After joining the elite Lords bowling list in the last Test, all eyes will be on Chris Woakes as he makes his home debut in an England Test team against a much-fancies Pakistan at Edgbaston. With him now cementing his place in the side this, surprisingly, sees the locally-born star playing in his first 5-day international match at his Warwickshire home ground and in surroundings which he would know – every nook and cranny.
But, following his 11-wicket haul at the home of English cricket, all eyes will be on the Birmingham-born fast-medium pacer as he steps out in front of friends, family and much-loved fans in a place he knows better than anyone else out on the field between today and Sunday.
Joining the giants of English quick bowling - Trueman, Botham, Statham and team-mate Broad - with a 10-wicket match haul at Lord’s, it augers well for the former Barr Beacon student.
That said, though, Pakistan, having won the first Test, their hordes of passionate and vociferous fans behind them, are sure to make their presence felt, and have their say in what’s to come in the next few days or so.
