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While it was understandable that Virat Kohli limited himself to two debutants in Harare, it will be self-defeating now to keep Mohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Parvez Rasool away from ODI debuts in Bulawayo

The Preview by Abhishek Purohit31-Jul-2013Match factsThursday, August 1, 2013
Start time 0900 (0700 GMT)Cheteshwar Pujara could make his debut in the blue uniform•BCCIBig PictureThe young India side that won the Champions Trophy and the tri-series in the Caribbean was already without so many senior players, it was said the defending world champions already had one eye on building for the 2015 World Cup. For the short trip to Zimbabwe, the selectors picked an even more inexperienced squad, with as many as five of the 15 players having never played an ODI, including three who were still to play an international game. Further, five more players had little international experience. It is all very well saying that this trip was about testing the fringes of India’s bench, but there was also the unspoken expectation – almost an assumption – that Virat Kohli would lead the side to an easy victory in his first full series as captain.Raw side, raw captain. And three games later, Kohli has a 3-0 margin, a century and a half-century. He has also given debuts to Ambati Rayudu and Jaydev Unadkat, and stuck to them for all the three matches. Before the series moved to Bulawayo, Kohli gave himself room to experiment more with the line-up with the series already won. While it was understandable that Kohli limited himself to two debuts in Harare, despite fans’ desire to see more new faces on the field, it will be self-defeating now to keep Mohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Parvez Rasool away from ODI debuts in Bulawayo.With India’s focus ideally shifting to giving the bench a run, what’s in it for Brendan Taylor and his men? Plenty, as the Zimbabwe captain pointed out after the series was lost tamely in Harare. Just getting the chance to play as many as five games against the world champions and top-ranked ODI side is huge in terms of exposure for Zimbabwe. The series gone and, with the toss usually not as important in Bulawayo as it was in Harare, they might just be able to play more freely – especially someone like Taylor, who, as Zimbabwe’s best batsman, has appeared to bat under a lot of self-imposed pressure so far.Form guide India WWWWW (most recent first, last five completed games)
Zimbabwe LLLWWIn the spotlightJaydev Unadkat has come a long way from the teenager who was rushed into a Test debut against the might of South Africa in Centurion in December 2010. He has worked on his strength, increased the length of his run-up and ran in with energy on the unresponsive pitches of Rajkot in the Ranji Trophy. He has been the sharpest of the three India quick bowlers who have played so far, troubling batsmen with zip in his shortish deliveries. Bulawayo will offer lesser help for the bowlers, and it will be interesting to see how the 21-year-old responds.This series has been another typical chapter added to Hamilton Masakadza’s career – three starts in three innings this series and no conversions. He has fallen to the legspinner Amit Mishra each time, all three dismissals coming to loose strokes. Returns of 11, 34 and 38 are not what you expect from a senior top-order batsman in a series Zimbabwe have prepared so hard for. Can he get at least one big score before the series is done? He can begin by avoiding getting out to Mishra.Team newsIndia hardly ever give any hint about their combination at press conferences, but if one were to go by net sessions, Pujara has a bright chance of making his ODI debut. He batted for a long time on the eve of the match. Vinay Kumar did not train due to a niggle, and that could mean an opening for Mohit Sharma to make his international debut.India (probable): 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Rohit Sharma/Cheteshwar Pujara, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 4 Ambati Rayudu, 5 Suresh Raina, 6 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Amit Mishra, 9 Mohit Sharma, 10 Jaydev Unadkat, 11 Mohammed ShamiMalcolm Waller’s horror run of scores this series reads 2, 2 and 0. Timycen Maruma looks likely to play his first ODI since March 2010. He had taken a blow to the shoulder during training in Harare, but Taylor said he’s fine.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Vusi Sibanda, 2 Sikandar Raza, 3 Hamilton Masakadza, 4 Brendan Taylor (capt & wk), 5 Sean Williams, 6 Timycen Maruma, 7 Elton Chigumbura, 8 Prosper Utseya, 9 Brian Vitori, 10 Tendai Chatara, 11 Michael ChinouyaPitch and conditionsUsually, Bulawayo is hotter and drier than Harare, making for a flatter pitch and a quicker outfield, but the wind direction changed a few days ago, bringing in cloud, cold and some wet weather from South Africa. It’s unlikely that the games will be shortened by rain, but the cloud cover could make the toss more important than usual. It was cold and overcast on Tuesday, but the sun broke through around Wednesday noon. The cold breeze persisted, though.The Queens Sports Club pitch appeared dry and had a few cracks, and could play slow.Stats and trivia Brendan Taylor’s highest score in nine ODI innings this year is 39 Fourteen ODI totals in excess of 300 have been scored in Bulawayo as opposed to seven in HarareQuotes”We encourage our boys to play freely, and if we do that we generally play our best cricket. Hopefully there’s a little less pressure, and we just go out there and enjoy ourselves.”

Lancashire’s inability to post a competitive first-innings total has allowed Essex to take command at Old Trafford

Myles Hodgson at Old Trafford08-May-2013Essex 226 and 120 for 2 (Cook 57*) lead Lancashire 177 (Cross 45, Phillips 3-20) by 169 runs
ScorecardKarl Brown’s two-ball duck was typical of another poor Lancashire batting display•Getty ImagesIt may only be their third home match of the summer but already there are worrying signs that Lancashire’s fragile batting may undermine their hopes of an immediate return to Division One. Having strengthened their top-order during the winter, their inability to post a competitive first-innings total has allowed Essex to take command at Old Trafford.Their relegation summer last year was plagued with disappointing batting performances, with Lancashire dismissed for under 300 on 15 occasions. They were bowled out for fewer than 200 in eight matches. That record prompted Lancashire to secure the return of Ashwell Prince and persuade Simon Katich, the former Australia Test batsman, to help improve their batting options.They also signed Wayne White, Leicestershire’s promising allrounder, and provided with slow wickets on their opening two home matches, against Worcestershire and Kent, the recruitment policy appeared to work after they recorded first-innings totals of 448 and 395. Given a wicket with more pace and bounce, however, and the familiar failings returned.Resuming 219 runs adrift, Lancashire were always facing a tough start to the day against Reece Topley and David Masters with the new ball and failed the test by slipping to 22 for 4. Once conditions eased, however, they were little better and were dismissed for 177 in 58.3 overs.The consequences of another first-innings failure were laid bare by Alastair Cook battling through the new-ball spell to reach an unbeaten 57, with sights set on securing an emphatic Essex win on his final appearance before resuming England captaincy duties in next week’s opening Test against New Zealand.”It is a very disappointing day for us,” Lancashire coach Peter Moores said. “We’re not out of it yet but we certainly haven’t helped our cause. Essex used the new ball well and put balls in the right areas and there were a couple of shots where the lads would think they could have done better.”It’s frustrating for us because the goal was to see off the new ball and build a decent platform to get up with them and then go on and get a decent first innings lead. We didn’t do that and we’re going to have to play very well second innings, but there is work to be done first in bowling them out.”None of Lancashire’s batsmen showed the application demonstrated by Cook, or Graham Napier during his opening day century, and paid a heavy price as a consequence. Katich contributed an aggressive 23 off 26 balls but from the moment he fell lbw shuffling across his stumps to earn Sajid Mahmood his first Championship wicket for Essex, their hopes of reaching parity seemed remote.Mahmood enjoyed the extra bounce generated from the Pavilion End on his Old Trafford return, but it was Tim Phillips, Essex’s left-arm spinner, that secured their useful 49-run first innings lead. Gareth Cross showed signs of playing with a resolve required and added a promising 44 for their eighth wicket with White.In sight of his first half-century of the season, however, Cross fell lbw five runs short attempting to sweep. That gave Phillips the first of three wickets and, with Cook’s experience, Essex finished the day firmly in control.

Somerset are likely to be without Alviro Petersen for the first game of the Championship season

George Dobell08-Apr-2013Somerset are likely to be without Alviro Petersen for the first game of the Championship season.Petersen, who has signed as club’s overseas player for the first part of the season, has been detained in South Africa to complete fitness tests for the national board. He will fly on Tuesday night and arrive in London on Wednesday morning, leaving little time to complete the necessary formalities and travel to Chester-le-Street for the match against Durham.”He will arrive in London on Wednesday morning,” Dave Nosworthy, Somerset’s new director of cricket told ESPNcricinfo, “so it’s unlikely we can get him through customs and up to Durham in time.”Petersen’s absence is a blow to Somerset. They are already without Nick Compton, who is being rested on the order of England following his impressive efforts for England over the winter, and hoped that Petersen could help plug the gap.They do welcome back the seamer Alfonso Thomas, however, who had an agreement with the club to prioritise the Championship over any potential IPL contract. Somerset were second in the Championship in 2012, equalling their best-ever finish.Warwickshire, last season’s champions, are also set to be missing a key player, with Chris Woakes rested on the orders of the ECB. The allrounder is suffering from fatigue, so will not be available again Derbyshire. Keith Barker and Boyd Rankin are also out, with Dougie Brown, Warwickshire’s new coach, confirming that Oliver Hannon-Dalby and 20-year-old Tom Milns will form the bowling attack alongside Chris Wright.

Eight players who helped England Women win the World Cup in 2009 are part of the squad for their title defence in India next year

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Dec-2012Eight players who helped England win the World Cup in 2009 are part of the squad for their title defence in India next year. Warwickshire’s Amy Jones is the one uncapped player, although she was part of the World Twenty20 squad in Sri Lanka, while seamer Georgia Elwiss has earned her first call-up for a global event.Elwiss, who has played nine ODIs, made her debut against South Africa in 2011 and has best figures of 3 for 17 against India, at Wormsley, in July. She is the only addition to the squad that took part in the World T20, while the unlucky Susie Rowe, who was forced out of the World T20 with a broken finger, misses out. Charlotte Edwards, the captain, will be playing in her fifth World Cup.”The whole team is really excited about defending our world title in Mumbai in February,” Edwards said. “I’m so proud to be captaining such a talented team in what is the pinnacle event in our sport.”There is a great blend to our squad with a combination of experienced players who were part of the 2009 success and emerging young players who have already shown that they can perform at this level. Every player in our squad has experience of playing in subcontinental conditions and we will continue to work hard during our final preparations so come February we are in the best possible shape to defend our title.”Clare Connor, the head of women’s cricket, said: “It has never been harder to select the England Women’s squad than ahead of this World Cup. So many players have impressed during 2012 and this final group of 15 should be congratulated on their selection. They have the honour of going to the World Cup as the current world champions and we wish them every success in rising to the challenge of bringing the trophy home again.”England will depart on January 17 for a preparation camp before facing Sri Lanka in their first match of the competition on February 2.Squad Charlotte Edwards (capt), Tammy Beaumont, Arran Brindle, Katherine Brunt, Holly Colvin, Georgia Elwiss, Lydia Greenway, Jenny Gunn, Danielle Hazell, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor (wk), Danielle Wyatt

Cricket Australia is to review the process for reporting suspect bowling actions in domestic cricket, to better enable cases to be resolved during the short time span of competitions such as the Big Bash League

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Feb-2013Cricket Australia is to review the process for reporting suspect bowling actions in domestic cricket, to better enable cases to be resolved during the short time span of competitions such as the Big Bash League.The current system requires a player to be “mentioned” on three separate occasions by three different umpires in a single season before an analysis of their action is undertaken. Although there is understood to have been only one case of a bowler’s action being mentioned in the 2012-13 season so far, CA operations manager, Sean Cary, said that the reporting system would be looked at.”It’s to tighten the process up so that it can be effective in competitions that run over short periods of time,” Cary told . “It’s not a crackdown because I don’t perceive we have a major problem.”We have to look at the current procedure because it doesn’t allow for the full process to be completed within the period of time that the BBL is actually played … If there is a doubtful action report or mention, then we need a procedure that deals with it there and then, so if there is an effect as a result of that, it doesn’t impact the competition.”According to CA policy, umpires in Australia can “bypass the mentions process” and report a player’s action directly for review but they are often reluctant to do so because of the controversy attached to accusations of “chucking”. During this year’s BBL, Darren Lehmann publically questioned the action of Marlon Samuels. Lehmann was subsequently reprimanded for doing so.The issue of legitimate bowling actions has provoked recent discussion in Australia. With specific reference to teaching offspinners to bowl the doosra, the national selector, John Inverarity, called it “a question of integrity”. The CA review comes in response to reported disquiet among state coaches about actions which exceed the 15-degree limit on elbow extension allowed by the ICC.

Graeme Smith, South Africa’s Test captain, has said he will not consider international retirement after being offered a county deal from Surrey that could have required him to quit playing for his country.

Firdose Moonda28-Sep-2012Graeme Smith, South Africa’s Test captain, has said he will not consider international retirement after being offered a county deal from Surrey that could have required him to quit playing for his country.Smith made his statement on Twitter after ESPNcricinfo revealed that he had been identified by Surrey to be the back bone of their rebuilding process. While not specifically confirming the offer, Smith hinted at it when he posted, “I am constantly approached about cricketing opportunities at home and abroad and always consider them.” He followed it up with a message that said “I remain committed to the Proteas and my international career!”Surrey have declined to comment on the deal but it is understood that they still see Smith as part of a long-term plan for them. It remains possible that Surrey will consider signing Smith as an overseas player, which would allow him to continue his international career. The retirement of Mark Ramprakash, the death of Tom Maynard and departure of Rory Hamilton-Brown have left Surrey short in the batting department. Although they have signed Vikram Solanki, their search for other reliable batsmen continues.South Africa have a fairly light winter schedule in the coming years, which could allow Smith to play for Surrey in the English summer. Next year – 2013 – they are due to play Sri Lanka in July/August although the three-Test tour may be reduced to fewer matches.The following two years are far quieter. South Africa tour Zimbabwe in 2014 and Bangladesh in the 2015 winter, tours which they have traditionally used for blooding talent and experimenting.At 31, Smith has played international cricket for nine years and captained South Africa for eight. He has played 100 Tests, overseen South Africa’s rise to the No. 1 ranking and holds the record for the most Tests as captain, having broken Allan Border’s record at Lord’s in August. Smith remains part of South Africa’s one-day squad but was not considered for the World T20 squad.Smith previously told ESPNCricinfo that he does not see himself remaining captain until the end of his international career. He stepped down as T20 captain in August 2010 and as one-day captain after the 2011 World Cup, when he also considered giving up the Test captaincy. Gary Kirsten persuaded Smith to stay on but he has admitted he would like to play as a batsman only in future.

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Aug-2012Zimbabwe squad for World Twenty20

Brendan Taylor (capt), Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Graeme Cremer, Ray Price, Kyle Jarvis, Chris Mpofu, Richard Muzhange, Brian Vitori, Prosper Utseya, Forster Mutizwa
Non-travelling reserves: Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Shingirai Masakadza, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Richmond Mutumbami

Richard Muzhange, the 21-year old Mid West Rhinos medium-pacer, is the only new face in the 15-man Zimbabwe squad for the ICC World Twenty20 to be led by Brendan Taylor.Brian Vitori, the left-arm fast bowler, is the only other member of the squad yet to play a Twenty20 international, although he’s already represented his country in Tests and ODIs.”This is one of the hardest squads we’ve had to pick for a while because we had quite a few players competing for places,” Heath Streak, the Zimbabwe bowling coach, told ESPNcricinfo. “Most of these guys are the ones that played against South Africa and Bangladesh in the tri-series. They did well there and we hope they will do well at the World Twenty20. We are in camp now and we will be playing some warm up matches there.”Ray Price, the left-arm spinner, missed the tri-series against South Africa and Bangladesh with an injury but has now returned to the squad.Zimbabwe are in Group C in the World Twenty20, along with South Africa and hosts Sri Lanka. They will play the opening game of the tournament against the hosts on September 18 in Hambantota.

Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan took full toll of a wayward Australia as Sri Lanka forced a third triangular series final in Adelaide

The Report by Daniel Brettig at Adelaide Oval06-Mar-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsTillakaratne Dilshan hits ten fours in his 106•Getty ImagesMahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan took full toll of a wayward Australia as Sri Lanka forced a third triangular series final in Adelaide. Chasing 272, the visitors galloped to the target with 5.4 overs to spare, benefiting greatly from a rollicking start when the first three overs reaped 30 runs.Dilshan alternated between the brazen and the cheeky, crashing 10 fours and also being struck on the helmet when he attempted his patented Dil-scoop. The captain Jayawardene was more cultured, but outpaced his partner in a princely innings that would have ended in the second over if not for a Clint McKay no-ball.Such indiscipline summed up Australia’s predicament, having struck a horrid patch of form in the field midway through the first final in Brisbane and then being unable to rise above it in Adelaide. The captain Michael Clarke is also in the unenviable position of carrying a left hamstring problem perilously close to the start of the West Indies tour, due to begin almost immediately after the third final.Clarke had done his best to give his side a decent total. His 117 in Australia’s 6 for 271 was the fastest of his limited-overs career and the second of his ODI captaincy. David Warner was more circumspect, but his chanceless 100 demonstrated a range of concentration and focus reserved for the best of batsmen. Famed as a boundary hitter, Warner reached the rope only four times in his innings and cleared it only once, but the value of his effort was reflected in a final total far greater than seemed possible at the innings’ midpoint.Matthew Wade departed early to the spin of Dilshan, who opened the bowling and completed a tidy 10 overs, before Shane Watson played a chancy innings in which he was grassed twice. Each dropped catch fell off the bowling of Farveez Maharoof, who ultimately ran out Australia’s vice-captain with a direct hit in his follow through. Lasith Malinga was the tightest of Sri Lanka’s bowlers and deserved his three wickets.Two more catches would go down off Clarke’s bat later in the innings, while Jayawardene raged against a delayed no-ball call at the height of his opposite number’s innings. Debating the point angrily with both umpires after Maharoof had strayed above waist height with a full toss, Jayawardene lost his cool. His fury would be far more controlled when the reply began.A second-over edge behind by Jayawardene was cancelled out by McKay’s overstep, typical of the abject way in which Australia’s bowlers began their defence of a less than watertight total. Brett Lee gave up three wides on the way to conceding 12 from the opening over, and James Pattinson’s first two overs were taken for 22 despite an abundance of away swing.No fewer than 11 of the first 30 runs were handed to Sri Lanka via the extras column, as Australia’s bowlers maintained the poorly form they had demonstrated in the latter overs in Brisbane. Clarke had taken the field despite his injury, but his presence did not make much of a difference.Jayawardene and Dilshan did not get too frantic after the start they were given, and slipped into comfortable gears that involved regular singles and the odd boundary whenever the bowlers strayed in search of a first wicket. Australia’s mid-innings options were milked for regular runs, Xavier Doherty’s first five costing 37.Dilshan was first to pass 50, and Jayawardene soon followed. Australia’s frustration grew when Asad Rauf refused a concerted appeal for caught behind from Dilshan on 77, as replays revealed a substantial edge that Wade gathered while keeping up to Watson.Jayawardene’s sparkling stay was ended by a hint of Pattinson reverse swing and a clear lbw, but Dilshan went on to his second century of the tournament before Dinesh Chandimal and Kumar Sangakkara guided the visitors home.Clarke had little hesitation batting upon winning the toss, but the early overs were slow going. Jayawardene’s imaginative use of Dilshan added to the openers’ uncertainty, and Wade’s impatience proved terminal when he swung at a ball not quite short enough for the stroke and was bowled.Watson’s innings was halting, and he was dropped by Dilshan in the fielding circle then by Rangana Herath on the long-off boundary – the latter unable to complete an equivalent of his spectacular outfield take in the first final. However Maharoof was not discouraged by the missed chances, and when Watson was 15 he gathered and swivelled from Warner’s offside bunt to throw down the stumps and find a diving Watson comfortably short. Clarke helped to build some greater momentum in the company of Warner, who was less conspicuous than he had been at the Gabba.The pair accumulated steadily, adding a little more impetus with the batting Powerplay, and continuing to benefit from profligate fielding from the tourists. Clarke was turfed on 71 and 77, the second chance falling to Malinga, who managed only to palm the chance over the rope for six.It set the scene for an explosive over, in which Clarke took Maharoof for six, four, six, four – the last a high full toss swung behind square leg. Initially the umpires did not call it a no-ball, but on reflection Bruce Oxenford raised his arm to hand Australia an extra run and another delivery. Jayawardene was incensed by the delayed call, arguing at length with both officials in a manner that suggested more of the incident would be heard later.Clarke had blazed past Warner despite the opener having a 23-run start, and he was first to reach his century with a flick through square leg. Though he had made plenty of useful contributions in the interim, it was Clarke’s first ODI century since his first innings as the fully-fledged captain, against Bangladesh in Dhaka in April 2011.Warner’s hundred arrived in the next over, an effort of composure and also courage after his groin complaint in Brisbane. He skied a catch without adding another run, leaving an increasingly restricted Clarke to guide the hosts to a total rather less substantial than was ultimately needed.

Munaf Patel, the Mumbai Indians fast bowler, has been fined 50% of his match fee for making offensive gestures during the match against Kings XI Punjab at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Apr-2012Munaf Patel, the Mumbai Indians fast bowler, has been fined 50% of his match fee for making offensive gestures during the match against Kings XI Punjab at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, the IPL stated in a release.The incident happened during the third over of Kings XI’s innings, after Nitin Saini hit Munaf for two fours. Munaf had a word with Saini at the end of the over, forcing the umpires to intervene. His captain Harbhajan Singh then had to step in to calm him down. Munaf pleaded guilty to the Level 1 offence and was fined by the match referee Raju Mukherjee.This is Munaf’s second offence in this tournament, after he was fined 25% of his match fee in the game against Deccan Chargers in Visakhapatnam. Munaf was appealing for the wicket of Kumar Sangakkara, who was bowled off the inside edge, but was initially denied the wicket by the on-field umpires. Munaf and Harbhajan both argued with the umpires, who eventually referred the decision.

The impressive thing, from an England perspective, is the lack of denial following the back-to-back Test defeats to Pakistan

George Dobell in Dubai31-Jan-2012If the first step to recovery is the acceptance of a problem, then England might just have embarked on the road to rehabilitation.England arrived in the UAE as the No.1 ranked Test side and with a glowing reputation. Two Test defeats later, however, and England’s flaws have been revealed. England may remain, officially, the best ranked Test side, but the title has a hollow ring at present.It leaves England at a crossroads. Overcome their issues with Asian conditions and, in particular, high-quality spin bowling, and this period may yet come to be remembered as little more than a blip. Fail to overcome the spin threat and they will slide down the rankings. How they respond to that challenge may well define the legacy of this side.The impressive thing, from an England perspective, is the lack of denial. The team held a meeting before training on Tuesday – an echo of events of early 2009 when they were humbled in Jamaica – where they accepted that it was time to face facts: they have a significant challenge and their currents methods are not working.It was a point made eloquently by Ian Bell. In many ways, Bell’s problems in this series are a microcosm of the side’s issues. He arrived in the UAE with an excellent reputation, on the back of a wonderful year but has, to date, looked all at sea against Saeed Ajmal, in particular. Bell is averaging just nine and has been dismissed by Ajmal’s doosra three times in four innings.”There is no point saying we were great the last two years and nothing is wrong,” Bell said. “We all know we haven’t played good enough cricket here and we would be stupid just to carry on what we’re doing.”There’s no point in looking back and saying how great we were against Australia or how great we were against India. It is about now and the next challenges. We have a lot of cricket in the subcontinent and we have to get better; individually and as a unit. We can’t keep looking back and patting ourselves on the back – that’s all gone.”Bell was the man dropped after that humiliating reverse in Jamaica, but feels there are few parallels between that situation and England’s current problems. Instead he hopes that England’s success over the last couple of years should give them the confidence to face this new obstacle and insists that the side are relishing the challenge.”It was the right decision to drop me,” Bell said. “I hadn’t scored runs for a while. It’s a different scenario now. I’ve played consistently well now for two years and we’ve had two bad Test matches. So, I’m looking to put in a good performance in this next Test. I don’t think I’ve lost my confidence that’s for sure. I can look back on some good things over the last two years.”The final piece of this England team is to win in the subcontinent. There’s no doubt we’re not doing things quite right and that we’re going to have to get better. It’s exciting, as well. We’ve been given a real whack here and it’s nice to know in Test cricket that there are still challenges for us.”My preparation has been good. We knew what we were going to come up against. I knew I would be starting, in most innings, against spin,” he added. “I still feel I’m hitting the ball nicely. I just haven’t been able to get past that initial hard stage of batting – that first 20-ball period. That’s the danger time, you need to work hard to get to the period where it becomes a bit easier and you can begin to pick the different deliveries. In three of my innings, I’ve been knocked over quite early.”All credit to Pakistan. They have played very well. They have bowled particularly well at new batsmen. They’ve bowled at a good pace; it’s really quick spin. You have to work hard. Batting in the subcontinent you have to get through those first 20-25 deliveries, then things seem to come that little bit easier. So far I haven’t really got through that so I’ll be desperate to work hard to stay in there and survive, then go on to get some runs. I’d love to use my feet to the spinners, but I’ve not been in there long enough to do that.”Bell is realistic enough to know that there is little time for England’s batsmen to learn. The third Test begins on Friday and, barely a week after the conclusion of this tour, England will face similar challenges in Sri Lanka. He makes no promises of success, only assurances of hard work and good intent.”We all sat down and spoke about what we have done and the mistakes we’ve made,” Bell said. “And about how we want to get better. We are all desperate – as a group – in wanting to win Tests in the subcontinent. We can achieve that. It is the last thing that we need to do – we need to start scoring runs in the subcontinent. If we can do that we can start moving forward again.”We need to improve. That might not happen by the next Test but we have Sri Lanka coming up and India, so we have to talk about it now. We have to be honest. There is no point putting it off until Sri Lanka or India because we might make the same mistakes again.”