Pace bowling was crucial to England’s unprecedented 3-0 series win here two years ago. Whereas the spinners on the opposing sides were well-matched, the touring seamers comfortably outperformed Pakistan’s – 26 wickets at an average of 23.2 compared to 11 at 62.7.
England’s new-look pace attack was a concern going into this first Test, yet they performed well, especially in reducing Pakistan to 59-5 in the second innings.
Brydon Carse is the third pace bowler to make his Test debut since July, as England build their Ashes-focused attack. The Durham man might well have got his cap in the home summer had he not been serving a ban for historic gambling offences.
In Multan, Carse did a decent imitation of his Durham team-mate Mark Wood, who is absent injured. In taking four wickets, as well as having one chalked off by DRS and a dropped catch, Carse averaged 85.2mph, bending his back to bowl 42% of his deliveries as bouncers.
As a comparison, on the last tour, Wood averaged 88.7mph and sent down half his deliveries as bumpers.
It can be frustrating to see England using bowlers of high pace only as battering rams – Jamie Overton, Olly Stone and Josh Tongue have had similar treatment – but sometimes needs must.
In the right conditions, Wood is given licence to show his considerable skills and the hope is Carse will one day get the same opportunity. Either way, England like him, and he only enhanced his reputation in Multan.