpire’s call when England were 35 for two, reached his 56th Test half-century shortly after lunch at Lord’s.
But opener Mark Stoneman, skipper Joe Root and Dawid Malan all departed for single-figure scores inside the opening 70 minutes of the morning, while Jonny Bairstow went for 27 to leave England 100 for four.
Here’s how our opener reached his half-century! ?
More clips: https://t.co/9jYAMD8xRz #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/lMz3BkIbDN
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 24, 2018
Skipper Root had won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening clash of the two-Test series.
But Stoneman was bowled by Mohammad Abbas in the fourth over, Root – having survived a run-out attempt before he had faced a ball – made the same score before nicking behind when chasing a wide delivery from Hasan Ali in the 14th, and Malan soon edged Hasan behind for six.
Bairstow was then bowled by Faheem Ashraf after a 57-run stand with Cook for the fourth wicket, which brought Ben Stokes to the crease.
