da luck： Pakistan have won the toss and chosen to bat in the first match of theNatWest Series at Edgbaston amid cacophonous support for both sides
George Dobell07-Jun-2001Pakistan have won the toss and chosen to bat in the first match of theNatWest Series at Edgbaston amid cacophonous support for both sides.Alec Stewart admitted that England started this series as “third favourites”after the two finalists of the last World Cup; Australia and Pakistan. Thenews that Graham Thorpe has had to pull out of this match injured with acalf problem will do nothing to shorten their odds.For England Hoggard comes in for the injured Caddick and there is a debutfor Paul Collingwood on the ground where he hit his career best score just afew weeks ago. The omens are good for the Durham all-rounder: on hisfirst-class debut he took a wicket with his first ball and then struck 91.England would be grateful for a similar start today.In the absence of White and Flintoff, Ben Hollioake has a fresh chance tofulfil the promise of his international debut four years ago. Ealham andMullally also return for the hosts, while Cork is retained in preference tothe spinner, Croft.Pakistan have planning of their own to do for the 2003 World Cup in SouthAfrica. Sami and Shoaib show immense promise, but are still some way fromamply replacing the ageing Waqar and Wasim. The only change in their teamtoday from the Old Trafford Test is the return of Shahid Afridi at the topof the order for Faisal Iqbal.Hail and heavy rainfall in the morning have done nothing to dampen thespirits of a capacity crowd. A strong wind may keep the rain away, but withdew expected later it was probably a good toss for Waqar to win. The pitchis dry though and thought likely to take spin.