*Official* Pakistan in England and Ireland 2016

[LegionOfBrad]

Yeah, think Hales will be kept if only to stop making too many changes in one go.

They may be very tempted to take Hameed on tour though.

The thing is with the likelihood of everyone going up the order to get the additional spin bowler in in the winter. Vince obviously drops out. So you're not really changing anything so i can't see Hales staying.

 

[Furball]

We could and should have fixed some of the middle order issues before this test really. The selectors like to give everyone a fair crack but we have gone too far the other way from the conveyor belt of the 90's.

Hale's probably just about deserved to see out the series. Vince did not.

Ballance hasn't addressed the issues he was dropped for. No idea why he was brought back.

Nah, I'm happy for the selectors to be patient and give players a decent shot. Unless there's someone in County cricket absolutely battering the door down like Trott did in 2009 for instance.

 

[Black_Warrior]

As I see it, England have to play Moeen as a batsman. He is a batsman, a fine one. But he will never be a bowler.

He is a perfectly fine batsman. And with England playing 3 all rounders, 2 front line batsmen, they have already redefined and challenged traditional notions about team balance with their success in the last 2 years. No reason why Moeen cannot be promoted at 5 and play as a batsman and can be the occasional 6th bowler when you need him. This allows them to play Rashid who is no mug with the bat btw.

 

[Pothas]

As I see it, England have to play Moeen as a batsman. He is a batsman, a fine one. But he will never be a bowler.

Yeah this is the position I have reached as well now. He probably needs dropping as a spinner but his batting this summer means he really deserves a shot at 5, making Test hundreds from 7 is a better audition for the role than scoring runs in county cricket.

The problem is who the hell they pick as a spinner, I mean it will have to be Rashid but I don't think many expect that to really go well.

 

[burr]

They are frustrating but it is one of my favourite ever England sides, like them so much more than the team that was actually really good.

I think this period of cricket in general is awesome. No side dominating is so much more fun. And it's not as though that means we're viewing mediocrity. We have Kholi, Root, Smith, Williamson, Khan in the batting, Starc, Broad, Rabada etc in the bowling. I'm loving it.

 

[Black_Warrior]

I think this period of cricket in general is awesome. No side dominating is so much more fun. And it's not as though that means we're viewing mediocracy. We have Kholi, Root, Smith, Williamson, Khan in the batting, Starc, Broad, Rabada etc in the bowling. I'm loving it.

Teams are so substandard now. They only win at home and get smacked outside. Bloody flat track bullies and minnow bashers. Bring back the *enter decade of choice*

 

[Pothas]

Nah, I'm happy for the selectors to be patient and give players a decent shot. Unless there's someone in County cricket absolutely battering the door down like Trott did in 2009 for instance.

Yeah or Bairstow last year.

For all the Bortwick talk he has absolutely not done that.

 

[nightprowler10]

I just realized that if Pakistan win and Australia lose, we'll be number 1 in Test rankings.

 

[burr]

Yeah this is the position I have reached as well now. He probably needs dropping as a spinner but his batting this summer means he really deserves a shot at 5, making Test hundreds from 7 is a better audition for the role than scoring runs in county cricket.

The problem is who the hell they pick as a spinner, I mean it will have to be Rashid but I don't think many expect that to really go well.

And you don't replace him with a spinner (I'm ignoring the fact you're touring India) as you don't seem to have a decent one, you slot Woakes into his position when Stokes comes back and you can play two all-rounders with Moeen as batsman/spinner. England could be so powerful.

 

[Motorwada]

I just realized that if Pakistan win and Australia lose, we'll be number 1 in Test rankings.

If India don't win 3-0.

 

[Black_Warrior]

I just realized that if Pakistan win and Australia lose, we'll be number 1 in Test rankings.

You realized it now? been dreaming about it since forever.

 

[smash84]

root needs to do something about these stupid lapses in concentration

 

[burr]

Teams are so substandard now. They only win at home and get smacked outside. Bloody flat track bullies and minnow bashers. Bring back the *enter decade of choice*

That's true, I do agree not seeing teams perform away from home is a real shame. Why I'm so proud of Pakistan here.

That Australian performance in SL and India in 2004 is what made that team iconic. I don't rate a cricketer unless they can perform away from home. Why Starc in SL has been so impressive.

 

[Spark]

Stone dead.

 

[Tec15]

That's it, Root done now. That's the game.

 

[Black_Warrior]

Smali you don't get to praise Yasir Shah today.

 

[smash84]

woweee

 

[Furball]

Can Pakistan take the extra half hour?

 

[Black_Warrior]

That's it, Root done now. That's the game.

The main batting line up starts now with Bairstow.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Can Pakistan take the extra half hour?

Would need another 3 wickets.