Paceman Stuart Broad and wicket-keeper Matt Prior saved England from recording their worst ever Test score against Pakistan on day one of the Third Test at the Oval.
After dominating the opening two encounters in the series, England went into the match with a 2-0 lead, however Pakistan debutant Wahab Riaz's four wickets helped to reduce the hosts to 94-7 after England skipper Andrew Strauss had won the toss and elected to bat.
Strauss's analysis of the Oval pitch as "usually a good wicket to bat on" proved to be somewhat wide of the mark as he and opening partner Alastair Cook were both back in the pavilion with just 35 runs on the board.
Cook's miserable run of form continued as he lasted for just seven deliveries before being caught at the wicket off the bowling of Mohammad Asif and unless he produces a stunning performance in the second innings, the vice-captain's place in the side for the next Test will surely be in jeopardy.
The England wickets continued to tumble throughout the day, as Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood both failed to make double figures, while number three Jonathan Trott managed just 12.
Regular England batting saviour Eoin Morgan scored 17 before becoming the sixth man to go and Graeme Swann's week to forget was made worse as he went for eight, leaving England on the brink of their worst effort against Pakistan.
England's 130 all out in the third innings in Lahore in 1987 on the infamous Mike Gatting-led tour that was almost called off following a row between the captain and umpire Shakoor Rana, is their joint lowest effort to date, but at 94-7 it was in danger of being overhauled.
However, an eighth wicket partnership between Broad and wicket-keeper Prior of 119 meant that the hosts eased past 200 before Broad was adjudged leg before wicket for 48 runs to become Riaz's fifth victim of the innings and soon after they were bowled out for 233.
The partnership between Broad and Prior becomes England's ninth highest eighth wicket Test match partnership in their history.
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