ENGLAND v PAKISTAN

At Manchester, August 29. England won by five wickets. Toss: Pakistan. International debuts: D. W. Headley, G. D. Lloyd.

England's batsmen fought back bravely after their humiliation at The Oval three days earlier to attain a modest target of 226. Revenge was particularly sweet against Mushtaq Ahmed, who took none for 52 in ten accurate overs. Pakistan had been restricted partly by consistent line and length, despite an inexperienced England attack - only Gough had bowled in a limited-overs international before - but mainly by their own apprehension at batting on a cracked, uneven pitch. The first-wicket stand brought up 82 in 24 overs, and Aamir Sohail's 48 dragged on for 117 balls. By contrast, England's choice of Knight and Stewart to open together for the first time was rewarded by a stand of 57 at almost six an over. Atherton dropped to No. 3 and his unruffled 65 put the playing surface into perspective, despite groundsman Peter Marron's comment that he would have been unhappy staging even a Sunday League match on it. Graham Lloyd's debut meant that, like Alec Stewart, he began playing for England while his father was in charge of the team. Dean Headley followed both his father, Ron, and grandfather, George, into international cricket, but for England, not West Indies.

Man of the Match: M. A. Atherton. Attendance: 20,686; receipts £531,780.