*Official* Pakistan in England 2010

[Jarquis]

08 was soooo bad. I wasn't really playing cricket in 07 so can't really remember.

 

[Neil Pickup]

This was 2007.

I am grateful that it was a month before I moved up here, because the whole of Oxfordshire got battered.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Tewkesbury was probably the worst hit town in the country that summer, actually:

 

[GIMH]

Gone, completely. Barely seen anything come out the sky since the snow in January.

I've just downloaded and analysed a load of rain stats (yes, I know, I'm comfortable with my identity) and we have in fact had the driest Spring since 1997, and the driest January-June since 1976.

Right, time for a new statistic based on the "cricket season" - April to August (bollocks to Septenber, I'm back at school). I've got 97 years of data going back to 1914, and the driest summer to date is 1995, followed by 1976, 1984 and 1990. This year is currently well on course to join that elite group of spinners' summers.

The worst years, in order, have been 1931, 2007, 1924, 1920, 1966, and 2008.

Make of this what you will...

Has pissed down non-stop up north since the start of july

 

[FBU]

Azhar Ali never hit the ball that dismissed him, did he? WTF not review? That Jimmeh was v late going up was the key, surely?

ECB site

Pakistan captain Salman Butt said: “This technology is not 100%. When the ball hits the sticker on the side (of the bat) it doesn’t leave a (‘Hot Spot’) mark.

“But the point is if the batsman knows he has hit the ball there’s no point taking a chance, because if it’s up there on the big screen it’s pretty embarrassing.

“It was very honest of Azhar Ali - good sportsmanship. He edged it and he walked straightaway.

“He knew he was out, so there’s no point taking the referral. If you are found out on the big screen, it doesn’t look nice.”

 

[akilana]

If Kamran held on to some of those catches, it would have been closer. To make things worse for him, he got a duck, which is a blessing in disguise for Pakistan.

 

[Sir Alex]

If England wins this series 3-0 or 4-0, they'll jump above Australia who will be pushed to No.5, their worst ranking ever.

 

[NUFAN]

Big next few days for Umar Amin, Kaneria and hopeful Kamran Akmal. If they don't stand up they will be in danger of losing their spot in the XI IMO.

Out of the 2 new batsman, Azhar Ali has looked way more comfortable at the crease, I think Hameed would help make Pakistans batting lineup look slightly more solid.

 

[BoyBrumby]

ECB site

Pakistan captain Salman Butt said: “This technology is not 100%. When the ball hits the sticker on the side (of the bat) it doesn’t leave a (‘Hot Spot’) mark.

“But the point is if the batsman knows he has hit the ball there’s no point taking a chance, because if it’s up there on the big screen it’s pretty embarrassing.

“It was very honest of Azhar Ali - good sportsmanship. He edged it and he walked straightaway.

“He knew he was out, so there’s no point taking the referral. If you are found out on the big screen, it doesn’t look nice.”

Wasn't just that technology didn't detect an edge tho; to my (admittedly mypoic) eyes there looked to be fresh air between bat and ball. Jimmeh's was a reactive appeal; he only joined in when the slips and (particularly) Prior went up.

Guess Azhar's more likely know if he's hit it tho and kudos for his honesty, even if it was of the pragmatic sort.

 

[King Pietersen]

Follow on avoided and 50 for Gul. Well played, but you can get out now.

 

[Sir Alex]

Brilliant innings from Gul. All timing and no violence. That pull shot and on drive off Finn were just gorgeous.

 

[chalky]

Pitch the ****er up!

 

[Sir Alex]

Finn getting smashed by Gul.. if he is going to pursue this line in Australia, expect same result...

 

[NUFAN]

Unbelieveagul.

 

[Sir Alex]

Dire way to end the innings... best innings of the match so far. What clean striking. 30(10) off Finn alone.

 

[King Pietersen]

Thank **** for that. Disastrous running from Asif and Gul, and some excellent fielding from Morgan. Not looking forward to seeing Aamer and Asif in these conditions. Reckon we'll be 1 down before the end of the 5th.

 

[Sir Alex]

160 all out England hopefully. Unlikely though given pakistan's direness in the field.

 

[Howsie]

So I see Steven Finn is a quick learner

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Not sure while Finn decided to try to bounce out Gul this morning. Perhaps inexperience.

 

[slowfinger]

God this test is over. Over over over.