Sky Sports Cricket's Michael Atherton says to expect "a very different England" in their Test series against Pakistan, labelling Brendon McCullum's squad more "inexperienced and raw." England's 'Bazball' brand of cricket blossomed on its first overseas outing in a 3-0 series clean sweep vs Pakistan two years ago, sweeping their hosts in spectacular fashion and breaking a fair few records along the way. The first Test between the two sides in another three-Test series starts in Multan on Monday, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 5.
30am Monday (first ball 6.30am). "It's two years since England were last here in Multan, the City of Saints.
It's a very different time of year, though," Atherton said. "The Test match was in December two years ago, it's October now and therefore much, much hotter, with temperatures nudging 40 degrees in England's practice days ahead of this Test match. Trending "It's a very different England team, as well.
No Ben Stokes, he's failed to recover from the hamstring injury he sustained in the summer. "Ollie Pope continues to deputise for him, and in the absence of Jimmy Anderson, Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson, it feels like a much more inexperienced and raw pace bowling attack. Also See: England homepage Stream Sky Sports with NOW Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp Sky Sports Cricket on YouTube Live Test Cricket "Pakistan are under new management as well.
They have a new captain in Shan Masood, a new coach in former Australia fast bowler Jason Gille.