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*Official* Pakistan tour of Ireland, England and Scotland 2018

Bijed

International Regular
I was only following on cricinfo today - anyone who was watching got any thoughts on Bess?
 
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S.Kennedy

International Vice-Captain
I honestly think you're over complicating it and trying to make the available talent fit a prescribed team formula, when the best available talent should determine the team structure.

I think when you have an allrounder and a wicket keeper in the top 6 already, which England do, they're more than free to play a specialist bat at 7, and still have 5 bowling options.

The bigger question for me is not whether Bairstow is one of the top 5 bats in England, as he probably is, it is whether Butler is the 6th best not incl Stokes, or 7th best incl Stokes, and whether Johnny would be even better if giving up the gloves altogether.

I have no issue with Buttler batting below Bairstow and Stokes - I think it best he face an older ball and more tired bowling where possible, I just wonder if England wouldn't have been better with Bairstow dropping the gloves altogether and Foakes being given a chance.

And to be honest, Butler is the perfect guy to bat the with the tail, at full pace, he is England's most destructive batsman who can make quick runs as the bunnies get out. Buttler is one of the most destructive batsman around.
Sorry but I don't agree. That batting order looks like a complete mess to me.
 

SeamUp

International Coach
I wonder how much longer until Root considers continuing as captain ? Not sure it is that natural for him.

If results don't go well this summer for England then will Cook and Anderson in particular really feel like continuing in a losing environment after long careers.

So much in the balance for England cricket here. Need a massive days play tomorrow.


For Pakistan really glad to see the 3 batsmen expected to take them forward stand up (Azhar/Shafiq/Babar) and what can you say about the tenacity of Shadab for such a youngster ? So many ups-and-downs for Pakistan cricket by Mickey Arthur seems like the best fit for them to try address that in the medium term at least.
 

Burgey

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Another really solid day for Pakistan by the looks. England are like the bloke with the wheelbarrow if they’re going to save the game.
 

straw man

Hall of Fame Member
Can't quite believe how much Pakistan are dominating this match and yet it hasn't been just one stellar individual performance or anything - just all-round better. England terrible for the first home match of their summer - that's when you're supposed to put your difficult winter tours behind you. Awful luck for Babar Azam though. Maybe he'll wear an arm guard from now on.

Wood just seems unsuited to this short-ball approach that they started with against NZ. Stokes has a far better bouncer that rears up less predictably, plus has the aggressive persona to go with it. Only problem is that you don't want to over-bowl your all-rounder.
 

Mr Miyagi

Banned
Allrounders Ashraf and Shadab doing a fair job so far of compensating for Pakistan's weak top order batting with some handy knocks this tour so far.

Shadab sure is impressing a lot this year.
 
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Borges

International Regular
Ireland were in an equally dire position when the first innings of both teams were completed.

Pakistan are well and truly ahead at the moment; but this match is not yet lost for England.
What England have to do is to score 400 in their second outing, and the boot will be firmly on the other foot.
 

vcs

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Well done Pakistan! England will need something epic to get back into the game now.
 

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