*Official* Australia vs Pakistan in England

[Sir Alex]

Hmm there is merit in that. He averages 50 against Pakistan since World Cup but then Pakistan bowling isn't the worst among the lot tbh.

 

[aussie tragic]

Interesting thing is while Ponting has seemingly looked "in a slump" he has consistently averaged in the 40s in the last 3 years. He has 2586 runs @ 43 from 35 tests with 6 centuries. No way near the old Ponting but still not terrible figures either. Hmm...

But the same consistency is worrying because it suggests a terminal decline, gradual though, but nevertheless terminal.

A more telling stat is the last 12 months....

12T, 804 runs @ 40.20, however 1 score was 209, so remove that innings and he averages only 31.31 in 20 Innings

 

[Sir Alex]

I don't understand logic in removing best performances, obviously a player can't be expected to score his average everytime!

 

[aussie tragic]

I don't understand logic in removing best performances, obviously a player can't be expected to score his average everytime!

Sorry, I should have said "If you remove the 209 where he was dropped 4th ball so he should have scored 0..."

"Mohammad Asif to Ponting, 1 run, dropped, short ball, hooked high out to the deep, straight down the throat of Aamer at long leg who puts down a sitter"

 

[Sir Alex]

Sorry, I should have said "If you remove the 209 where he was dropped 4th ball so he should have scored 0..."

"Mohammad Asif to Ponting, 1 run, dropped, short ball, hooked high out to the deep, straight down the throat of Aamer at long leg who puts down a sitter"

Uh ok...

 

[benchmark00]

Richard Dickinson board.

Are we also taking out the times he got rough decisions and giving him not out scores?

 

[pasag]

In fairness to Afridi, his comments after the match were quite honest and brutal - he admits he's not good enough and he doesn't have the temperament and shouldn't be there. Respect that more than players who just hang around.

It's good for Butt as well. If he started as captain at the beginning of the series, if the side did really badly he'd be under scrutiny (like the crap after Australia), but now he's coming in under "trying" circumstances, so will be let off the hook with whatever happens next on the extended tour.

 

[Noble One]

The selection of Butt as captain is surely a case of last man standing?

Does he have much experience in the role? I would hate for it to influence his batting, Butt has been in fantastic touch this year.

 

[NUFAN]

I want to make a post about Katich's technique...

It definitely gives him an advantage. If you bowl at this off stump you are effectively bowling at his pads. If you bowl to the off side of his pads he can leave the ball alone if he wants to.

I am sure it is has been tried at FC level - but I would like to see a leg side field set with a series of yorkers aimed at his leg pin which he leaves exposed. You might go for a few boundaries but you might buy his wicket if one sneaks through.

What do you make of his technique? Is it an advantage? What are his weaknesses...

Seems to be me he has been Aussies most consistent performer for a while.

Definitely Australia's most consistent performer over the last 2 years or so now. Holding made a pretty good point that he would keep bowling the ball outside off stump and have a deep point and third man to restrict the boundaries.

If you bowled 6 out of 6 balls outside off stump, I think he's very likely to edge a ball to a wide slip/gully.

In saying this, I like his technique cause it works for him. He will get LBW a few times, early in an innings or just after a break and it will look soft, but he hits so many shots leg side so cleanly that while in form it's no big deal at all.

 

[benchmark00]

I was very impressed with how Butt spoke to the media when Pakistan first arrived in Australia last summer. Seemed intelligent and measured. Hope he is given a chance to mould a team under his leadership.

 

[Craig]

He'll be fired after the England series IMO.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Credit to Afridi for stepping aside as he feels it is for the benefit of the team.I have for a long time disliked the man but to step away with such valid reasons as he is giving must have been hard as he knows in his heart that him going is just causing more disruption.

Good luck to Fish Arse then,he's gonna need it.

When Afridi is dropped i hope they go with a youngster and not a waste of space like Malik.

 

[Matt79]

I'm pleased to see Butt have a crack.

 

[benchmark00]

I'm pleased to see Butt have a crack.

Cheeky.

 

[Sir Alex]

I'm pleased to see Butt have a crack.

Far too much to expect him to turn things around for Pakistan.

 

[Shri]

I'm pleased to see Butt have a crack.

I was pleased to see Asif have a crack too, but a lot of ****s disagreed then.

 

[BoyBrumby]

In fairness to Afridi, his comments after the match were quite honest and brutal - he admits he's not good enough and he doesn't have the temperament and shouldn't be there. Respect that more than players who just hang around.

I don't know if you saw the after match discussions on your coverage down there, but Holding was absolutely scathing of Afridi's decision and his reasons. Made a fair point too, actually. Said Afridi had scored 5 test tons in 27 tests, which isn't a bad return for a bloke who plays esstentially as a batting all-rounder in the longest form; he (Holding) said Afridi does have the temprement for it, he just CBA to knuckle down when he can earn a lot more money smashing a few Dorothys in T20.

 

[Sir Alex]

I don't know if you saw the after match discussions on your coverage down there, but Holding was absolutely scathing of Afridi's decision and his reasons. Made a fair point too, actually. Said Afridi had scored 5 test tons in 27 tests, which isn't a bad return for a bloke who plays esstentially as a batting all-rounder in the longest form; he (Holding) said Afridi does have the temprement for it, he just CBA to knuckle down when he can earn a lot more money smashing a few Dorothys in T20.

So Holding is a better judge than Afridi about Afridi here? Ha ha.

 

[BoyBrumby]

So Holding is a better judge than Afridi about Afridi here? Ha ha.

Yeah, because that's what he said, clearly.

Holding was suggesting that the evidence of Afridi's career to date points to Afridi having the temperament for tests but not the discipline or the desire.

I didn't actually say whether I agreed with Mikey or not, but it is a worthy point of debate at least IMHO.

 

[Flem274*]

Too many appear shocked by the performance of Afridi. Has he ever given any sign that he is going to change his ways? The odd well played century from Afridi still contains strokeplay that looks more suited to a club level slogger. At least he has the sense to remove himself from the Test scene. Sets no good example to the likes of Akmal (who is on shaky grounds as is in regards to patient Test batting).

Didn't watch any of last night. North taking wickets not a big shock, probably the 3rd or 4th best spinner in Australia. Seems the perfect candidate to take big hauls against the likes of Pakistan. Looping off breaks just too tempting.

Indeed. They even got out to Martin Guptill down here.

I'm pleased to see Butt have a crack.

Captaining Pakistan is a smelly job. He's gonna have a hairy time of it.