*Official* Australia vs Pakistan in England

[Avada Kedavra]

Salman should have taken the extra half hour.It was sunny....they might get overcast conditions tomorrow The game is still overwhelmingly in Pakistan's favour but 2 quick wickets will set the alarm bells ringing.Asif,Gul and Kaneria are absolute duds with the bat.Really hope Pak don't collapse again.

 

[Fusion]

So nervous...

Right there with you brother.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I never fully understood why Hughes was axed after all of two mediocre tests in England given what he had achieved in SA.

Think the mode of his dismissals was the key. Harmy had shown the way in the Loins game and he did look a bit like a guy who'd been worked out by the second test. Factor in the defeat in the 2nd test and it was an understandable decision IMHO.

I suppose also there was the perception that a similarly underperforming banker had been given a test too many in 2005 (Gillespie, obv) so the selectors were more inclined to be a bit trigger happy.

I can't remember a batting line-up from one of the major 8 nations as bad as this one in the last decade.

It's seriously ****. Australia will win, and I have just put some money on them.

Slightly outside your time frame, but our line up v NZ in the 4th test of 99 was a bit special. Maddy opening, Irani & Caddick () at #7 & #8 and no fewer than 3 confirmed #11s in Mullally, Tufnell & Giddens.

Anyway, been a great test match. How much better are sporting decks? Flat tracks can do one. There's runs for batsmen if they graft and a bit of help for seamers and spinners. Been a top advert for tests IMHO.

 

[slowfinger]

All the Pak's were scared **** when we started the game, chillaxe man we got this

 

[Stapel]

I've been thinking about it, and even regarding this is never-ever-give-up-Aus vs we-can-screw-up-everything-Pak, I seriously cannot see the Pakis fail from here.

 

[howardj]

Australia need to punt Hussey and North, as they should have last Summer.

However, given that we're touring India, Hussey might be retained for his experience.

vs India

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Watson
Hussey
Haddin
Smith
Johnson
Hauritz
Hilfenhorse

 

[Nate]

Would take

Hughes
Watson
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Smith
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

myself.

 

[Jarquis]

Hilf would bat ahead of Polling wouldn't he? /annoyingpedant

 

[Nate]

Ind33d.

 

[morgieb]

I'd go...
Katich
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

Mind, it does seem a bit conservative.

 

[Pothas]

Anyway, been a great test match. How much better are sporting decks? Flat tracks can do one. There's runs for batsmen if they graft and a bit of help for seamers and spinners. Been a top advert for tests IMHO.

Yeah have really enjoyed what I have seen of this test.

I really hope Pakistan play over here on a regular basis, it is of course not ideal for them but they could enjoy some success with that bowling attack if the batting can improve somewhat.

I think it is fairly obvious that Australia are a better side than we have seen in these two tests. They do face some serious problems but I still think they are fundamentally a strong side, at least in home conditions and still expect them to take the ashes.

It is going to be really interesting to see Pakistan play England now. You have got to expect Asif and Aamer to cause problems again. I really think Cook and very possibly Strauss are going to struggle big time against the new ball.

On the other hand Broad, Anderson and Finn (assume that will be the lineup) can be expected to bowl an awful lot better than Australia’s leading three.

Going to be an interesting series.

 

[Sir Alex]

Only Dougeh looks any likely to give Indians jitters in that lineup. Hilfenhaus might be useful in the first half hour of the day. Mitchell would be horrendous as he was last time around, and the spinners meat and drink for the Indian belly. I say bring back Tait as his express pace might trouble them.

 

[Sir Alex]

It indeed has been a memorable series. Thanks ICC and English Board for cooperating with the two boards in getting this series played. I would prefer test in England to some batathons in some desert country.

 

[Pothas]

Only Dougeh looks any likely to give Indians jitters in that lineup. Hilfenhaus might be useful in the first half hour of the day. Mitchell would be horrendous as he was last time around, and the spinners meat and drink for the Indian belly. I say bring back Tait as his express pace might trouble them.

The bowlers are likely to struggle in India no doubt but India's bowling looks sufficently toothless that they might be able to square the series.

At home though the attack is strong enough to win the majority of tests.

 

[andyc]

I really don't have an honest answer for that NUFAN. I am merely saying rushing a 21 yr old with 14 FC matches is definitely not the solution.

Strange that we haven't seen a similar outcry from you over Mithun's selection for India, despite him actually being a year younger than Smith. In fact, here you seemed pretty supportive of him.

 

[Nate]

Only Dougeh looks any likely to give Indians jitters in that lineup. Hilfenhaus might be useful in the first half hour of the day. Mitchell would be horrendous as he was last time around, and the spinners meat and drink for the Indian belly. I say bring back Tait as his express pace might trouble them.

Haha, Tait playing Tests in India would be a complete and utter disaster. Not just for the first few hours before he would inevitably break down, but also for his cricketing career.

 

[Noble One]

Taking Tait to India? That would almost be the worst selection decision in Australia's long history of poor selection decisions.

I would feel so sorry for the amount of over’s Bollinger, Johnson and co would have to bowl.

 

[NUFAN]

Does anyone if Peter Siddle is fit again? I really rate the guy and think the pace attack looks better with him in it. I know he didn't have a very good Ashes Series last time.

 

[Nate]

He is most definitely fit and has been training with Victoria.

 

[NUFAN]

He is most definitely fit and has been training with Victoria.

Awesome, take him to India instead of Mitchell Johnson IMO.