*OFFICIAL* England in Pakistan 2024

[honestbharani]

I honestly think Crawley and Duckett are far more important to this side than Pope coz they always seem to find a way to get to 30 or 40 for no loss in decent time, almost every innings. That is far more rare to find than a #3 who can score runs IMO.

That said, because the openers are so consistent and Pope has had matchwinning innings inspite of the all or nothing style, it really enables them to keep Pope, I feel. If the openers were not this reliable, then paradoxically I think Pope would be more likely to get dropped.

 

[chris.hinton]

The batting averages of the players outside Root and Brook is a little concerning

 

[Chin Music]

The batting averages of the players outside Root and Brook is a little concerning

Duckett doesn't convince me, but he averages over 40. I take your point though. The other 3 of the top 6 (including Stokes) really aren't reliable enough. You are going to get a lot of brainless dismissals and Pope in particular just has an awful defence when he starts up. The dismissal in the first innings of the last test was just awful from him.

 

[FBU]

Pakistan unchanged.

 

[Silver Silva]

Pakistan unchanged.

That is really really foolish in my opinion, Aamer Jamal has done absolutely nothing with the ball and Zahid Mahmood was a spectator, probability of England playing Sajid and Noman Ali better on the second time of asking is high , surely you want to give them something else to think about..

 

[mackembhoy]

I mean Obviously I'm very happy that CW have decided that Pope will never be a top-class number 3, and that's decided @GIMH.

Yet I think Pope has been one of our best top 3 bats in recent history, since baz took over. I'd much more be tempted to ditch Crawley IF there was an outstanding candidate.

Yet people have short memories our top 3 was a joke for ages, propped up by a declining Cook, after Trott retired in 2015, and Cook didn't have a regular partner since Straus retied in 2012. There were probably dozens of players tried in that time, to various levels of craptitude in that top 3, over those years.

He's arguably our second best in 30+ years. Root averaged 39 at 3 before his knock the other week.

Funny seeing Ballance being one of the best at the position mind

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com

 

[mackembhoy]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1848971337899139439

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1848970379219415429

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1848971337899139439

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1848970379219415429

We’ve got a lot of bowlers who can bat these days, in theory we could have had an 8-11 of Woakes, Carse, Rehan and Atkinson (the chances of that ever happening are minute, but it would be fun!)

 

[Starfighter]

That is really really foolish in my opinion, Aamer Jamal has done absolutely nothing with the ball and Zahid Mahmood was a spectator, probability of England playing Sajid and Noman Ali better on the second time of asking is high , surely you want to give them something else to think about..

Mahmood has to be a forced selection. Shan clearly doesn't trust him, and not without reason, because he's crap.

 

[mackembhoy]

Well potentially a massive toss win for England. They’ve got to make the most of it and bat well into day 2, albeit that’s easier said than done anyway.

Plus this side has no concept of batting long unless there’s 556 already on the board for the opposition!

 

[Howe_zat]

Should've bowled first to show intent

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Win the toss win the match they say. Never get a better chance at doing just that.

 

[BazBall21]

It's turning. Sajid has an aggressive demeanour.

 

[Daemon]

this is the slowest ever start for england under bazball

 

[Starfighter]

Good toss to win for England. If they apply themselves a little bit more discerningly than in the last match I don't see why they shouldn't win.

 

[Chubb]

When are they gonna start hitting sixes, this isn't saving test cricket.

 

[Spark]

Something mildly comical about watching Noman trying to backpedal there

 

[mackembhoy]

Good toss to win for England. If they apply themselves a little bit more discerningly than in the last match I don't see why they shouldn't win.

That if is doing some heavy lifting

As Duckett nearly fell foul of not doing what you suggest.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

What would be a good score here? Pitch already turning a little bit already which bodes well for England bowling 2nd and 4th with 3 frontline spinners

 

[GIMH]

Watched the first half hour in bed, nice lively deck eh