LIVE UPDATES
WICKET – Cook finally departs.
After 148 balls Alastair Cook makes way after being bowled off-stump by Mohammad Amir.
He set a record for the highest ODI score in the competition’s history against Pakistan, but it doesn’t look like anything ground-breaking will occur today as Jos Buttler comes in for Cook.
WICKET – Better, but Bairstow is bowled out at 100-4.
A lot better from England after the interval, but Bairstow loses concentration and is bowled out.
The first match looks like it’s slipping away from England and Alastair Cook’s half-century has been the only bit of positive news for Mark Bayliss’ team today.
Ben Stokes is his replacement.
FIFTY for Alastair Cook, brought up with his 10th boundary of the innings. England 80-3 early in the afternoon session at Lord’s.
Watch the first #ENGvPAK Test on Sky Sports Cricket or follow our blog: https://t.co/UUxvf0XA6e pic.twitter.com/7wI68YplwG
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) May 24, 2018
LUNCH – The players break for lunch as England go in at 72-3.
WICKET – Malan caught out at 47-3.
All of Cook’s partners are quickly being picked off as Malan is caught out thanks to some good bowling by Hasan Ali.
Pakistan are very much in the ascendency here at Lord’s and England need to get going if they are to build some momentum in this match.
WICKET – Root goes at 33-2.
WICKET – Abbas takes Stoneman!
An early blow for England as Alastair Cook’s partner Mark Stoneman is the first batsmen to be dismissed in the fourth over.
Mohammad Abbas’ dangerous delivery catches out Stoneman who makes way for captain Joe Root.
WATCH: Mark Stoneman is the first to go as Abbas bowls him through the gate – the ball cannoning into the top of off!
Watch England v Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket now or follow: https://t.co/xzxrMMY3rF pic.twitter.com/HKCEB1lfOa
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) May 24, 2018
England won the toss and chose to bat in the first part of their Test match series against Pakistan at Lord’s.
The game started at 11:00 and head coach Trevor Bayliss will be hoping his team can redeem themselves after the 4-0 Ashes annihilation against Australia in January.
It is clear to see that England must gain some consistency and be a more rounded outfit on all conditions to make themselves successful once more, but ahead of the game we looked at a key inclusion in the XI and what history suggests about this clash:
History favours England
It was 22 years ago since Pakistan last won a Test match series in England which will provide a sense of optimism going into today’s clash as they look to draw first blood.
1996 was the last time Pakistan left England victorious and in a Test series they will be looking to capitalise on the poor winter they’ve had.
Looking away from Test match records and Pakistan were the unfortunate opponents in August 2016 when England’s Jos Buttler made ODI history by finalising a 444-3 finish – the world’s highest ever score in the competition.
Cook sets Test match milestone
Alastair Cook will play in his 153rd consecutive Test match today which equals the record set by Australia’s Allan Border.
Sir Ian Botham and Alan Knott are behind Cook with 65 international caps and the 33-year-old is no stranger to making and breaking records – he also holds the title for the youngest English player to reach 10,000 Test run.
Somerset’s ‘Best’ set for international debut
Somerset off-spinner Dom Bess will make his international bow today and becomes the third debutant to feature in head coach Trevor Bayliss’ squad over four Test matches.
Club team-mate Jack Leach’s broken thumb meant that Bess was drafted into the squad and despite only playing 16 first-class matches, good form has merited him a place over four days.
Bayliss chose to go with fast-bowler Mark Wood over Chris Woakes to take the final spot in the eleven.
You are an England cricketer @DomBess99!
Follow: https://t.co/TlbPVO45Ii pic.twitter.com/QZwuLS2XQ8
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 24, 2018
