England vs Pakistan Test Series

[Uncle Leo]

I'm sure many of us will be keeping an eye on this series so I reckon it deserves its own thread. Inevitably, all the talk is about the Ashes, but this series is interesting enough in its own right, especially given the Pakistan bowling attack. Predictions? I'll go 2-1 England.

Series Betting, with odds from SZ affiliates:

England 4/9 (Ladbrokes, BlueSq, Boylesports)
Draw 9/2 (William Hill, Stan James, bet365, BlueSq)
Pakistan 9/2 (bet365)

 

[canveyshrimper]

I agree with that 2-1 England, Pakistan arealmost certain to implode at some point in the series, and while they have a potent attack, their batting minus Younis Khan & Mohammed Yousuf looks very inexperienced.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Finn progresses ahead of the Ashes which are barely 4 months away.

 

[number11]

I think those look like decent odds for England who appear a more focused and determined outfit these days, especially where there is a lot of competition for places. By the end of the series Pakistan will have been over here for a fair while and splits could develop, especialyl if they lose heavily early on. Usually Id fancy a couple of draws, but unless the weather ruins a test, with the Pakistani batting being weak, and bowling being stronger, I think there will be a lot of results. I think Pakistan will win one test on the back of a good toss win and knocking England over cheaply, so I will go for 3-1 England (or 2-1 if one is ruined by tests). Would fancy those odds on England winning the series and getting back a 50% increase on my money.....

 

[Swiss Tony]

Licking my lips in anticipation of this series,always some fun when these pair meet,ding ding round 1.

 

[canveyshrimper]

Strauss wins the toss and England will bat first in apparently over cast conditions.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Licking my lips in anticipation of this series,always some fun when these pair meet,ding ding round 1.

Like this you mean?

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I think those look like decent odds for England who appear a more focused and determined outfit these days, especially where there is a lot of competition for places. By the end of the series Pakistan will have been over here for a fair while and splits could develop, especialyl if they lose heavily early on. Usually Id fancy a couple of draws, but unless the weather ruins a test, with the Pakistani batting being weak, and bowling being stronger, I think there will be a lot of results. I think Pakistan will win one test on the back of a good toss win and knocking England over cheaply, so I will go for 3-1 England (or 2-1 if one is ruined by tests). Would fancy those odds on England winning the series and getting back a 50% increase on my money.....

I think 9/2 is seriously good odds when there are only 3 possible outcomes. England should be favourites, but they haven't encountered a bowling attack like Pakistan's for a while and a couple of players look undercooked as a result of England's policy of resting players (not a criticism of the policy, but of the schedule). In contrast Pakistan should be battled hardened, straight off of the series v the Convicts, which should negate England's home advantage.

Pakistan's batting looks flaky, but I can easily envisage England two down in the first hour and a Capey short of match practice striding to the crease. I'm not expecting many of the tests to go 5 days unless the weather intervenes.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Struass dropped by the keeper, simple catch!

 

[timeveritt]

Cook gone......come on cookie get it right! needs a big score not a start or a 50 but a big score....capn strauss looking good though

 

[The General]

Strauss goes and its even stevens as England have some lunch at 103-2!

 

[Uncle Leo]

Strauss goes and its even stevens as England have some lunch at 103-2!

Well you say that, but England are still well odds-on. Pakistan around the 4/1 mark.

 

[canveyshrimper]

Trott & KP both out after lunch 124/4.

A good chance now for Morgan to show what he's made of.

 

[MrB]

On current form Pakistan might let us have Danish for Finals Day after all!!

 

[The General]

Good stuff from Morgan and Colly as we reach 190-4 at Tea.

 

[Grayson]

Poor Danish, as he moves from county to test match cricket he has to downgrade on his wicketkeeper. Awful miss by Kamran Akmal.

 

[The General]

Good use of the referral from Morgan as Danish LBW appeal (initially given) was sliding down leg side by quite a bit. 266-4 at the moment!

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

*stands and applauds Eoin Morgan*

It takes quite some cojones to bring up your maiden Test century with a six, I tells ya...

:clap:

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Surely Cook is running out of chances. He was poor in the Ashes and in Australia he will be a soft target for the Aussies (he averages only 26 against them). He needs 2 or 3 big scores in this series or I fear Trott will be moved up to open with KP at 3 and Bell coming back in at 4.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Fantastic innings from Morgan, who looks like he belongs in the test arena.

Surely Cook is running out of chances. He was poor in the Ashes and in Australia he will be a soft target for the Aussies (he averages only 26 against them). He needs 2 or 3 big scores in this series or I fear Trott will be moved up to open with KP at 3 and Bell coming back in at 4.

I'm struggling to see the logic in dropping Cook because he averages only 26.21 against the Convicts, to make room for Bell, who averages 25.68 against them.

 

[canveyshrimper]

Very impressive stuff from Morgan, and a big hand for the selectors who have shown so much faith in him. He's guaranteed to be on the plane to Australia this winter and fair play to him. I hope he can go on tomorrow and post a big score.