***Official*** England in Pakistan

[ClownSymonds]

Bold statement - if Jones goes, then even getting the last 20 will be tough. England's tail will find it hard to stand up to Kaneria and the inevitable Shoaib barrage. For the record, by "tail" I mean Hoggard and Harmison, as Udal can (obviously) bat.

True. Jones needs to go first though. Or even Udal. The fact remains that Pakistan need a wicket, and quick.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Feels like Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and the Oval rolled into one - in particularly an inverse Edgbaston. There are going to be so many fewer old men watching cricket in this country next summer, never mind bird flu - cricket aneurysms are going to give the NHS so much to answer for...

 

[Beleg]

Where is SHOAIB????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

[ClownSymonds]

The primary pivotal points in the match, for me, were Trescothick's match-winning let-off when on 48 in the first innings and Hoggard's reverse-swinger with the new ball to get rid of Inzamam-ul-Haq in the second innings. Both of these things contributed to the inevitable result of a win for England.

 

[Sanz]

Where is SHOAIB????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Multan ??

 

[Neil Pickup]

The primary pivotal points in the match, for me, were Trescothick's match-winning let-off when on 48 in the first innings and Hoggard's reverse-swinger with the new ball to get rid of Inzamam-ul-Haq in the second innings. Both of these things contributed to the inevitable result of a win for England.

I wish I had your confidence! I'd also have used "straight ball" rather than "reverse swinger" regarding Inzy yesterday afternoon.

 

[Slow Love™]

I think England have this one. A wicket is needed immediately if Pakistan are to win.

The runs aren't exactly coming thick and fast. But things seem to be slipping away a tad, and England are looking a lot better now.

 

[Sanz]

The primary pivotal points in the match, for me, were Trescothick's match-winning let-off when on 48 in the first innings .

 

[ashes winners]

Where is SHOAIB????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

From an England point of view.WHO CARES

 

[luckyeddie]

The primary pivotal points in the match, for me, were Trescothick's match-winning let-off when on 48 in the first innings and Hoggard's reverse-swinger with the new ball to get rid of Inzamam-ul-Haq in the second innings. Both of these things contributed to the inevitable result of a win for England.

Good old causality.

Let's assume that Trescothick didn't receive that let-off, and he had gone for 48.

Why should the rest of the innings had followed the same course? It's like the guy who comes back from the football when his team's lost 1-0, saying 'we had two goals disallowed, therefore we should have won 2-1.

You are right to say that it was 'pivotal', equally you are right not to deduct 145 runs from England's first innings total.

As I ramble on, Shoaib back into the attack - could be another pivotal moment.

 

[Zinzan]

34 required 3 wickets left....From a totally neutral point of view....I still say 50/50...If pakistan can break this partnership with 15 runs required I favour them

 

[ashes winners]

I have to say i am nervous now because the win is getting close.Before i was relaxed and was just annoyed they had thrown away the game.

 

[wpdavid]

Well if Pak do manage to wrap this up it sets up the series excellently, and only four days till the next Test.

If Pakistan do go to win this, they can win the series 3-0. Given how hopeless we've been against Kaneria in this innings, surely Afridi will come in for the other tests.

Having used some quite inexcusable language at about 6.15 when I woke up to a score of 102 for 6, I'm trying to be a bit more sanguine about things now, whatever the result. No excuses, Pakistan will deserve every credit if they win, but we're now paying the price for losing 3 very experienced middle order batsmen in the space of 12 months. Especially now Vaughan's injured as well. Historically, the guys who've batted well for us in the subcontinent have mostly been pretty experienced cricketers. Even Strauss hasn't played that many tests, and it's easy to forget how developmental this side still is.

 

[Jono]

Shoaibbbbbbbbbbbb!

 

[ashes winners]

Game over.We won't get these runs now.

 

[Beleg]

Multan ??

Apparantly...

City of saints and madmen, It is said...

 

[Sanz]

There goes Jones..Shoaib Strikes

 

[Barney Rubble]

Jones gone! Crucial wicket, Pakistan right back in the driving seat now. However, this brings to the crease The Mighty Hoggard, Slayer of Brett Lee Full-Tosses - he's done it all before.

 

[luckyeddie]

I have to say i am nervous now because the win is getting close.Before i was relaxed and was just annoyed they had thrown away the game.

You can relax agin now then

 

[ClownSymonds]

Yeah, so England may have done just as well had Trescothick not gone. Probably not though. And the Hoggard ball - it seemed to swing in rather than to just go straight on. Judging from the position of the seam, the result was completely unintended. Anyway, I think it's safe to say that England are a very lucky team. At the same time, Shoaib just bowled Jones. Well then...