***Official*** England in Pakistan

[ClownSymonds]

If England do lose this match and its a 2-0 result. One thinks they can think their lucky stars it wasn't a 3-0 whitewash considering that badlight likely saved them in the 2nd test draw

Or maybe it'll be another draw with Yousuf and Kamran batting 'til the end and both scoring triples.

 

[marc71178]

On the plus side, I got a sleigh in the first door of my advent calendar.

Ooh, forgot it was 1st December - Better do my usual!

I got Bart

 

[marc71178]

England have given up. They've resorted to cheating. Belly in to bowl.

And how exactly is that cheating?

 

[Nate]

Beautiful partnership this. I was really doubting Yousuf`s ability of late, but this has been special.

 

[marc71178]

Are you referring to the ashes win with the above comment Marc??

No, the 1 innings in this match.

 

[Zinzan]

I was just looking at the series stats to date.....Can anyone explain why Kaneria who had such a good first test is averaging nearly 50 with the ball in the series so far. Poor bowling or just not turning tracks ?? I was suprised with his lack of success to date

 

[Neil Pickup]

I was just looking at the series stats to date.....Can anyone explain why Kaneria who had such a good first test is averaging nearly 50 with the ball in the series so far. Poor bowling or just not turning tracks ?? I was suprised with his lack of success to date

Both.

 

[social]

Cant believe that Botham is prattling on about this being a "test too far" for England and that they need a holiday because theyre obviously tired.

I wonder what the 2 and a bit months they had off after the Ashes was.

As far as excuses go, this ranks with the worst Ive heard.

 

[wpdavid]

I'm actually thinking of four other words which I think compliments your two pretty well: Shaun Udal, England bowler.

I know, but it was the batting that got us into this mess.

No doubt we'll be told that one bad series doesn't make us a bad team over night, and our approach was good enough in beat SA & Aus, but anyone who's actually been watching the cricket rather than the just enjoyed the final results will know that this has been on the cards for some time.

 

[ClownSymonds]

And how exactly is that cheating?

I was referring back to Bell's "catch" in the last Test.

 

[ClownSymonds]

I know, but it was the batting that got us into this mess.

No doubt we'll be told that one bad series doesn't make us a bad team over night, and our approach was good enough in beat SA & Aus, but anyone who's actually been watching the cricket rather than the just enjoyed the final results will know that this has been on the cards for some time.

Yeah, what's happened here is that England's luck has finally deserted them, at least in this last Test. They're getting a taste of their own medicine, with Yousuf going on to dominate them after putting him down on 16.

 

[Zinzan]

Cant believe that Botham is prattling on about this being a "test too far" for England and that they need a holiday because theyre obviously tired.

I wonder what the 2 and a bit months they had off after the Ashes was.

As far as excuses go, this ranks with the worst Ive heard.

Great player Botham...but I agree..... pathetic poor loser comments there. Can't remember him saying that it was "a test too many" for australa in the ashes after they had played virtually all year....funny that

 

[Neil Pickup]

Great player Botham...but I agree..... pathetic poor loser comments there. Can't remember him saying that it was "a test too many" for australa in the ashes after they had played virtually all year....funny that

Botham is full of more hot air than that kettle the smiley-wavey-groundsman guy carries round the pitch every morning.

 

[ClownSymonds]

Great player Botham...but I agree..... pathetic poor loser comments there. Can't remember him saying that it was "a test too many" for australa in the ashes after they had played virtually all year....funny that

Just like how he was talking about Pakistan needing grassy pitches before tea after earlier talking about how he and everyone else would hate to see pitches that are hard to bat on.

 

[social]

I know, but it was the batting that got us into this mess.

No doubt we'll be told that one bad series doesn't make us a bad team over night, and our approach was good enough in beat SA & Aus, but anyone who's actually been watching the cricket rather than the just enjoyed the final results will know that this has been on the cards for some time.

The batting has been pretty mixed all series but, in all likelihood, this match would have had an entirely different complexion had Freddie not spilt what wasnt an overly difficult catch.

 

[a10khan]

What are you whining about? There was nothing derogatory or otherwise in that.

I dont need to whine abt nething clown. "Sheikh" dint need to be use. Certainly if Inzy scored a 100 u wouldnt have said Sheikh Inzamam, would u? Its quite obvious to me y that word was use for yousuf.

 

[marc71178]

I was referring back to Bell's "catch" in the last Test.

So how is it cheating to bowl him?

 

[social]

I dont need to whine abt nething clown. "Sheikh" dint need to be use. Certainly if Inzy scored a 100 u wouldnt have said Sheikh Inzamam, would u? Its quite obvious to me y that word was use for yousuf.

Or maybe youre just assuming something that wasnt implied at all.

Probably best if we all moved on.

 

[shaka]

400 up now

 

[wpdavid]

The batting has been pretty mixed all series but, in all likelihood, this match would have had an entirely different complexion had Freddie not spilt what wasnt an overly difficult catch.

It would, but I guess Fred's entitled to a bit of grace there. He doesn't drop many, tbh. My moan with the batting is that there deosn't seem to have been any thought about how to approach it beyond " we got away with being undercooked in SA and batting positively worked against Aus". Truth is we got away with it in SA primarily because they aren't nearly as good as they were, and they helped matters by picking 3 or 4 duds for the 1st test. Against Aus, we got away with it because they were kind enough to take wickets with noballs & drop rather a lot of catches.

That isn't to say there haven't been numerous aspects to the side over the last few years, and only a fool would say otherwise. But we just seem to have assumed we can go out and bat as we want In Pakistan without thinking about the conditions and showing their bowlers a bit of respect.