*OFFICIAL* England in Pakistan 2024

[GIMH]

Hope I’m wrong, but I feel like Brook is going to have one of his lean days here

 

[Burgey]

Root has reverted to mean of late after that purple patch, hasn't he? Whereas Duckett seems to be kicking on more consistently

 

[Pothas]

Joe Root not making runs just always feels catastrophic

 

[GIMH]

Root has reverted to mean of late after that purple patch, hasn't he? Whereas Duckett seems to be kicking on more consistently

It did make me laugh hearing one of the commentators say ‘another ordinary innings from Joe Root in this series’ two weeks after he hit a 260

 

[GIMH]

Joe Root not making runs just always feels catastrophic

I read the other day that he averages 90-odd in wins and 30 in defeats in a recent period. Not sure if all of Bazball or whatever. Doesn’t tell us anything about him per se but does show how much we rely on his runs to win.

 

[Spark]

Hope I’m wrong, but I feel like Brook is going to have one of his lean days here

Feels very much like these conditions cut hard against how he likes to play spin

EDIT: Almost got bowled just now backing away to one, which is absolutely not a thing you can do when the bounce is this low and slow

 

[BazBall21]

Brook and Stokes back foot-happy games v spin will be an issue here.

 

[greg]

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

Butcher (Mk 2)

 

[Spark]

Duckett really looks a class above the rest here

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

No need to panic, Pakistan are batting last on this pitch

 

[Spark]

Hahaha the thumbs up to Sajid's attempted death stare is class

 

[flibbertyjibber]

300 would be competitive on the evidence of this. Scoring is hard and the pitch is definitely taking turn, albeit glacially

Yeah, even 250 may depend on this pair. Can't see Stokes doing much.

 

[Spark]

Jesus that would be an absolutely criminal wicket to lose in the circumstances

Yeah, even 250 may depend on this pair. Can't see Stokes doing much.

Indeed so suicide seconds to get a milestone should be discouraged

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

I read the other day that he averages 90-odd in wins and 30 in defeats in a recent period. Not sure if all of Bazball or whatever. Doesn’t tell us anything about him per se but does show how much we rely on his runs to win.

Everyone seems to panic if Root gets out

 

[Burgey]

Wow, England have been pretty fortunate Pakistan are displaying Pakistan levels in the fielld here.

 

[GIMH]

That’s filthy on the first morning that

 

[Spark]

I mean... that's not really good to see before lunch on Day 1

 

[Spark]

Questions need asking here. That's just not something you can accept happening in the first session of a game

 

[BazBall21]

Well we can't bleat about the toss this time but that shouldn't happen in the first session of a test match.

 

[Burgey]

No need to panic, Pakistan are batting last on this pitch

They may not tbf.

Can't really fault Duckett for that. Just copped a grubber.