‘A joke’ – Hussain fumes as day three at Lord’s abandoned amid sunshine

A seething Nasser Hussain said the umpires’ decision to abandon play late on day three of the second Test between England and Pakistan was “a joke”.

Just 24.5 overs were possible on a gloomy Saturday due to rain and bad light, during which time England moved from their overnight 81-3 to 177-7 for a lead of 357 as they look to wrap up a series win.

There looked to be a chance of more cricket when the sun began to shine late in the evening, only for the day to be officially called off just after 6.30pm local time, prompting heavy booing from spectators.

Had the players returned to the field before 7pm, play could have been extended to 7.30pm.

On hearing news of the abandonment, Sky Sports expert Hussain said: “That’s a joke, honestly a joke. That is an unbelievable decision, it really is.

“These fans have waited here all afternoon for it to stop raining. It is now bright, blue sky in the distance. In about five minutes, it is going to be sunny here.”

Speaking moments earlier, after noticing a lack of urgency to get the game on, Hussain said: “I have no idea what’s going on and I don’t think the fans do.

“It’s the brightest it’s been for about eight hours. It’s not raining – get the covers off and start playing. This is the best conditions we have had and no one is doing anything.”

‘Eye-catching Lawrence got his tempo right’

In the small amount of cricket the fans did see, England’s Dan Lawrence clinched a sixth Test half-century with his knock of 50 not out from 66 balls including a stunning six over extra-cover that Sky Sports pundit Dinesh Karthik called “the shot of the series”.

Lawrence opted to counter-attack as Pakistan’s bowlers found lavish movement and the pitch offered up uneven bounce – his England team-mate Emilio Gay was trapped lbw by Mohammad Abbad from an unplayable delivery that scuttled through low.

On Lawrence’s innings, Hussain said: “He got his tempo right. This is not the surface to hang in on, there is a ball with your name on it – as Gay found out – so you have to score, put bowlers under pressure.”

Hussain’s fellow analyst Stuart Broad added: “Lawrence fought hard and played some eye-catching shots as well.

“He took his time to get in and got used to the pitch and then took it upon himself to put bowlers off their line and length, using his feet.”

Watch day four of England’s second Test against Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10.15am on Sunday (11am first ball). Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream no contract.

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