Pakistan v England 2nd Test

First topic message reminder :

England team:
AJ Strauss(c), AN Cook, IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, IR Bell, EJG Morgan, MJ Prior(w), SCJ Broad, GP Swann, JM Anderson, MS Panesar

Pakistan team:
Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq(c), Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal(w), Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid
Khan


Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat

Good runs for Hales, Bairstow and Kieswetter too in what is a stronger Lions squad than toured Bangadesh. Would definitely like to see Buttler involved in the ODI and T20 squad asap, I think he may be a great addition who can build an innings as well as be a big hitter.

No need for us to call up another seamer to this series, seems pointless to me, if anything we should get cover for our 2 spinners as we already have Finn and Onions sitting on the sidelines.

JDizzle wrote:But ODI's and Test matches are completely different games and as Mogs keeps proving with such aplomb, form in one does not always translate to the other!

True, but Id still have more faith in a player who can make runs in ODIs than one who cant

eirebilly wrote:

Carrotdude wrote:

dummy_half wrote:
I still think he's being given the correct role in the batting line-up - being there to score bonus runs rather than being relied on for a score.

I massively agree with this.

Yep, lets hope that they dont mess with him and try to make an allrounder of him again...

It's a weird one because stats-wise he is becoming a pretty good all rounder yet he really is still a bowler who can bat well. Number 8/9 is perfect for him to counter attack or rub salt in the wound with Bresnan as a more 'proper' batsman ahead of him and Swann a bit more of a slogger behind him. I love our tail I have to say - did anyone see the stats about runs scored from wickets 6-10 on average? Ours was about 50 and the next highest was 25!

Where's Ajmal been btw? He's 34 and only played 18 Tests!

Carrotdude wrote:Where's Ajmal been btw? He's 34 and only played 18 Tests!

I know. True of several members of this team. A lot of guys I assume who got and kept their places through politics and borderline corruption ( the kind of thing Sangakarra spoke about in that speach happening in Sri Lankan cricket, its always gone on in the Windies too ). It does seem the NOTW did some good in ensuring guys like Butt, Kaneria and the other Akmal are memories along with the jail birds.
Think he also probably improved a lot when he realissed he could get away with chucking and started spinning both ways.

I currently have a massive crush on Misbah as a captain, hes another who barely featured in tests yet has a pretty good record since getting back in the side and has been a fabulous captain in every way ( aside form letting his bowlers chuck)
Hafeez is 31 with only 24 tests ( mostly recently). Not a great record as a batsman but since when have Pakistan had good openers and hes a good support bowler, his record stacks up against many countries front line spinners. Rehmans not a bad bowler either , 31 and only his 13th test.

Its by no means a young side despite being pretty inexperienced. for the most part these are the guys who have been long ignored, and their record since the team came together in this form has been a great improvement. Its only really Gul and khan ( who from what I gather stood up against some of the turd from the old lot, hence his temporary exclusion) who carry the stain of the old set up left now. Drawn 2 won 4 test series since Misbah took over and leading this series...thats good by anyones standards, even more so when you look back to 2006 for the previous series victory. Its actually pretty incredible, and a sign of just how bad things have been under previous leadership.
Shame for them that they dont have the young seamer who got himself mixed up in the corruption, but thats the way it is. I hope thats all gone now and these guys dont make that mistake again. The low point for me was the world cup game against Ireland in 07, that was so blatant and disrespectful, and may have contributed to Woolmers death.

I am very impressed by this Pakistan team I have to say, they have done well to pick experienced cricketers if not experienced international players. They seem to handle pressure better and be playing as a team which isn't something you would associate with Pakistan in recent years. They have a nice base now which they can add talented younger players to where they can come into a good environment and learn their trade.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

JDizzle wrote:But ODI's and Test matches are completely different games and as Mogs keeps proving with such aplomb, form in one does not always translate to the other!

True, but Id still have more faith in a player who can make runs in ODIs than one who cant

Sorry PSW, but there we differ. I would prefer a player with a better county record than a ODI player

I guess that i am saying that a ODI player does not always make a good test player...

At the same time, a good county player doesn't always make a good test player. Selection at this level comes down to feeling as much as anything, and I think we all would have thought that Morgan would have deserved a shot at test cricket.

I'd like to see Morgan given this series and the Sri Lanka series, but told that that is his time-frame and he has that time to show that he can take the game to test bowling attacks - and not just coming in at 400-4, but coming in at 40-4 on a pitch with a bit in it.

If Morgan doesn't come good in the next 4.5 tests, then we can look elsewhere, and a lot of that would come down to any players tried in the ODIs, and early season county form (and probably a Lions game before the Windies series). The stand-out contender during that time would then be given the number 6 position for the summer to see how he goes. Morgan would be given a chance to get back to his county and work on his technique and build a couple of big innings.

I wouldn't swap Morgan out for Bopara now, because Ravi's been there, been dropped and there is no guarantee that Ravi would do any better. However, if Bopara can build up a undeniable case over the next 4 months (and Morgan continues to fail) then he should be given a shot. Same with any fresh face coming in.

However, all that's long into the future. This has already been a fantastic test match with something for both teams each day, something we sorely missed in the home series against India. I'd give England the advantage at the moment, but only just. The plan must be to keep the runs down in the first 19 overs tomorrow (no more than 40 if no wickets fall in that time), then blast them away with the new ball. I think England could chase 200 on this deck. I don't think the pressure factor will be too high, if anything it will hopefully focus the minds of the players to the job in hand.

England by 4 wickets.

eirebilly wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

JDizzle wrote:But ODI's and Test matches are completely different games and as Mogs keeps proving with such aplomb, form in one does not always translate to the other!

True, but Id still have more faith in a player who can make runs in ODIs than one who cant

Sorry PSW, but there we differ. I would prefer a player with a better county record than a ODI player

Hmm, there are two points of view there. You get people like Graham Hick who have outstanding county records, but never quite did it on the international scene and then you get people like Tres, Mogs and Vaughan who had modest county records when selected. I guess it depends on the player. Runs at ODI level at least proves that he has the ability to face quality international bowling in some form, but bad ODI form doesn't necessarily mean you can't play international bowling!

Basically, pick Jimmy.

I will name my first born Monty if he can open up the tail in this over before we take the new ball...

Azhar Ali departs for 68.

A rip-snorter of a delivery... too hot to handle and he knicks it to Prior.
170/6 or 100/6 effectively.

New ball is doing its job. Anderson gets Ali then Broad gets Akmal. Rehmann and Ajmal at the crease together, Pakistan effectively 102-7.

Now Akmal is caught by Strauss in the slips off Broad for 13.
Second new ball is producing the goods.
172/7

Morning all

Congrats on the series win breaker.

Its all coming to plsn for England now

Thanks Billy...

Lunch 198/7 or 128/7 effectively.

Need to get them out for under a 150 run lead... the closer it gets to 200 runs could be tricky but I feel England is still in the box seat.

thank god england have woken up this test match, not playing amazing yet just grinding it out and on the up

Its pretty much advantage England, but they shouldn't let the tail get away with many. Ajmal and Rehman have already put up 26 runs together, England will have to show great intensity like they did on the 2nd morning to rip the tail out early.

it will be nice to rip the tail- however i reakon england would still grind out 225 ti win and that would be a real test, even though on the face of it that is an easy task

go on swanny!!! legend

Get in! Come on England!

lol watching monty field is like watching a retarded school girl.

5 wickets for monty - good one lad

might make a cricketer of you yet.

Best he stick to bowling then! Monty completes his five-for, and England are a wicket away from batting again. (Effectively) 138-9, and England would fancy totals of under 150.

Can't see Khan getting any runs here, he never scored any while at Lancs in the summer, his bowling was top draw however. Could cause some issues during the chase.

my prediction- england win by 6 wickets.

6 for Monty, what a comeback to test cricket!!!

Well 4 wickets taken by spin in the first innings, and 8 wickets in the second innings. Obviously a stupid decision to go with two spinners!

Good day for Eng, the 6 wkts going down for 89 runs.

Panesar justified his position.

And very likely to be 1-1 in the series.

actually scrib my prediction out- trott and struss can do this on there own, strauss is due a deecnt score

Spin first up... be positive lads.

Gul with the second over of the day

What effect do people think Trott's illness could have on his batting? Ian Bell is padded up to come out at 3, maybe have Trott come out at 7 only if we really need him?

EDIT: He can't bat until 1:40pm, or 9:40am our time. Do we think he'll come out as early as he can, or will we still go with Bell?

lol - the commentator thinks this game is in the balance. He has been reading views from scared english fans and over exited pakistani ones on twitter- england are odds on favourites, if pakistan win it will be a mighty effort and an amazing comeback

Because he has been off the field this morning he can not bat until 13.40 which is why Bell is padded up.

If a wkt does not fall before then, Trott should then still come in at three if he feels up to it.

I think the commentators are right to be cautious. Englands batting hasn't looked rock solid and a couple of early wickets will really make things difficult. If Monty can get the ball to turn that much, Ajmal can be just as dangerous, if not more so.

hampo we are favourites, its not in the balance, however we are not garanteed to win - however 19 out of 20 we would, we are the best test team in the world, we have grinded this game out with concentration over good form- thats all that is required, english cricket fans on the whole crack me up with there snap negativity

Good rotation of the strike, exactly what is needed. Same way for Ajmal when he comes on.

One bad batting Test and it gives many the jitters.

Not me though

I didn't say we weren't favourites Oakey, but the commentators are right to be cautious imo. I'd rather them be cautious than say this is going to be a walk in the park.

I've seen too many performances by teams undone in the last innings of a game where the pitch has done alot for the bowlers.

hampo he said in the balance- that in english means a 50/50 game. I was very surproised that anyone could think that

Ajmal on in the eighth over.

133 more to win.

I agree it's not quite in a 50/50 but at the same it's not a walk in the park. out of curiosity which commentator said this? Depending on who it was will depend on whether he's talking out his backside or not

13.40 has passed but Trott with his trots has not padded up thus far so Belly looks to be next in still.

One way of him getting to bat at three

Nah id say by "in the balance" means theres still a chance of eithe happening. I find it hard to bekleive any commentator wouldve seriously suggested that a chase under 150 is 50/50 on any pitch.

200, maybe. But with englands batting depth youd fancy them to make this with a bit to spare. The pressure is on Pakistan

you honestly think in the balance means a possibility- lol that means everything on planet earth is in the balance- in the balance refers to a very tight 50/50 game

skyeman wrote:13.40 has passed but Trott with his trots has not padded up thus far so Belly looks to be next in still.

One way of him getting to bat at three

Just got some funny looks from the lads in work when I read this, couldn't help but laugh.

a chase of 150 just needs one half decent partnership tbh and if we cant manage that we dont deserve to win

Plenty of time I know, but they have stopped the rotation and are not applying pressure on the spinners. A couple of hits over the top to spread the field lads please.

Good fields from Misbah and disciplined bowling from their spinners, but no real scares for the batsmen. Who's going to blink first?