England frustrated by rain and bad light on day four against Pakistan batsmen in search of victory

England and James Anderson endured a frustrating and weather-affected day four of the third Test against Pakistan as the visitors fought well to end the day on 100 for two. 

The hosts forced Pakistan to follow on after bowling the visitors out for 273 on day three, and Pakistan still trail England’s first innings of 583-8 by 210 runs.

All eyes were on Anderson at the Ageas Bowl as the 38-year-old looked to become the first pace bowler in history to reach the magical 600 mark, but he will have to wait another day after moving to within one wicket of the landmark before bad light and rain interfered. 

James Anderson moved on to 599 wickets on day four but England were frustrated overall

The England seamer remained one short of 600 wickets after bad light and rain intervened 

Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler made a mess of a regulation chance after a wayward drive from Shan Masood before the weather intervened, but he moved on to 599 wickets following the rain delay after trapping Abid Ali lbw.

The decision was reviewed by the Pakistani batsman but DRS showed that the delivery would have gone on to clip leg stump.

Masood would also be dismissed beforehand after Stuart Broad rapped him on the pads for 18, but shortly before the close of play only spinner Dom Bess and Joe Root were allowed to bowl due to the diminishing light.

Staunch resistance from captain Azhar Ali and Babar Azam then followed and saw Pakistan through to the close after bad light forced the players off.  

The rain then came down shortly afterwards the players made their way off the field as the day was abandoned shortly before 6:45pm.

But after a frustrating drop from Jos Buttler he did manage to trap Abid Ali lbw to move closer

Joe Root’s England side are in a commanding position as they forced Pakistan to follow on

Bad light and rain caused problems throughout the day for the hosts in Southampton

Masood and Ali reached 41 for nought before rain forced the players off after just 18 overs in the morning session. 

But Buttler’s chance annoyed 38-year-old seamer Anderson, who reacted with a disbelieving shrug, having already watched three chances go down in the space of 10 deliveries on the third evening. 

Gloucestershire’s James Bracey was also on the field as an injury replacement for Ollie Pope, who sustained an injury to his left shoulder early in the session and was being assessed.  

And after a period in which only the spinners could bowl, the players were back off for light

Azhar Ali also provided some staunch resistance for Pakistan as they closed on 100 for two

To capitalise on England’s frustrating morning, Ollie Pope had to leave the field with an injury