Zak Crawley and Jos Buttler star to bat England into strong position after first day

The pair, who came together with England 127 for 4, put on an unbroken stand of 205 against a fine bowling attack, driving and pulling powerfully throughout

• An innings of authoritative simplicity: Zak Crawley's coming of age
• Scorecard: England v Pakistan

Zak Crawley starred as England dominated the opening day of their final Test against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl.

The 22-year-old made his maiden Test century before going to the highest score of his first-class career on a remarkable day for the Kent youngster, who successfully defended the last ball of the day to leave the field with 171 runs to his name and his sights set on a double hundred.

Playing in only his eighth Test – and batting in his fourth different position in that time, he was supported tremendously by Jos Buttler, who himself ended the day unbeaten on 87.

The pair, who came together with England 127 for 4, put on an unbroken stand of 205 against a fine bowling attack, driving and pulling powerfully throughout.

Joe Root had earlier won the toss after some early morning drizzle and elected to bat. Rory Burns, who has endured a difficult series against the new-ball qualities of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Abbas, fell once again to Afridi – the Surrey left-hander is now averaging just five in this series.

However, his dismissal brought Crawley to the crease, who played beautifully from the off; his first delivery – a leg-stump half-volley – was dutifully clipped to the boundary to show that he meant business.

^{Crawley passed his previous highest first-class score}

Meanwhile, Dom Sibley – in an attempt to show a greater proactivity against spin, was trapped lbw by Yasir Shah for 22, before Root edged a ripsnorter from Naseem Shah to the excellent Mohammad Rizwan, who took a fine diving catch.

And when Ollie Pope fell, once again misjudging the length of a straight delivery from Yasir, England appeared to be in a spot of bother.

But Crawley and Buttler performed admirably, both batting with superb authority. Crawley, in particular, seemed to go about his work almost completely effortlessly.

It was deserved reward, therefore, when having passed the 168 he made for Kent against Glamorgan in 2018, he pushed the final ball of the evening all along the floor to gully and removed his helmet to signify a job well done.

He and Buttler, seeking a second Test hundred himself, will return on Saturday with their sights set on a significant first innings score that could clinch a series victory.

For unrivalled coverage of the county season, subscribe to The Cricketer and receive four issues for £15