Collapses waiting to happen

In a series beset by cloud cover and seamers' pitches, each team has shown a remarkable propensity to lose wickets almost by the dozen in madcap passages of play.

It was less than surprising that the pre-match posturing for the final Test, which will begin with England leading the series 2-1, contained pointed remarks from each camp about the other's brittle batting.

Steven Finn, for England, and Umar Amin, for Pakistan, were the protagonists.

The 6ft 8in fast bowler took guard first, stating: "We've bowled Pakistan out for 72 and 80 so far, so there's a batting collapse waiting to happen. They have had two innings where they have played well and put partnerships together – but at no stage have they got away from us. Their top score is just over 300."

Amin was dropped to accommodate Mohammad Yousuf at the Oval and is unlikely to regain his middle-order place after the returning veteran and Azhar Ali helped the tourists battle back into the series.

Amin may not get the chance to let his bat do the talking on a surface which always favours runs over wickets.

But he said: "England were 2-0 up going to the Oval – but suddenly after the way they were beaten there, they must be on the back foot.

"You're always in the game against them – even if they get a partnership going, you never give up.

"You're never out of it – because they can collapse at any time.

"We just want a repeat of the Oval. We proved there we are a better side."