England v Pakistan day one

A century stand between Matt Prior and Stuart Broad saved England from embarrassment, after Pakistan dominated the first day at the Oval.

Debutant seamer, Wahib Riza was the pick of the tourist attack, claiming 5-63 as England were reduced to 94-7 just after lunch.

However Prior (84*) and Broad (48) added a valuable 119, Broad showing glimpses of his best with the bat, whilst Prior was again the orchestrator of England’s fightback, with a well crafted 84 as the hosts were dismissed for 233.

Pakistan’s openers Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed almost got through to the close unbeaten, however James Anderson removed Farhat in the final over the day, seaming one through the gate, leaving the tourists 48-1, trailing by 185 runs.

It was  a poor day for England, after dominating much of the series so far, they would have expected similar proceedings today, however the tourists finally showed real potential, bowling well and taking all but one of their chances.

England will need early wickets in the morning, or could see their chances of wrapping up the four match series deminish at the hands of their much improved opponents.