ENGLAND coach Duncan Fletcher has accepted his team are almost certain to suffer their first Test series defeat for two years.

Andrew Flintoff took two wickets in two balls to revive England’s hopes just when it seemed they were running out of time to force the result they need in Faisalabad to have any chance of registering a seventh successive Test series victory.

England were unable to make a much-needed breakthrough as Pakistan consolidated a slim first-innings advantage by moving to 50 without loss in their second innings at lunch on day four of the second Test in Faisalabad.

England squandered a promising position on the way to a 22-run defeat on the final day of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan.

England suffered a damaging collapse to turn an anticipated last-day victory over Pakistan into more likely defeat as they stumbled in pursuit of the 198 runs required to take the first Test.

JUSTIN LANGER believes Australia’s selectors have been left with a headache when they choose the bowling attack for this week’s fourth Ashes Test.

West Indies beat Pakistan by seven wickets in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy yesterday to set up a final clash against England in the final at The Oval on Saturday.