***Official*** Pakistan and England in UAE

[amanuensis]

Never pick a batsman on his ability to bowl and bopara?

I'm not doing that. I'm talking about a way of incorporating two spinners in the side, should that make sense - he's a better seamer than Trott! And Morgan isn't anything to write home about as a test batsman.

 

[L Trumper]

I'm not doing that. I'm talking about a way of incorporating two spinners in the side, should that make sense - he's a better seamer than Trott! And Morgan isn't anthing to write home about as a test batsman.

In odi's yes, tests not sure.

Morgan will be given next two tours to prove himself (unless he fails horribly). If he can't mark down his place by then, they will go for the next cab off the rank which may be bopara.

 

[Furball]

With Bresnan injured I'd reckon that unless we go to the 3rd Test 0-0, the chances of us going with 5 bowlers is zero.

 

[Jacknife]

no way will england play five bowlers with bresnan out.

with bresnan injured i'd reckon that unless we go to the 3rd test 0-0, the chances of us going with 5 bowlers is zero.

awta.

 

[Howe_zat]

Yeah, it stopped being a reasonable option as soon as he flew home, and then they didn't call up an allrounder to replace him.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

So looking forward to the test series now, been bloody ages. Hope the players are as up for it as I am.

 

[NasserFan207]

I'm no fan of Bopara, but could he not function as a third seamer & fifth bowler? He wouldn't need to bowl that much alongside two spinners.

In a test match? No way. He's part-time quality.

Used to be slightly better but his bowling has tailed off.

 

[Furball]

In a test match? No way. He's part-time quality.

Used to be slightly better but his bowling has tailed off.

His bowling is more suited to the shorter forms anyway - is his FC average not more than 40?

 

[amanuensis]

In a test match? No way. He's part-time quality.

Used to be slightly better but his bowling has tailed off.

What do they do then if they're confronted with a wicket that looks like it'll offer virtually nothing to the frontline seamers, bearing in mind the way Pakistan under Misbah bat, ie. dull but disciplined? Depend on Pietersen, ie. the odd good ball mixed in with complete tripe?

 

[NasserFan207]

What do they do then if they're confronted with a wicket that looks like it'll offer virtually nothing to the frontline seamers, bearing in mind the way Pakistan under Misbah bat, ie. dull but disciplined? Depend on Pietersen, ie. the odd good ball mixed in with complete tripe?

There's no such wicket. Good bowlers will always get something out of even the flattest track.

In any case, like many have said its just not happening in the first test. Not a chance.

 

[chalky]

Judging by Onions figures he hasn't been able to rid himself of the "4 ball" every over. A real shame really as in IMO pre injury it was the only thing kept him from being a top class bowler (he was a fine bowler anyway).

 

[Jarquis]

His bowling is more suited to the shorter forms anyway - is his FC average not more than 40?

Yep, 76 @ 36 since 2008 though. Obviously not brilliant but 5th bowler standard you could argue.

 

[Howe_zat]

Really not much to shout about for a medium-pace seamer in second division cricket though.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Yep, 76 @ 36 since 2008 though. Obviously not brilliant but 5th bowler standard you could argue.

He'd open the bowling for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

 

[Furball]

Yep, 76 @ 36 since 2008 though. Obviously not brilliant but 5th bowler standard you could argue.

Not really a lot of wickets for 4 years worth of First Class cricket though.

 

[Jarquis]

Nope, played in 57 matches too..

 

[amanuensis]

Not really a lot of wickets for 4 years worth of First Class cricket though.

But I'm not suggesting anything more than a very specific, limited role - bowl a handful of overs with the new ball & a spell later on with the old one. I'm struggling to accept that he can't do that better than Trott.

 

[theegyptian]

if Morgan fails second time around and the wicket for the test is a standard uae wicket I'd seriously consider playing Bopara and Panesar at 6 and 11.

Morgan is coming off a relatively serious injury and hasn't exactly proved himself in test cricket. However bad Bopara is I don't think he'll be that much worse than Morgan in the first test in terms of batting.

Tremlett is too much of a risk for third seamer given he hasn't played for nigh on six months and finn and onions are meh so they may go down the two spinner/two fast bowler route and you will need bopara in that case - his bowling is not great but you can get 10 or 15 overs out of him a day if needed.

Panesar got through a lot of overs for sussex last season especially in the first innings where he bowled containing spells well. Swann really comes into things in the second innings.

but I think they'll go in with the standard

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Morgan
Prior
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Finn

regardless of the way things go tomorrow. That's just the way they'll go.

 

[GIMH]

Tremlett ahead of Finn IMO

 

[Jacknife]

Tremlett ahead of Finn IMO

Agree, if he's fit and he's looked to have had a decent work out so far, with the second innings to go, he has to play imo.

I wouldn't have actually minded fat Sam being on tour, especially if Morgan's poor form continues.