***Official*** England in Pakistan

[Jono]

Big Gilo getting a few. Plunkett too.

 

[howardj]

Why didn't England insist on playing the ODI's first? Australia, to acclimatise, have insisted that they do so for as long as I can remember.

 

[luckyeddie]

Why didn't England insist on playing the ODI's first? Australia, to acclimatise, have insisted that they do so for as long as I can remember.

There are those who will maintain that was one of the reasons for losing the Ashes this year - not enough 'proper' cricket before the test matches.

 

[howardj]

There are those who will maintain that was one of the reasons for losing the Ashes this year - not enough 'proper' cricket before the test matches.

Equally, there are those who maintain, quite cruely, that we didnt play enough proper cricket during the Test Matches.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Cruel, but correct.

 

[luckyeddie]

Equally, there are those who maintain, quite cruely, that we didnt play enough proper cricket during the Test Matches.

I have nothing to add that can possibly make that statement

a) any more true
b) funnier

Well done.

 

[simmy]

There are those who will maintain that was one of the reasons for losing the Ashes this year - not enough 'proper' cricket before the test matches.

Rubbish... they were just not good enough. Come the test series they were all in good nick (apart from Gillespie and Kasper)... I'm glad that you are talking sense though Eddie!

Hopefully England will start playing some proper cricket. Plunkett for test place!

 

[simmy]

I thought that Yasir Arafat was dead!!!

 

[luckyeddie]

I'm glad that you are talking sense though Eddie!

How can anyone tell?

 

[aussie]

Probably, Collingwood would give England 4 80mph+ bowlers so they'd probably pick Udal. I definitely think we'll see 3 Durham players in the ODIs tho.

yea Plunkett should be playing in the ODI's for sure now that Tremlett is out, the few times i saw him on in the season just gone he seemed pretty capable with the bat..., but i wonder why Loundon wasn't picked in the ODI side?

 

[Barney Rubble]

but i wonder why Loundon wasn't picked in the ODI side?

What's to say he'll be picked in any England side? At any point? They only brought him on the Test tour for experience, and he's pretty crap in OD cricket, so there would have been very little sense in picking him for the OD squad (which I'm assuming is what you meant, seeing as there's no reason why he'd go straight into the final XII). He's just there so they can see what he can do - if he plays a Test I'll be very surprised, especially seeing as he only bowled four overs in the first warm-up.

 

[howardj]

Just on the England attack, you'd think Udal and Giles would both be picked, so that leaves Harmison, Hoggard, Anderson and Plunkett to fight it out for the two remaining spots. After Plunkett and Anderson performed so well in the tour game, is it out of order to suggest that Hoggard (who was wicketless in this match) is under a little pressure? I guess he'd have the inside running after the Ashes, though.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Just on the England attack, you'd think Udal and Giles would both be picked, so that leaves Harmison, Hoggard, Anderson and Plunkett to fight it out for the two remaining spots. After Plunkett and Anderson performed so well in the tour game, is it out of order to suggest that Hoggard (who was wicketless in this match) is under a little pressure? I guess he'd have the inside running after the Ashes, though.

I wouldn't say Anderson performed so well - 3-67 on that pitch isn't anything exceptional (below par if anything). Hoggard supposedly bowled well in the second innings, and he'll have been penned in to the Test side for weeks.

 

[luckyeddie]

Just on the England attack, you'd think Udal and Giles would both be picked, so that leaves Harmison, Hoggard, Anderson and Plunkett to fight it out for the two remaining spots. After Plunkett and Anderson performed so well in the tour game, is it out of order to suggest that Hoggard (who was wicketless in this match) is under a little pressure? I guess he'd have the inside running after the Ashes, though.

I would respectfully suggest that Hoggard is under no pressure whatsoever - at least until after the first test and probably not even then, for the reason you stated.

Anderson is probably there as fourth seamer only if they decide just to play one twirly, and Plunkett just 'for the experience'. I should not be surprised if he gets an ODI or two, but it would need a serious problem to hit a couple of seamers for him to be considered for a test.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Great news for Gil-o to be in the wickets and good to see Trescothick on relatively good form, it's under-rated IMO how much his form dictates England's fortunes as he more than anyone sets the tone at the top of the order.

Relatively good form? Jeez, you're a hard task master! 162 undefeated runs out of our 368 for the match. Can't wait to see Banger really hit his straps then!

Don't think we can really read too much into form, from what I've read & heard Rawalpindi served us up something not unlike the green, green grass of home. Fully expect 1st test to be slow & dusty...

Think Plunkers may just have eased ahead of Jimmy if we persue the 4th seamer option, but I'd be surprised not to see Udal in harness come the test. Bell & Colly is the other shout & I reckon Colly may just be winning there too. 0 & 34 hardly screams "pick me" usually, but the latter score was timely.

 

[PY]

Relatively good form? Jeez, you're a hard task master! 162 undefeated runs out of our 368 for the match. Can't wait to see Banger really hit his straps then!

He'd probably break them if he hit them.

I was trying to sound objective because I didn't want to get accused of going over-board as all us English folk are so well known for.

Wasn't really a form issue I guess, more of a confidence thing (are they the same thing?) that they are seeing/bowling the ball quite well.

 

[Hanuma]

so then...what are your starting XI's for the tests atm?

 

[Barney Rubble]

so then...what are your starting XI's for the tests atm?

Alright hanny, nice to see you back on here.

Mine would be:

Tresco
Strauss
Vaughan
Bell (just)
KP
Fred
GoJo
Gilo
Udal/Plunkett (depending on the pitch)
Hoggy
Harmy

Plunk's shown he's got a bit of something about him with a good performance in this warm-up - personally I'd now chuck him in instead of Anderson, who hasn't shown much so far, and is a complete bunny, especially in comparison to Plunk's batting which is decent for a no9.

 

[nick-o]

Alright hanny, nice to see you back on here.

Mine would be:

Tresco
Strauss
Vaughan
Bell (just)
KP
Fred
GoJo
Gilo
Udal/Plunkett (depending on the pitch)
Hoggy
Harmy

Plunk's shown he's got a bit of something about him with a good performance in this warm-up - personally I'd now chuck him in instead of Anderson, who hasn't shown much so far, and is a complete bunny, especially in comparison to Plunk's batting which is decent for a no9.

I suspect Anderson will be ahead of Plunk-o in the pecking order, but otherwise that lineup looks about right for the first test.

I think Bell-ow has to perform in the first test, or else his place is in doubt.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Bell's gone I think. Nailed twice at Rawalpindi in the same tentative manner... get to the Academy and get your head fixed, Ian, cos right now you're batting like me.