Hussain has lost confidence in Salisbury

Nasser Hussain went on to the defensive very quickly this afternoon, and this included taking Ian Salisbury out of the attack after only four overs.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the captain has little confidence in his leg spinner.

Salisbury looked most depressed as he boarded the team bus this evening, and this must have ramifications for England's tour of Sri Lanka in the New Year.

There seems little alternative but for the selectors to draft in a third spinner - either Chris Schofield or Northamptonshire's Jason Brown - because Salisbury is not being given the opportunity to pull his weight.

It is difficult to believe that the pitches in Sri Lanka will not spin even more than the ones England have encountered here.

This is not only because of the presence of Muttiah Muralitharan in their team, but also Hussain's reluctance to bowl Salisbury.

It means that only one spinner, Ashley Giles, is being used and the seamers are bowling more than they should in unhelpful conditions.

That is all in the future, but watch this space! In the meantime, a result is still possible here.

England's middle and lower order has shown some welcome resilience lately, but I cannot help but worry about the potential for a collapse.

The manner in which Alec Stewart and Graeme Hick threw their wickets away on the third day illustrates the kamikaze element that still exists.

It would be a terrible shame for England if they capitulate needlessly and give the Pakistanis the lead.

That would not be an accurate reflection of the flow of play in the series so far.