Cook: England 'out of control' in Razaullah debut thriller — SkimNews
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- Alastair Cook said England had "no plan" and were "out of control" during Razaullah's stunning 81 from 63 balls at Edgbaston, calling for greater leadership from the backroom staff.
- Razaullah, 21 and batting at number nine on Test debut, smashed nine sixes — tying the record for most maximums in an innings by a Test debutant and equalling Ben Stokes' mark for most sixes in a Test played in England.
- A 121-run ninth-wicket stand between Razaullah and Muhammad Abbas lifted Pakistan from eight down to 453 all out, leaving England needing just 130 to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
- Joe Root bizarrely gave the second new ball to part-time off-spinner Dan Lawrence rather than seamer Ollie Robinson; BBC chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew called the call "appalling" and "utterly bonkers".
- Michael Vaughan said England's repeated tactical mistakes are "a warning sign" and the attack "isn't the finished article just yet" as Root begins his second spell as captain.
- Marcus Trescothick, serving as interim head coach until Stephen Fleming takes charge from December's South Africa tour, admitted disappointment but defended England's varied approach of short balls, length, and spin.
Why it matters: Root's captaincy is under fresh scrutiny after Cook torched his tactics as 'out of control', Vaughan warned the attack isn't the finished article, and Agnew called the new-ball choice 'utterly bonkers'. England remain heavy favourites for a 3-0 sweep, but the leadership questions will linger as Stephen Fleming prepares to take over in December.
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