Alastair Cook says England are ready to shake off poor starters tag

England’s record in the opener of their last 15 Test series on the road stands at nine defeats, five draws and one win. But Cook said, “We’re as ready as we can be”.

Moeen Ali of England prepares to bat during a nets session at Zayed Cricket Stadium. He may open the innings when the first Test begins on October 13, 2015 in Abu Dhabi. Gareth Copley / Getty Images

ABU DHABI // Alistair Cook, the England captain, knows his side have to break the mould when they meet Pakistan in today’s first Test at Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Abu Dhabi has been a fortress for Pakistan. They have not lost a Test in seven outings since 2010, defeating England, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and drawing against South Africa and Sri Lanka (twice).

England, in contrast, go into the opening match of a Test series abroad with a wretched record. Only once since 2004 have they have won the opening Test match of a series abroad, and that came against Bangladesh, in 2009.

England’s record in the opener of their last 15 Test series on the road stands at nine defeats, five draws and one win. “We’re as ready as we can be,” said Cook, looking to make amends for their 3-0 whitewash when the two teams met in the UAE in 2012.

“Everyone’s thrown everything into practice. With these modern tours, four days of acclimatisation in the middle never seems quite enough.

“But that’s just the way it is. We’re probably underdogs. But that’s a great position for this side to be in.

“Not too many people are giving us too much of a chance the day before this series – quite similar to another series we’ve just played.

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“With the talent and the character of the dressing room, yes, we’ve got to play some amazing cricket over the next 15 days to put Pakistan under pressure. We realise that and I’m very confident in those guys.”

England suffered a blow on the eve of the match with fast bowler Steven Finn ruled out with a foot injury.

Finn, 26, first felt pain in his left foot during England’s second warm-up match against Pakistan A in Sharjah last week, but took part in a nets session on Sunday.

“It’s a bitter blow for him,” Cook said. “He bowled really well in that warm-up game and over the last 12 months he’s made huge strides back to where we’d like him to be.”

Pakistan, too, have injury concerns to their in-form spinner Yasir Shah. The leg spinner suffered back spasm on the eve of the Test and remains doubtful starter.

“Of course it would be a loss for them,” said Cook when asked if that would give his team some relief.

“As always, the day before a big series we’re concentrating on matters which are important to us. He clearly is a fantastic bowler who not many of us have faced.”

Cook said England have a side ready to take on the challenge of inflicting a first Test series defeat on Pakistan in the Emirates. “We understand the pressures of playing subcontinent cricket as well; a lot slower-paced,” he said.

“You can lose games of cricket in a short space of time, but you have to do a lot of good work over a long period to win games, and the guys are prepared for that.”

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