Arthur calls for return of Pakistan 'warriors'

Pakistan secured a 75-run victory at the Home of Cricket in the first of the four-match series, but was outplayed in all departments by the home side in the second contest at Old Trafford as England secured a 330-run win to level at 1-1.

Published : Aug 02, 2016 09:36 IST

Coach Mickey Arthur urged Pakistan to raise its performance ahead of its third Test against England.
Coach Mickey Arthur urged Pakistan to raise its performance ahead of its third Test against England.
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Coach Mickey Arthur urged Pakistan to raise its performance ahead of its third Test against England.

Mickey Arthur has demanded the return of Pakistan's Lord's "warriors" for the third Test against England at Edgbaston.

Pakistan secured a 75-run victory at the Home of Cricket in the first of the four-match series, but was outplayed in all departments by the home side in the second contest at Old Trafford as England secured a 330-run win to level at 1-1.

The series now reaches a crucial juncture in Birmingham and Pakistan coach Arthur has called on his side to show a marked improvement after its capitulation in Manchester.

"We're going to have to raise our game considerably from Old Trafford, without a doubt," said Arthur ahead of the start of the third Test on Wednesday. 

"I was really disappointed with our performance at Old Trafford - really disappointed with the way we lost there. There are credible losses, and there are losses when you lie down and are steamrollered - Old Trafford was clearly that.

"I told the guys I thought we were warriors at Lord's. We were completely the opposite at Old Trafford. We're doing everything we can to get us back on the right track, and I'm 100 per cent [sure] we will be come the first ball on Wednesday.

"We had some good, hard conversations around our performance. We were outstanding at Lord's, and very poor at Manchester. That's clearly not what we want. We want to get the gap between good and bad a little bit closer."

Captain Alastair Cook and Joe Root were in particularly fine form for England in Manchester, the duo putting on a century stand in both innings.

But Arthur suggested England is still vulnerable further down the order, and wants to see Pakistan do more damage against the likes of James Vince and Gary Ballance, whose place in the Test team remains under threat.

"We see them [Cook and Root] as fundamental to England's batting," he added. "I'm not discounting [Alex] Hales, but clearly Cook and Root are the beacon of England's batting at the moment. 

"Vince and Ballance are quality players. But at this level confidence is such an important thing. They clearly know when they walk out to bat that they are playing for their Test places. 

"So that provides another level of pressure. It's not just the opposition running in and bowling a cricket ball at you. Suddenly that pressure is intensified as they're playing for their places as well.

"We feel if we can get into them with the new ball we've got a real good chance."

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