Sunday 14 August 2016 19:39, UK
England captain Alastair Cook said a lack of top-order runs and sloppy catching cost his side the chance of a series win against Pakistan.
Cook's side came into the fourth and final match of the Investec Test series 2-1 ahead but were roundly beaten at The Oval, with the tourists wrapping up a 10-wicket victory on the fourth evening.
Had England avoided defeat they would have held the distinction of beating every other Test playing nation in the last bilateral series, but that is a statistic that would have papered over some basic issues in the side.
Most worryingly Alex Hales, James Vince and Gary Ballance have all looked less than secure in the top five, often being bailed out by a prolific lower middle-order.
"We've given everyone a pretty fair go. For a batter, our currency is runs - and as a top order, we haven't consistently been doing it," Cook said.
"We played at a disappointing level - we've drawn a series so it's not the end of the world, but we had the opportunity to beat Pakistan and it's frustrating. We weren't good enough in all three areas.
"The catching is a concern: when we've won games we've caught our catches, when we've lost we've dropped our catches. We've definitely dropped in standard this series.
"We're still the same side who beat Australia, won away in South Africa so it's not all doom and gloom, but we're a work in progress."
During the post-match presentation, Cook reflected on a stirring contest between the sides that was for once dominated by sporting acumen rather than the controversies of recent tours.
"It's been a great series to be part of, two good teams playing good cricket and for once with Pakistan and England we've just talked about the cricket," he said.
"Credit to both sides who've played in brilliant spirit and long may that continue.
"Before the series everybody was talking about what a strong side Pakistan were and what a test they'd be. We haven't come through that but we haven't lost the series.
"It probably shows exactly where we are as a side, some good games and some not so good games. Credit to Pakistan for the way they played in this game and credit to our guys for the ones we won and played them off the park."
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, who continues to lead his nomadic side with steel and style at 42 years old, was in emotional mood at the close.
"It's always difficult, it's not about age, not about the physical, sometimes it's mental strength. Sometimes you're mentally tired and that can really come into play and you say 'enough is enough, I have to leave this game'," he said.
"But this team has given so much to me, so much inspiration. They way they are playing, proving everyone wrong, lifting standards is giving me energy to play for Pakistan."
He dedicated the victory to the late Hanif Mohammad, the former Pakistan Test star who died during the match at the age of 81, and noted the significance of the result coinciding with his country's national holiday.
"This Test was particularly important for us, especially with Pakistan's Independence Day on August 14. And this Test was important because we lost a legend, Hanif Mohammad, so this was our tribute to him."
