Joe Root issues England rallying call ahead of series finale: "We don't know the next time we will play Test cricket"

The skipper has urged his troops to throw everything at Pakistan in the final Test - with uncertainty over what the future may hold

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The old adage that there is no time like the present is particularly apt for both England and Pakistan ahead of the third Test at The Ageas Bowl.

Despite what has been a remarkable and hugely successful summer amid the global coronavirus pandemic, the grim reality of a future without any international red-ball cricket is firmly on the horizon.

Following the conclusion of the series, the bleak mid-winter brings with it uncertainty over what the future holds. White-ball matches will follow, including T20s between the two sides, Australia's visit to England and the Indian Premier League, but this stellar format is back to twiddling its thumbs.

That makes both captains' pre-Test team talks an easy one. Before the virus hit, the schedule dictated that players always had to leave something in the tank. A payday often rested on it. But for some, with weeks, maybe months until they will be required again, they can leave the taps on full blast.

"My message to the guys today was quite simple: we don't know the next time we will play Test cricket so lets make sure we throw everything into this week," said England skipper Joe Root. 

"Let's leave no stone unturned and we give everything to each other and the badge going into this last game. I fully expect everyone to give everything and give ourselves the best chance of finishing this series 2-0."

Red-ball season needs depth, Captain Broad and TMS asleep at the wheel

The hope is that England will fulfill their Test series against India in early 2021, probably in the United Arab Emirates where the IPL will be staged. A return to Sri Lanka, where they were pulled from before the Test series in March, could follow before next summer.

If indeed those tours do go ahead, England's preparation has been less than adequate for the conditions that will welcome them. They will arrive without a genuine front-line spinner. Dom Bess has played all five Tests but has only bowled 97.1 overs and reserve Jack Leach hasn't played international cricket since November due to illness.

Moeen Ali is out-of-favour and has been with the white-ball bubble. Amar Virdi, Mason Crane, and Liam Dawson were part of the 55-man training group earlier this summer and will come into consideration despite having played just four Tests between them. Adil Rashid meanwhile is not deemed ready for a Test return.

"It hasn't (been a great summer) in terms of opportunity and that has come down to the wickets that we have had in front of us," explained Root, who could even go without a main spinner for the third Test. "You look at last week and it was difficult to get a spinner on in those conditions, with the limited play we have had as well. 

"It has been frustrating and that's not a dig at the groundstaff. It has been difficult for them to produce three pitches each in a short space of time. That's been the state of the conditions and it would have been nice for Dom, in particular, to have the opportunity to play and make a real impact. He's done the best he can with the chances he's had."

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