Tuesday 3 November 2015 07:17, UK
James Taylor sent out the message 'I'm here to stay' with his maiden Test half-century, says Sir Ian Botham.
Taylor, playing his third Test and first since the summer of 2012, scored an unbeaten 74 as England reached stumps on day two of the third Test against Pakistan on 222-4, just 12 runs in arrears.
The Nottinghamshire batsman struck six fours off 141 balls, relying on his pace between the wickets to keep the board ticking over - his energy impressing Botham.
"When he came out of the dressing room and got onto the pitch he was like someone escaping from a prison cell," said the former England all-rounder.
"He wanted to be free - there was energy, he was proactive. He's a bubbly character who doesn't sit still. I think Steve Smith is the only person who fidgets more at the crease than James Taylor
"He wanted to do well - he knew there was a lot riding on this and he has filled his boots. It's a terrific effort.
"He's now said to everybody 'I'm here - I haven't let you down; I've done everything you wanted and probably a bit more and I'm here to stay'. Well done James Taylor."
England began a hard-fought day on 4-0 in reply to Pakistan's 234 all out but by stumps had all but erased the deficit through the efforts of Taylor, Alastair Cook (49), Ian Bell (40) and Jonny Bairstow (37no).
Ben Stokes will not be available to bat until England receive results of Monday's scan on his right shoulder but the tourists nevertheless will resume on day three in a strong position.
"England batted really well - they battled in the afternoon session but they really took it to Pakistan in the last session," said Botham.
"The great thing with Taylor and Bairstow is that they rotate the strike and they are always looking to turn ones into twos and twos into threes; it put the Pakistani players under pressure and there were a few mistakes made. It was an absolutely magnificent effort from those two.
"England are 12 runs behind with six wickets in hand - five if Ben Stokes can't play - and they are in a very healthy position.
"If they could get to 100 runs ahead, if they could make that a target then they could be in a very strong position because I think the pitch will deteriorate.
"I think today we saw the pitch at his best. I spoke to the fourth umpire who has done a lot of games here and he said exactly that; it will get more unpredictable from day three onwards and there will be a lot more turn so England can bat well in to tomorrow, they are going to be in the driving seat."
England captain Cook spoke at length after England's defeat in Dubai about the importance of his side not losing wickets in clusters and the tourists' resolve was clear to see in the afternoon session as Rahat Ali bowled nine overs, six of them maidens, taking 1-7.
"England wore the opposition down which is what we've seen the opposition do with our bowlers," said Botham.
"The opposition will see James Anderson and Stuart Broad off and not let them pick up wickets, preferring to pick off the spinners.
"England have done exactly the same to Pakistan and I thought it was excellent. Wahab Riaz gives it everything but he was wicketless.
"England won day one and they certainly won today. If they can win the crucial third day tomorrow, they'll be in the driving seat."
Live coverage of day three of the third Test continues on Sky Sports 2 from 5.45am on Tuesday. You can also watch without a contract on NOW TV. Don't miss highlights of today's play at 5pm on Sky Sports 2, followed by The Verdict at 6pm on the same channel.
