Wood back as Stokes makes his aggressive intent clear

BEN STOKES is ready to double down on his team’s new-age approach to Test cricket — and that aggressive attitude was reflected in the team selection for tomorrow’s Second Test against Pakistan.

- Cameron Ponsonby

A shortened match is expected here in Multan, central Punjab, with 10 overs likely to be lost at the end of the day due to Pakistan’s rapidly setting sun, while time could also be lost in the morning due to smog.

“No,” was Stokes’s blunt response when asked whether the pollution in Multan was a concern for England. Current public health advice here is that outdoor activities should be avoided.

“It’s just another thing we are going to have to deal with,” said Stokes. “It doesn’t seem like it was any more draining because of how muggy it was, it was just a little bit sweatier, so I might have to bring a few more pairs of whites to the game.”

The threat of a shortened match, however, did impact selection, as England made one change from the side that played last week, with fast bowler Mark Wood replacing the injured Liam Livingstone.