*OFFICIAL* England in Pakistan 2024

[BazBall21]

England batsmen only got one proper Pakistani track because they're too good

 

[Starfighter]

So, like, in principle this is the best time to bat in these sorts of conditions. It's only going to get harder and harder to score from here...

I'm surprised they didn't attack the spinners more from the first ball like in the last test. Though Stokes has been immediately more proactive and perceptive with his field settings than Pope was.

 

[Johan]

England batsmen only got one proper Pakistani track because they're too good

watch Pakistan bowlers go for 400+ on this pitch

 

[BazBall21]

A struggling and sensitive player with an anxious demeanour at the crease shouldn't be getting groomed for captaincy

 

[Chubb]

A struggling and sensitive player with an anxious demeanour at the crease shouldn't be getting groomed for captaincy

Are you talking about Saim?

 

[Starfighter]

The commentators talking about Pakistan's lack of seam options and Shan Masood's bowling. Certainly need some more part-time medium pace.

 

[Spark]

I'm surprised they didn't attack the spinners more from the first ball like in the last test. Though Stokes has been immediately more proactive and perceptive with his field settings than Pope was.

This is why I brought up the possibility of a dead pudding pitch. I don't think the batsmen trust the bounce and pace enough to play their shots here.

 

[Silver Silva]

Wow confidence to hit a six in this situation, good signs from the debutant

 

[BazBall21]

Are you talking about Saim?

Pope

 

[Chubb]

Pope

Ah. I thought you meant Pakistan were grooming Saim Ayub for captaincy which I frankly could not see.

 

[Spark]

A bit surprised mid off is still back. You'd think that was a catching position in the ring

 

[BazBall21]

Think Leach nearly always has mid off back

 

[Spark]

Okay this obviously happens a lot but in a situation like this with two spinners operating, set fields and not much scoring the degree to which batsmen are slowing down the game with endless nonsense reaaaally stands out.

 

[Howe_zat]

Okay this obviously happens a lot but in a situation like this with two spinners operating, set fields and not much scoring the degree to which batsmen are slowing down the game with endless nonsense reaaaally stands out.

Do you think England should be docked points for it, or just Somerset?

 

[Starfighter]

Do you think England should be docked points for it, or just Somerset?

 

[Starfighter]

I'm not sure Kamran's one handed sweep is a particularly high percentage shot.

 

[Spark]

Sign of the pitch being a pudding there - long half volley, should easily have been put away, but wasn't timed well enough to go to the rope.

 

[King Kane]

You know it's a spinners track when even Root is getting a bowl this early on the first day.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Kamran done his Babar impression, can give it away now he is set.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

You know it's a spinners track when even Root is getting a bowl this early on the first day.

Stokes will probably bowl 2 overs before lunch to see if it reverses.