England in Dubai vs Pakistan...Cricket.
Discussion
Broad looks to have been the star performer with the ball.....I really hope to see Finn push on, he was bowling genuine 90 mph plus overs in India be great to see him bowl well in proper cricket. Bad news about Brezzer but good opportunity for Finn.
I obviously want England to win but what I really want to see is the team build momentum for the summer vs South Africa and next winter's trip to India.
I obviously want England to win but what I really want to see is the team build momentum for the summer vs South Africa and next winter's trip to India.
DJRC said:
To be fair the England team have had a relatively long layoff and this is the first match on tour. A rusty start, but a winning one. Far removed from England tours of old when the first match would frequently be lost!
Don't get me wrong - I wasn't laying into them, I think the bowlers are back to business, although I have no idea of the quality of batting they were firing at, I still have a nagging concern about Englands batting against spin on low dry pitches, but I guess we will see what happens. Given it is Dubai the pitches will probably be green tops cos dey is well bling innit.
Anyone else a bit pissed off that the Pakistanis have selected Umar Akmal, Farhat and Wahab Riaz given the three were heavily implicated in last summer's fixing scandal? According to the fixer/agent, these three were 'on his books' and the prosecutor at the trial said the role of Riaz 'raises deep, deep suspicions,'.
And they are playing in the UAE of all places - the home of Indian and Pakistani gangsters and money launderers who also happen to have a 'love' for cricket.
I hope England hammer them but I'm finding it hard to get too excited after what happened in 2010.
And they are playing in the UAE of all places - the home of Indian and Pakistani gangsters and money launderers who also happen to have a 'love' for cricket.
I hope England hammer them but I'm finding it hard to get too excited after what happened in 2010.
Can't decide whether we should play 2 spinners or not. Question is, who do you drop to fit Panesar in? I can't see us not sticking with a 4 bowlers to be honest, so at the moment I'm leaning towards dropping Tremlett if there's no bounce or pace (which there isn't on the wicket we're playing on today apparently) and playing Jimmy, Broad, Swann and Monty.
As an aside, I stood next to Tremlett last summer as I was waiting to cross the road - he looks like a big chap on TV but I was genuinely surprised how gigantic he really is in person. Huge!
As an aside, I stood next to Tremlett last summer as I was waiting to cross the road - he looks like a big chap on TV but I was genuinely surprised how gigantic he really is in person. Huge!
mantis84 said:
Can't decide whether we should play 2 spinners or not. Question is, who do you drop to fit Panesar in? I can't see us not sticking with a 4 bowlers to be honest, so at the moment I'm leaning towards dropping Tremlett if there's no bounce or pace (which there isn't on the wicket we're playing on today apparently) and playing Jimmy, Broad, Swann and Monty.
As an aside, I stood next to Tremlett last summer as I was waiting to cross the road - he looks like a big chap on TV but I was genuinely surprised how gigantic he really is in person. Huge!
Or Morgan ? five bats, Prior at 6, Broad 7 - could be an option As an aside, I stood next to Tremlett last summer as I was waiting to cross the road - he looks like a big chap on TV but I was genuinely surprised how gigantic he really is in person. Huge!
Maybe, but I'm not sure if I can see Flower and Strauss changing the line up that's served us so well in the last few series. Do like your idea though, would allow us to play 2 spinners and have the extra pace and bounce of Finny or Tremlett as a bonus.
Particularly seeing as Cook looks like he's got his eye in nicely and we're usually so strong with the bat, I'd be inclined to drop Morgan too but I doubt we will.
Particularly seeing as Cook looks like he's got his eye in nicely and we're usually so strong with the bat, I'd be inclined to drop Morgan too but I doubt we will.
England will have to be careful when facing Ajmal. He's their best bowler imo especially on these spinning tracks. Very difficult to pick his 'other one' or 'doosra'. The Pakistanis now have a very handy spinning attack.
Their batting is still terrible though - a few early wickets and they fold more often than not. The middle order is fragile.
Their batting is still terrible though - a few early wickets and they fold more often than not. The middle order is fragile.
mantis84 said:
Maybe, but I'm not sure if I can see Flower and Strauss changing the line up that's served us so well in the last few series. Do like your idea though, would allow us to play 2 spinners and have the extra pace and bounce of Finny or Tremlett as a bonus.
Particularly seeing as Cook looks like he's got his eye in nicely and we're usually so strong with the bat, I'd be inclined to drop Morgan too but I doubt we will.
I think that it should depend on the conditions and your strengths. If we have 2 top class spinners on pitches that are condusive to taking spin then why not. Puts more pressure on the batters sure, but why shouldn't it. Medium quicks on flat tracks with an old ball are worse than useless.Particularly seeing as Cook looks like he's got his eye in nicely and we're usually so strong with the bat, I'd be inclined to drop Morgan too but I doubt we will.
Yay we won !
Is this performance consistent with our test performance. I really hope not. Bell, Pieterson and Morgan no doubt all have another gear still to find. Bowling looks ok though.
I suppose a lot depends on what the bookies want, but hopefully England are now reasonably focussed on the task in hand
Is this performance consistent with our test performance. I really hope not. Bell, Pieterson and Morgan no doubt all have another gear still to find. Bowling looks ok though.
I suppose a lot depends on what the bookies want, but hopefully England are now reasonably focussed on the task in hand
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