*Official* Pakistan v South Africa in UAE

[smash84]

yeah, I would have never guessed he would be number 2.

In fact had I been asked to name the top few batsmen in the world these days I would have mentioned Amla, Cook, Clarke, Bell (after his ashes), Kallis (perhaps, although i can't remember his last significant innings )

 

[salman85]

Talking about AB..

Time to hand over the Test Captaincy to him, no? Or is he not interested?

Smith has been captain for almost 10 years now. And the mental toll of it has got to be enormous.

 

[smash84]

If AB's LO captaincy is anything to go by then he should stay away from the test captaincy

 

[centurymaker]

yeah, I would have never guessed he would be number 2.

In fact had I been asked to name the top few batsmen in the world these days I would have mentioned Amla, Cook, Clarke, Bell (after his ashes), Kallis (perhaps, although i can't remember his last significant innings )

Cook and Kallis haven't had a good year. IIRC Kallis didn't do well in IPL either.

 

[smash84]

yeah Kallis's significant innings weren't coming to mind. Cook too? Did he have a poor year or just a middling one?

 

[Garson007]

Kallis has been piss poor all year. He basically have two tests left in the year to keep his "a hundred a year" record going.

 

[centurymaker]

yeah Kallis's significant innings weren't coming to mind. Cook too? Did he have a poor year or just a middling one?

probably the latter. This year's Ashes return series will be decisive in defining his year.

 

[Furball]

yeah Kallis's significant innings weren't coming to mind. Cook too? Did he have a poor year or just a middling one?

3 tons in India, at least 2 vs New Zealand and 3 50s against Australia isn't a poor year by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[centurymaker]

3 tons in India, at least 2 vs New Zealand and 3 50s against Australia isn't a poor year by any stretch of the imagination.

ind v eng series was last yr.

so basically he was well below par against the only good attack he faced. (aus)

 

[Howe_zat]

NZ have had a good new ball attack for a while now. Rest of the side's buggered, obviously.

 

[centurymaker]

it lacks the pace though, doesn't it?

 

[Cabinet96]

it lacks the pace though, doesn't it?

Cook's never had an issue with pace though has he. Boult and Southee are very good new ball bowlers, with the former being exactly the type of bowler who troubles Cook.

 

[MW1304]

Wow that's some poor posting. New Zealand's pace bowling was hugely impressive earlier in the year.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah. If you're an opening batsman then New Zealand very much does count as a good attack. Average third seamer and rubbish spin options make the claim more questionable if you bat further down but Southee and Boult are quality with the new pill. Fourth strongest new ball attack in the world IMO.

 

[harsh.ag]

I still remember flashes of that glorious summer in England when Mohammad Amir made the ball swing. I remember being so happy to see something like that. Not sure how I feel about him returning, but if he is still as good (and honest to boot), I guess cricket would only have gained something. Plus, him with him in the side, it will be three left arm pacers - him, Junaid and Irfan - in the same side. Ever happened before?

 

[smash84]

2 left armers of such different variety and good quality. I don't think so it has ever happened before. Thanks to Wasim for inspiring so many left armers over the years

 

[salman85]

I'm pretty sure Srilanka would have had 3 left arm seamers in the team at some time. Back in the day they used to have this whole list of left armers in the team.

 

[Agent Nationaux]

If Amir does come back and he is allowed to play, then they will get rid of Irfan, which is a shame because Irfan deserves it more despite being not as good.

 

[Prince EWS]

I Amir does come back and he is allowed to play, then they will get rid of Irfan, which is a shame because Irfan deserves it more despite being not as good.

They will at home. You need three quicks at a lot of away venues though.

 

[Agent Nationaux]

They will at home. You need three quicks at a lot of away venues though.

Yeah