ENGLAND had to settle for a draw in the final Test against Pakistan on the day James Anderson became the first fast bowler to reach 600 Test wickets.

Torrential rain prevented any play until 16:15 BST at the Ageas Bowl, all but ensuring the draw that left England with a 1-0 series win.

There was still the opportunity for Anderson’s moment of history, which came from his 14th delivery of the day when he had Azhar Ali caught by Joe Root at first slip.

Root himself also had Asad Shafiq held at short leg, Pakistan closing on 187-4 following-on in their second innings, 123 runs behind.

The players shook hands just after the last hour began, confirming the second successive weather-affected draw in Southampton.

England still record their first series victory over Pakistan in 10 years, but remain third in the World Test Championship behind India and Australia.

Even if that new competition overcomes the obstacles of the coronavirus pandemic, England face a huge battle to reach the final.

In the meantime, the bio-secure summer continues when an entirely different England squad will take on Pakistan in a three-match Twenty20 series in Manchester, beginning on Friday. (BBC Sport)

ENGLAND 1st innings 583-8 decl.
PAKISTAN 1st innings 273
PAKISTAN 2nd innings o/n 100-2
Shan Masood lbw Stuart Broad 18
Abid Ali lbw James Anderson 42
Azhar Ali c Joe Root b James Anderson 31
Babar Azam not out 63
Asad Shafiq c (sub.) b Joe Root 21
Fawad Alam not out 0
Extras: (lb-9, nb-3) 12
Total: (four wkts, 83.1 overs) 187
Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-88, 3-109, 4-172.
Bowling: James Anderson 19-3-45-2, Stuart Broad 14.1-5-27-1, Chris Woakes 8-2-14-0, Jofra Archer 14-8-14-0, Dom Bess 21-4-54-0, Joe Root 6-0-17-1.