4th Test: England v Pakistan at The Oval

209 - 7

Woakes run out

Trail by 5

209 - 8

Jonny brilliant catch by by azhar off wahab

Trail by 5

221- 9

Broadie trying to be cute against Yasir

Lead of 7

The Eternal Optimist

the reality  :-[

9 - 9 

Rare for a bowler to influence a series as much as Yasir - he's been pivotal in two victories - and still end up averaging 40

Just saw Stuart Broad hit a ball straight to slip and wonder why he was given out!!

253 all out

Lead of 39

Yasir Shah 5Fer

Pakistan require 40 to Win

Innings break - Day 4

It's been a wonderful Pakistan Independence Day :

for all of those with a little green in their hearts.

They came here as perhaps the best-prepared Pakistan team ever and,

but for a meltdown on the final day at Edgbaston :

might have won the series !

Other bowlers to take a minimum of 19 wickets in a series with an average greater than 40:

Grimmett (Aus) vs England in 1928
Wright (Eng) vs Australia in 1946
Gupte (Ind) vs West Indies in 1958
Mailey (Aus) vs England in 1924
Lee (Aus) vs England in 2005
Gordon (SA) vs England in 1938
Roberts (WI) vs Pakistan in 1977

Congrats to Pakistan for showing great resolve after their collapse at Edgbaston. This was a really fun series. A shame it has to end, to be honest. As I mentioned yesterday, a draw was a fair reflection. These are two very evenly matched sides. Both with questionable middle orders which always gives the opposition a look-in. England's worrying trend of losing the final Test in a series continues. This is an area that needs improving.

Have we seen the last of Hales and Vince in the Test team? An emphatic yes from me. Ballance may get another series. If only for the fact that replacing 3 batsman in a lineup from one Test to the next doesn't happen all that often.