England vs Pakistan Test Series

[Bluesmanager]

I'd be amazed if this saw Tea to be honest, some cracking bowling from Anderson puts him on 9 for the match, and a spectacular catch by Colly puts Pakistan on 54-8.

 

[canveyshrimper]

I'd be amazed if it sees lunch, still 30+ minutes to go.

 

[Bluesmanager]

I was being generous before. I'd agree with you now after Colly takes another indescribable catch. 69-9, Anderson with 5er in each innings, and 5-17 in the 2nd innings. Supreme bowling.

And Swanny wraps it up. 80ao, England win by 354 runs. Anderson finishes with 6-17.

 

[Swiss Tony]

Kinda think that cricket in this country from grass roots to the top is on a big up,nice to see.

 

[canveyshrimper]

England scrape home by 354 runs. Match figures of 11/71 for Anderson.

Pakistan (bowlers aside) were poorer than Bangladesh. Weather permitting and Pakistan not calling up Younus Khan & Mohammad Yousuf, England will win this series 4-0.

 

[Bluesmanager]

I'll assume "scrape home" is sarcastic. Can't wait for the highlights tonight.

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

...and Pakistan not calling up Mohammad Yousuf

They were obviously listening to you, H...

Yousuf recalled from retirement

They've not brought Younus back yet, though. I have to say that although their bowling (Danish aside - poor lad had a dreadful match) was pretty tidy - Asif impressed in particular - their batting was, well, embarrassing. It's like they've forgotten how to build an innings. Let's hope Yousuf can remind them, because although I like to see England win, I also like to see a proper contest - and I also want to see Pakistan continuing to embrace Test cricket (although perhaps that is a folorn hope).

Top stuff from Jimmy, though - hats off to the lad. 11-94 is pretty darn magnificent as match-figures go. Loved Prior's knock in the second innings as well - wonderful stuff (although I do wish he would communicate better when running).

 

[Napster]

11-94 is pretty darn magnificent as match-figures go. Loved Prior's knock in the second innings as well - wonderful stuff (although I do wish he would communicate better when running).

eh? Im sure it was 11-71?

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

eh? Im sure it was 11-71?

It was. I can't add up!

:doh:

11-71 is even better!

 

[Bluesmanager]

Second test day one: Pakistan elect to bat... when they're commonly described as appalling at the wicket.

An hour in and they're 9-2. First guy out went for 0. He spent half an hour at the crease.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

And a 3rd wicket.

I'm glad we lost the toss because I don't thik Strauss would have inserted them.

Cracking game going on in Colombo. The dangerman Sehwag is out for a duck and India have about 260 to chase.

 

[number11]

And a 3rd wicket.

I'm glad we lost the toss because I don't thik Strauss would have inserted them.

Cracking game going on in Colombo. The dangerman Sehwag is out for a duck and India have about 260 to chase.

Yeah I have only just checked out the England score as was following the Sri Lanka game......last game in the series I believe with Sri Lanka 1 nil up........100ish ahead in the second innings with only 2 wickets left, Mendis, only 64 test runs to his name scored 77 from number 10 and they get 260 ahead on a turning wicket. Cracking stuff. India still slight favourates, but they will thoroughly deserve the win if they chase that down. For Sri Lanka, if they win they will once again show why they deserve longer series against the other top nations.


EDIT: The Wall Dravid is out now as well. With Essex edging ahead and England playing as well, I can see a long time spent on cricinfo today!
Also, hopefully it will show the groundsmen that run-fests (like in the second test) are not in any way interesting and its fair wickets that the test game needs.....

 

[Pubey]

They were saying it was a slow wicket today, so have the Pakistani's been especially poor (again), or is our bowling excellent?

 

[number11]

And a 3rd wicket.

I'm glad we lost the toss because I don't thik Strauss would have inserted them.

QUOTE]

You are right there, Strauss has said he would have batted! Definately seems a good toss to lose.

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

They were saying it was a slow wicket today, so have the Pakistani's been especially poor (again), or is our bowling excellent?

I suspect the former, sadly. I am genuinely despondent about the state of Pakistan's batting right now. It bodes ill for the health of Test cricket around the globe; although perhaps I'm being a bit Eeyore-ish about it - the Test in Columbo suggests that India and Sri Lanka may be rediscovering their enthusiasm for the long form of the game. Encouragingly, I was also beginning to persuade my former (Indian) trainee - clearly a devotee of the shorter forms of the game - why Test cricket is the highest, most refined and most challenging form of the game, and thus ultimately the most interesting.

22/3, although you'd not stake a great deal on Umar Akmal and Azhar Ali staying in for any length of time. On the back of last week's display, it seems to me that there's a case for putting in Umar Gul at 5, frankly!

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

30/4. For once, I'm not particularly happy that the Pakistani batsmen have proved me right.

:'(

Right now... Pakistan < Bangladesh?

 

[number11]

I suspect the former, sadly. I am genuinely despondent about the state of Pakistan's batting right now. It bodes ill for the health of Test cricket around the globe; although perhaps I'm being a bit Eeyore-ish about it - the Test in Columbo suggests that India and Sri Lanka may be rediscovering their enthusiasm for the long form of the game. Encouragingly, I was also beginning to persuade my former (Indian) trainee - clearly a devotee of the shorter forms of the game - why Test cricket is the highest, most refined and most challenging form of the game, and thus ultimately the most interesting.

22/3, although you'd not stake a great deal on Umar Akmal and Azhar Ali staying in for any length of time. On the back of last week's display, it seems to me that there's a case for putting in Umar Gul at 5, frankly!

I will see if I can find it, (though maybe YB can assist being the master searcher) but there was an article on cricinfo this week which gave a small insight into the depressing state of affairs that is Pakistani cricket and in particular the enquiry into the abysmal performance in Australia, which was leaked (deliberately).....3 former captains (Younsis, Yousuf, Shoaib) all hating each other, not wanting to perform for their captain in hope they lose them the job, their own friends and cliques within the team doing likewise..... then after apparently trying to start again under Butt (who does seem a fairly solid sort) they call up one of the former protagonists in Yousuf, who hasnt played any cricket since March. I presume they have been over here for a month, and they just do not seem like a bunch of players that will stick together over the next month or so and not implode.

They can be excused partly due to political situations and hopefully neutral tests will assist them (if the hosts keep the ticket prices down). you also have to remember that the Pakistani players are not getting picked up by IPL teams at the moment, so this should be their platform to make their reputations, but unless they can sort themselves out from the top downwards they will fester in test cricket alongside the WIndies.


I do though actually think over the past couple of years there have been a number of tests that have produced a fascinating ebb and flow that is at the heart of what makes test cricket great. Whether it be high 4th innings chases or gritty late order resistence to force a draw, there have been a number of 'quality' test matches (Quality in terms of drama). In the top 5 teams, there is a real competition as to who is the best and hopefully there are more match ups to come (especially giving Sri Lanka the chance as their players do appear to hold tests in the appropriate esteem).

What it needs though is to avoid the pitches designed to ensure a game lasts 5 days (or 20 days as the 2nd test in Sri Lanka appeared to be.....)

 

[number11]

30/4. For once, I'm not particularly happy that the Pakistani batsmen have proved me right.

:'(

Right now... Pakistan < Bangladesh?

Unfortunately I think Bangladesh will struggle to beat anyone until they get a couple of decent new ball bowlers...... If you put Asif and Aamer in Bangladesh team and they would win!

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

I'd certainly like to see that article - and agree with all your observations there, mate. No doubt I've got some 80s/90s nostalgia rattling around in my head - but during that time, Pakistan was a side to be feared and admired in equal measure... Salim Malik, Javed Miandad, Inzamam, Imran Khan, Wasim, Waqar, Mushtaq Ahmed... This side is a pale, pale shadow of that era.

 

[Grayson]

I'd certainly like to see that article - and agree with all your observations there, mate. No doubt I've got some 80s/90s nostalgia rattling around in my head - but during that time, Pakistan was a side to be feared and admired in equal measure... Salim Malik, Javed Miandad, Inzamam, Imran Khan, Wasim, Waqar, Mushtaq Ahmed... This side is a pale, pale shadow of that era.

All this thinking has taken your eye off your batting. Less thinking about Pakistan's past and more trying not to edge Tahir to first slip please Mr Walker ;)