Cricket Sep 09, 2026

England vs Pakistan: Nasser Hussain fumes as day three of second Test at Lord's abandoned during sunshine

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
England vs Pakistan: Nasser Hussain fumes as day three of second Test at Lord's abandoned during sunshine

A seething Nasser Hussain said the umpires' decision to abandon play late on day three of the second Test between England and Pakistan was "a joke".

Just 24.5 overs were possible on a gloomy Saturday due to rain and bad light, during which time England moved from their overnight 81-3 to 177-7 for a lead of 357 as they look to wrap up a series win.

There looked to be a chance of more cricket when the sun began to shine late in the evening, only for the day to be officially called off just after 6.30pm local time, prompting heavy booing from spectators.

Had the players returned to the field before 7pm, play could have been extended to 7.30pm.

On hearing news of the abandonment, Your Site expert Hussain said: "That's a joke, honestly a joke. That is an unbelievable decision, it really is.

"These fans have waited here all afternoon for it to stop raining. It is now bright, blue sky in the distance. In about five minutes, it is going to be sunny here."

Speaking moments earlier, after noticing a lack of urgency to get the game on, Hussain said: "I have no idea what's going on and I don't think the fans do.

"It's the brightest it's been for about eight hours. It's not raining - get the covers off and start playing.

"This is the best conditions we have had and no one is doing anything."

In the small amount of cricket the fans did see, England's Dan Lawrence clinched a sixth Test half-century with his knock of 50 not out from 66 balls including a stunning six over extra-cover that Your Site pundit Dinesh Karthik called "the shot of the series".

Lawrence opted to counter-attack as Pakistan's bowlers found lavish movement and the pitch offered up uneven bounce - his England team-mate Emilio Gay was trapped lbw by Mohammad Abbad from an unplayable delivery that scuttled through low.

On Lawrence's innings, Hussain said: "He got his tempo right. This is not the surface to hang in on, there is a ball with your name on it - as Gay found out - so you have to score, put bowlers under pressure."

Hussain's fellow analyst Stuart Broad added: "Lawrence fought hard and played some eye-catching shots as well.

"He took his time to get in and get used to the pitch and then took it upon himself to put bowlers off their line and length, using his feet."

Lawrence has replaced the retired Ben Stokes in England's XI, recalled after averaging 65.66 for Surrey in the County Championship this term and notching five hundreds.

His Lord's fifty against Pakistan followed a half-century in the series opener at Headingley.

Lawrence is also the chief spin bowling option at the moment as the side go in with an all-pace frontline attack of Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson.

The 29-year-old said: "I'm just trying to contribute every Test I can and give a good showing of myself. Thankfully, so far, I think I have done.

"I'm desperate, along with all the other boys, to establish myself in an England shirt, which is something I haven't quite done in my career so far.

"It's about trying to take every opportunity you get and really enjoy the occasion instead of feeling nervous. Have fun and play the cricket that's got me here this summer."

Watch day four of England's second Test against Pakistan live on Your Site Cricket from 10.15am on Sunday (11am first ball). Not got Sky? or .

All games live on Your Site

Tags:

cricket news

Share this article

Related Posts

The Hundred: Nasser Hussain praises quality of 2026 tournament but criticises packed schedule ahead of Pakistan Test series

The Hundred: Nasser Hussain praises quality of 2026 tournament but criticises packed schedule ahead of Pakistan Test series

Nasser Hussain has praised the quality of both domestic and international players in the Hundred, highlighting its strength compared with the Vitality...

England's Harry Brook goes top of ICC Test batting rankings as Travis Head falls after Australia's shock Bangladesh defeat

England's Harry Brook goes top of ICC Test batting rankings as Travis Head falls after Australia's shock Bangladesh defeat

England batter Harry Brook has returned to the top of the ICC men's Test batting rankings, with Australia's Travis Head dropping down after a couple o...

Rosa Simkin: 2026 MCC Female Young Broadcaster of the Year winner joins Sky Sports for The Hundred final at Lord's

Rosa Simkin: 2026 MCC Female Young Broadcaster of the Year winner joins Sky Sports for The Hundred final at Lord's

The MCC Female Young Broadcaster of the Year for 2026, Rosa Simkin, received the ultimate competition prize when joining Your Site' live coverage of T...

Charlie Dean to captain England Women against Ireland in three-match ODI series

Charlie Dean to captain England Women against Ireland in three-match ODI series

Charlie Dean will captain England Women against Ireland Women in September for the three-match ODI series.Dean was stand-in captain at the start of th...

Ollie Robinson branded 'exceptional' as he and Josh Tongue cut match ball in two after taking five-fers vs Pakistan

Ollie Robinson branded 'exceptional' as he and Josh Tongue cut match ball in two after taking five-fers vs Pakistan

Ollie Robinson was branded 'exceptional' by team-mate Josh Tongue after both pace bowlers bagged five-wicket hauls as England bowled Pakistan out for...

Brydon Carse to miss England's second Test vs Pakistan as Cricket Regulator conducts investigation into nightclub incident

Brydon Carse to miss England's second Test vs Pakistan as Cricket Regulator conducts investigation into nightclub incident

England fast bowler Brydon Carse has been withdrawn from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's from Thursday following an incident...