Hafeez's DRS escape 'massively frustrating' - Taylor

James Taylor said it was "massively frustrating" to see Mohammad Hafeez reprieved by a partial DRS system early in his innings on the third day in Sharjah with England convinced he had edged the ball.

Hafeez, on 2, was given out on-field by Bruce Oxenford off James Anderson but successfully challenged the decision with the third umpire, Paul Reiffel, ruling there was conclusive evidence that he had not touched the ball. Hafeez went on to finish the day unbeaten on 97, helping Pakistan to a lead of 74 with seven wickets in hand.

The DRS for this series does not include Hot Spot or Snicko due to cost reasons and the reduced version only gives the third umpire the basic pictures plus audio from which to adjudicate on edges. Jonny Bairstow, England's wicketkeeper, did not appear fully convinced during the appeal, but Taylor said that he was in no doubt.

"Yes, I did," he said when asked if he thought there was a nick, "and I think all the guys behind the stumps did as well. Obviously the umpire did - that's why he put his finger up. But the third umpire has a job to do, and he made his decision.

"It was massively frustrating, obviously a massive wicket. You can see that in the context of the game now - he's on 97 not out - so obviously a huge moment in the game."

There was another curious incident during the review process of Hafeez's wicket. Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan's reserve wicketkeeper who was called up shortly before this Test, brought out drinks for the batsmen and on seeing that the decision would be reversed he gave the hands-across-the-chest signal, which umpires use to indicate a change in decision, in very close proximity to Anderson

This did not go down well with the England players - Joe Root appeared to share a few words - while Paul Farbrace, the assistant coach, in the dressing room did not seem overly impressed.

When Taylor was asked if it was reasonably light-hearted, he said: "I'm not sure we were laughing at him, I think we were frustrated he was smiling a little bit too much for our liking. I think he had fun while he was out there briefly."

On a personal level for Taylor the day was also frustrating as he added just two to his overnight score before edging Rahat Ali. However, he said he had savoured his return to Test cricket after the gap of three years.

"I was excited to get out there to be fair, I loved every second of it yesterday - not so much today - but yesterday was really enjoyable to play in those conditions. It's been a frustrating three years trying to get back in but I loved every second of it. I felt really good at the crease, just disappointing not to kick on today but that happens."

He is now set for a spot in the middle order against South Africa when that series starts on Boxing Day and he is relishing the prospect of the extra pace and bounce. "I back myself against the seamers and I probably prefer a bit more pace on the ball so hopefully the bounce in South Africa will help me."