England's Winter of Cricket 2022/23

First topic message reminder :

Of course we have the World T20 covered in a separate thread, but I thought we should have a new one for England's upcoming games this winter, which feature:

Three ODIs in Australia (17th-22nd November)
Three tests in Pakistan (1st-21st December)
Three ODIs in South Africa (27th January-1st February)
Two tests in New Zealand (16th-28th February)
Three ODIs in Bangladesh (March)

Looking forward to the tests, but I think the ODIs will be instantly forgettable!

Was briefly away and missed the run out. Sharp bit of work from Brook and Foakes ?

Babar might have rather thrown away a century there. And Pakistan in danger of finishing rather under par here with this pair the last real batting ...

This is out , surely ? Yes...reviewed but will surely be two for Rehan...

Lovely ball that.

Yes ! Ashraf gone , two for the young leggie , Pakistan in heaps of trouble at 237/7.

That delivery makes me feel alive again

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:Lovely ball that.

Wasn't it , though ? He bowls some rippers. A few pies , too - but I'll take that any day from a wrist spinner

alfie wrote:

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:Lovely ball that.

Wasn't it , though ?  He bowls some rippers. A few pies , too - but I'll take that any day from a wrist spinner

Absolutely.

Didn't have to turn miles, the angle and length were beautiful.

As someone who has struggled to play spin my entire village cricket life, I've got a lot of time for that delivery!

Foakes fancies another review...afraid Stokes is going to have to stop listening to him

That's two wasted.

Nauman Ali has come out rather aggressively. Stokes keeping his close fielders in for Rehan...I'm sure he won't mind a couple of boundaries if he can grab another one here...

Can't complain about a lack of action today. Not your typical slow pitch , slow score featherbed run accumulation at all. Pakistan might feel they've overdone the Bazball imitation : but we'd better wait and see how the game goes from here. Pity not a bigger crowd in.

Leach lures Nauman into one too many ... Easy for Stokes and it's eight down. New ball due in five. Here comes the debutant...

Wood back on , ahead of that new ball. Interesting move. Keep Salman quiet and try to get his tail end partners ? Worked quite well in Multan...

Nice way to get off the mark , young Wasim:)

Wonder if he'll try to go after Wood ?

Leach does Salman like a kipper...Foakes will rarely get an easier stumping.

Good knock from Salman. But at 300/9 you'd think Pakistan are unlikely to get too many more...

Abrar isn't going to mess around blocking...in fact he's not going to hang around at all...

Four for Leach

Very nice finish. 304 seems sub-par , instinctively . But I guess most felt the same way about England's 281 at Multan. So we'd better see how both sides bat on it...

Ah. Abrar- cadabra

Crawley stone dead lbw ...had no clue to that ball.

No nighthawk . Here comes Pope.

So that's the day done...reckon Pope and Duckett might be glad to have got through that.

Pakistan wasted a review on that last ball. But they'll be happy to have one out already - and the ball doing a bit for the spinners.

7/1 and the bats are going to see a lot of Abrar and Nauman tomorrow , I think. Might be hard work : but the game plan must be to get a solid lead after getting Pakistan out on day one.

Reckon tomorrow will be very interesting.

Shame to have that wicket of Crawley blight the day for England - some turn in the wicket for sure but don’t think it’s anything outrageous once the ball gets a bit old.
Poor dismissal from Crawley - neither forward or back.

Fancy 300 is around 50-100 under par in the first dig from Pakistan, but England will need to get a 400+ score to hammer home the advantage. Be nice to see another Joe Root subcontinental masterclass tomorrow

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:That delivery makes me feel alive again

A beautiful bit of bowling. If Rehan can use the googly and round the wicket angle to trouble lefties like that it will give him a huge advantage. Almost bowling like a very good offie to a leftie there.

There's some work needed as we all know. The low arm doesn't lend itself to accuracy and his googly being the main weapon will make things tougher against right-handers. There's so much talent though and we are yet to see him with the bat of course.

Aren't leggies just fun to watch as well!

king_carlos wrote:

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:That delivery makes me feel alive again

A beautiful bit of bowling. If Rehan can use the googly and round the wicket angle to trouble lefties like that it will give him a huge advantage. Almost bowling like a very good offie to a leftie there.

There's some work needed as we all know. The low arm doesn't lend itself to accuracy and his googly being the main weapon will make things tougher against right-handers. There's so much talent though and we are yet to see him with the bat of course.

Aren't leggies just fun to watch as well!

I also loved his enthusiasm on the pitch and in interview with Atherton after play.

alfie wrote:So that's the day done...reckon Pope and Duckett might be glad to have got through that.

Pakistan wasted a review on that last ball. But they'll be happy to have one out already - and the ball doing a bit for the spinners.

7/1 and the bats are going to see a lot of Abrar and Nauman tomorrow , I think. Might be hard work : but the game plan must be to get a solid lead after getting Pakistan out on day one.

Reckon tomorrow will be very interesting.

Very interesting for sure tomorrow and maybe the first hour even more than that. 

Slight blessings about England's brief batting today - we didn't waste a review on Crawley's oh so obvious lbw or compound problems by sending in a night watchman.

guildfordbat wrote:

alfie wrote:So that's the day done...reckon Pope and Duckett might be glad to have got through that.

Pakistan wasted a review on that last ball. But they'll be happy to have one out already - and the ball doing a bit for the spinners.

7/1 and the bats are going to see a lot of Abrar and Nauman tomorrow , I think. Might be hard work : but the game plan must be to get a solid lead after getting Pakistan out on day one.

Reckon tomorrow will be very interesting.

Very interesting for sure tomorrow and maybe the first hour even more than that. 

Slight blessings about England's brief batting today - we didn't waste a review on Crawley's oh so obvious lbw or compound problems by sending in a night watchman.

Excellent points , guildford...

Though I suspect Olly might have harboured just a little hope of seeing Rehan in as a Night Hawk

Pope and Duckett predictably off to a fast start this morning...young Wasim hooked off in favour of Ashraf after two expensive overs.

Abrar at the other end still looks threatening . Think we will see all spin fairly early.

30/1 after eight.

Nauman breaks the stand ...Duckett lbw , upheld on umpires call. 58/2 in the 14th after a lively partnership.

Both bats were busy , playing shots and running well. Good approach : the odd ball has skidded low so need to be wary , but you need to take the runs as it won't get easier...

Oh ! Root gone first ball caught at slip !

Now England are up against it . Three down and the Pakistani spinners on the charge...

Root having a modest series - rather surprisingly. Guess he's only human.

Brook in under a bit more pressure this time. Be a good test for him...

Enjoying watching some young talents taking each other on here...

Brook advances and smiles Abrar back over his head for six...Abrar retaliates by striking his pad for a quite close lbw call - saved by being very well forward.

Good contest. 77/3

Pakistan perhaps getting a bit over excited...second review burned on a very poor shout against Brook. Ball was good and deceived him...but clearly going well down leg.

Might come back to bite them. Likely be a lot of appeals for lbw as this goes on.

84/3.

Fifty for Pope...

But before we can celebrate too much , he's gone ...cleaned up by a beauty from Abrar

98/4 and England are in a scrap this time. Abrar bowls some rippers...that was one.

Stokes in with a job to do...

Cannot be too critical of Pope for getting out to that...was a lovely piece of bowling. Pope has done rather well on this tour , I reckon...I had feared he might find it tough , given his previous struggles against quality spin ; but he's handled the responsibility of number three (and wicket keeper , twice !) quite impressively.

He will be disappointed to have got out then , just the same ; as he was looking very well set.

This isn't a minefield ; but there is certainly plenty of turn on offer for Abrar in particular. Not easy for the batsmen.

112/4

Closing on lunch now...hasn't been full on Bazball , perhaps...but still pretty rapid scoring.

132 runs added inside 28 overs. They'd have doubtless preferred a few less wickets

Is this lunch ? Yes. 139/4. Nicely poised

Absolutely wild they’ve won a subcontinental series and Root’s barely made over 100 runs across his 5 innings combined. I’d have not thought that would be the case!

Interestingly balanced here - Brook and Stokes batted nicely together in Multan, need them to continue for a while here and a good opportunity for Foakes too upcoming

Brook has absolutely barbecued Stokes there - might need to do some running between the wickets practice!

Bazball or otherwise there's no excuse for the run outs England have had in this series

Good lord...I go away for ten minutes and apparently they toss away a wicket to a daft run out !

Nearly another one just now , I see...steady on chaps !

Gather Brook might owe Stokes a beer or two ? And the team a few more runs...

Foakes is usually pretty good against spin so all not lost yet ; but the situation is anything but comfortable. That Pakistan score looking better by the minute.

GSC wrote:Bazball or otherwise there's no excuse for the run outs England have had in this series

True. I haven't yet seen this one , but from reading comments it sounds very unnecessary .

Previous match run outs were more carelessness than over aggression , certainly. An area they need to tighten up.

Very bad timing today !

alfie wrote:

GSC wrote:Bazball or otherwise there's no excuse for the run outs England have had in this series

True.  I haven't yet seen this one , but from reading comments it sounds very unnecessary .

Previous match run outs were more carelessness than over aggression , certainly.  An area they need to tighten up.

Very bad timing today !

This one today another for the careless category for me Alfie - Brook set off and Stokes was halfway down before Brook stopped - too committed by that point! Done him a kipper - Brook’s had a few dodgy moments between the wickets this series actually. Sure he’ll improve it

Foakes gets a stinker from our mate Joel overturned on review

Thanks Olly...just saw a replay. Indeed the sort of mess we laugh about at club level , eh ?

Brook probably not in a hurry to get back to the shed so hopefully he will kick on ! These two seem to have tailored the New England approach to the situation now : not missing out on scoring chances , but a sensible measure of caution.

One other striking feature : innings is 45 overs old ...but zero extras. Unusual.

Fifty stand up...very much needed !

Two hundred too. More like Old Fashioned Test Cricket , this. But still a very respectable run rate.

alfie wrote:Fifty stand up...very much needed !

Two hundred too. More like Old Fashioned Test Cricket , this. But still a very respectable run rate.

Hi Alfie and all - yep, that really is the Foakes way.  

222/5 and I'm hoping for at least 350 now. Would have settled for less than that when Stokes was so stupidly run out.

Like the way Foakes has played to his strengths in this knock...those controlled clips wide of mid on a very safe and reliable source of runs.

The Harry Brook straight sixes are quite watchable too

alfie wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:

alfie wrote:So that's the day done...reckon Pope and Duckett might be glad to have got through that.

Pakistan wasted a review on that last ball. But they'll be happy to have one out already - and the ball doing a bit for the spinners.

7/1 and the bats are going to see a lot of Abrar and Nauman tomorrow , I think. Might be hard work : but the game plan must be to get a solid lead after getting Pakistan out on day one.

Reckon tomorrow will be very interesting.

Very interesting for sure tomorrow and maybe the first hour even more than that. 

Slight blessings about England's brief batting today - we didn't waste a review on Crawley's oh so obvious lbw or compound problems by sending in a night watchman.

Excellent points , guildford...

Though I suspect Olly might have harboured just a little hope of seeing Rehan in as a Night Hawk

For sure.

alfie wrote:Thanks Olly...just saw a replay. Indeed the sort of mess we laugh about at club level , eh ?

Brook probably not in a hurry to get back to the shed so hopefully he will kick on ! These two seem to have tailored the New England approach to the situation now : not missing out on scoring chances , but a sensible measure of caution.

One other striking feature : innings is 45 overs old ...but zero extras. Unusual.

I do think this “Bazball” approach is a bit more nuanced than folk make out Alfie - they don’t go 100 miles an hour all the time! Definitely periods where they’ll soak up pressure - but as you say, still look to take the scoring chances on offer, they are naturally quite quick scoring players in the middle order anyways so it’s never gonna be like the days of Sibley/Hameed!

Interested to see if Ahmed or Robinson comes in next - suspect Ahmed (rightfully so). Hoping we don’t find out for a while yet though!

guildfordbat wrote:

alfie wrote:Fifty stand up...very much needed !

Two hundred too. More like Old Fashioned Test Cricket , this. But still a very respectable run rate.

Hi Alfie and all - yep, that really is the Foakes way.  

222/5 and I'm hoping for at least 350 now. Would have settled for less than that when Stokes was so stupidly run out.

Hi Guildford...I'd like 350 too...but there isn't a great deal of batting to follow these two so I'm not counting my chickens yet ! This stand has at least arrested what could have been a rapid slide to disaster.

Batting last may not be quite the handicap it generally is...as Atherton has pointed out , pitches here don't seem to deteriorate the way they do in other parts of the sub continent. But you'd still like a lead...

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

alfie wrote:Thanks Olly...just saw a replay. Indeed the sort of mess we laugh about at club level , eh ?

Brook probably not in a hurry to get back to the shed so hopefully he will kick on ! These two seem to have tailored the New England approach to the situation now : not missing out on scoring chances , but a sensible measure of caution.

One other striking feature : innings is 45 overs old ...but zero extras. Unusual.

I do think this “Bazball” approach is a bit more nuanced than folk make out Alfie - they don’t go 100 miles an hour all the time! Definitely periods where they’ll soak up pressure - but as you say, still look to take the scoring chances on offer, they are naturally quite quick scoring players in the middle order anyways so it’s never gonna be like the days of Sibley/Hameed!

Interested to see if Ahmed or Robinson comes in next - suspect Ahmed (rightfully so). Hoping we don’t find out for a while yet though!

Oh I agree they are a lot more calculating than the tabloid headline stuff , Olly : reckon Stokes and McCullum are happy to nod along to the rather simplistic narrative some of the media like ...but as we saw in that third SA Test they are smart enough to dial it back when circumstances dictate.

Perhaps they get a bit carried away sometimes ...Stokes probably the main culprit in that regard ! But in truth what it really is , is always playing with serious intent rather than allowing the game to ever just drift.

Think it is likely Ahmed next. Unless these two put on another hundred - then we might see Wood with a licence

Hundred for Harry B

When you've run out the skipper , it's a good way to make amends !

What a talent Brook is - joins a serious list of English bats to make three centuries in a series now, and only in 3 tests!

Great session for England - 114 runs for only the loss of Stokes in that run out. Trail only by 50 now, big final session upcoming - as Alfie/Guildford point out, the tail has folded a few times against the spin on this tour, so need these two to ideally wipe out that deficit and then can try get a 50-100 run lead.

Make it a daddy hundred Harry!

Three consecutive Test hundreds? Nothing that Ravi Bopara didn't do!

Sorry but Brook not taking the review there (even if it is plumb) is dumb cricket - you have 3 left, who are you saving it for? Jack Leach? Just take it on the off chance

Great nut that from Wasim. Babar just bowling his spinners into the ground definitely looks like a mistake now.

And that did look plumb - but when you are 5 down with three reviews left and 100*, you should review it. Especially given umpires call means you keep your review anyway!

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Sorry but Brook not taking the review there (even if it is plumb) is dumb cricket - you have 3 left, who are you saving it for? Jack Leach? Just take it on the off chance

Beat me to it!

JDizzle wrote:

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Sorry but Brook not taking the review there (even if it is plumb) is dumb cricket - you have 3 left, who are you saving it for? Jack Leach? Just take it on the off chance

Beat me to it!

What I thought was particularly poor was that he didn't talk to the batter at the other end.
Ok, it was Foakes who would probably have got it wrong but they still should have spoken.