**Official** Pakistan v New Zealand in the UAE 2014

[OverratedSanity]

McCullum bats normally but then once every two overs plays an obvious cbf shot like that one to Talha.

 

[Burgey]

Yeah it was Chishti I think. Sounds about 140 years old but has the thought processes of a three year old. What's his claim to fame?

 

[ohnoitsyou]

Meanwhile KW striking at nearly a run a ball.

 

[Bahnz]

What do you think is more atypical: McCullum scoring at a strike rate of 140 in test cricket, or KW scoring at a strike rate of 95 in test cricket?

 

[hendrix]

almost unwatchable cricket has suddenly turned into extremely watchable cricket.

 

[Athlai]

Williamson playing a blinder too.

 

[Burgey]

The links to those articles about the Kiwi mindset seem to be accurate judging by McCullum's approach. Could be an epic spray coming if he tons up here.

 

[Bahnz]

Yeah, Williamson is playing the way that I wish Brendon would. Aggressive, but intelligent and selective. McCullum may have started out more that way, but as this innings has gone on and on he's gotten more and more wild.

 

[ohnoitsyou]

Yeah, Williamson is playing the way that I wish Brendon would. Aggressive, but intelligent and selective. McCullum may have started out more that way, but as this innings has gone on and on he's gotten more and more wild.

Aka Astle 222?

 

[straw man]

I admire the way the players have gone about playing this match today. They find themselves returned prematurely from the most bleak perspective and amongst cricketing sensibilities that must seem alien right now. And they find a way through a focus on the pure mechanical execution of their skills. The mind then follows the body and the joy of the contest sneaks back in. Normality won't resume but there is tomorrow and the next day, and what else can anybody do.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Yeah it was Chishti I think. Sounds about 140 years old but has the thought processes of a three year old. What's his claim to fame?

From what I understand from some of my Pakistani friends, he used to be regarded as the voice of Pakistan Cricket for decades, is articulate and generally fair, but is now a bit senile. They say he's pretty much a Pakistani version of Richie Benaud.

 

[Bahnz]

Aka Astle 222?

Yeah actually, pretty similar though McCullum isn't in the kind of form that Astle was on that day.

 

[Zinzan]

The links to those articles about the Kiwi mindset seem to be accurate judging by McCullum's approach. Could be an epic spray coming if he tons up here.

I suspect he'll point to the initials under his silver fern if he does get there & I also suspect he'll be damn proud of the way the team have played in hindsight regardless of whether they wanted to come out this morning. It's just the tonic.

 

[Bahnz]

Wow, 20 overs in and Pakistan are already on to leg theory. Pretty dismal captaincy imo.

 

[RxGM]

Stats Watch: Brendon is at 848 runs this year, NZ record for a calender year is JR with 871

EDIT:When brenond was on 81 runs

 

[Zinzan]

Stats Watch: Brendon is at 848 runs this year, NZ record for a calender year is JR with 871

Ahh, good man. News to me.

 

[Bahnz]

Loved the smile on Paul Reiffel's face as he signalled that 4.

 

[hendrix]

I don't understand why Tucker was talking to the captain there?

 

[duffer]

How hard did he go at that bouncer? Damn.

 

[Flametree]

This is dreadful from Pakistan but McCullum can't half make batting look easy when he gets in the mood.