 Broad and Trott are two runs from equalling England's record eighth-wicket stand
The unbroken partnership of 244 between Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad will pass into cricketing folklore along with the truly great partnerships of yesteryear we remember reading about. It was a remarkable day that confirmed Trott's status as a calm, assured batsman in a crisis at number three. It also confirmed Broad's talent as a batsman and he and England need to focus on how they can get him higher up the order. He should certainly be batting above Graeme Swann, who is just a bit of a hitter who gets under the skin of the opposition. Broad is a proper batsman who is without doubt capable of batting at seven, and that would change the dynamics of the team completely, it would mean they could suddenly play five bowlers. The partnership should not mask another England batting collapse, however, although several got decent deliveries. But the ball that got Kevin Pietersen out was so wide and to chase that first ball was a desperately poor shot, about as low as it gets, and only increases the concerns held by many about his state of mind. I think he can't wait for the season to end but often batsmen who are struggling can come good in one-day cricket. Batting at number three in the one-day games he will have plenty of opportunity to get some runs and if he does, although they may only be one-day runs, he will feel much better, which will have a big effect on how he feels about cricket in general. The England batting was the subject of most of the talk leading into this match. As a unit they are failing far too often and Australia will no doubt look at that with a smile. I'm sure they will have a few things up their sleeve for Trott, I'm sure they won't let them get away with all that rigmarole he goes through at the crease like Pakistan did.  Amir was once again the most destructive bowler |
They won't be surprised by Broad though because they know he can bat and he has some style. Today also confirmed what a wonderful talent Mohammad Amir is. It was a fantastic spell of fast bowling that accounted not just for Pietersen but Paul Collingwood, Eoin Morgan and then later Swann for ducks as well. Of course he has great pace but it is not pace alone that does it. Amir has wonderful skill in the way he delivers the ball - at pace - and is so mature as a thinker. With Pietersen he deliberately pushed the ball wide and 'thought him out.' I could not begin to think how I could compare myself to him as an 18-year-old, with just the amount he can already do with the ball. Most young bowlers might be able to swing the ball one way but to be able to do it both ways, at considerable pace, with such accuracy, he is just a supreme talent. Yet Pakistan will be rueing their luck because they were just one wicket away from ravishing England. With only James Anderson and Steven Finn to come, England probably wouldn't have got 130 and it would have been a very different game. As it stands, well, Pakistan had lost it by the end and if Trott and Broad add a few more runs and the Pakistan batsmen are not focused when it is their turn, then Anderson and co find some swing, a batting collapse similar to England's could very easily happen. But days like this can only happen in one sport, and the 26,000 or so here will never forget it. People can bang on about Twenty20 but no other format can provide that sort of captivating drama. Kids were allowed in for £5 which was great and quite a few came along too, so hopefully lots of them can be inspired to take up the game and the wonderful spectacle of Test cricket can continue for many years to come. Jonathan Agnew was speaking to BBC Sport's Jamie Lillywhite
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