***Official*** Pakistan and England in UAE

[Furball]

I don't rate Morgan at all but I'm a bit sceptical that Bopara would be a better bet and he's the only other batsman on tour. Needs more Taylor.

Bopara is probably better but also not good enough.

 

[Uppercut]

Reminds me of this match.

 

[Fusion]

This is unreal. What a great performance by Pakistan. So mighty proud!

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

New Zealand away 2007/08.

You've also missed out the 2005 Ashes.

Heh post fail.. 2am here.. Only forgot about the greatest series in modern times nothing major :P

 

[Burgey]

Lol England.

 

[chicane]

The issue here is both teams can't get pwned at the same time.

 

[Prince EWS]

Bopara is probably better but also not good enough.

Yeah; inclined to agree tbh, and I think these conditions suit Morgan a little more than they would Bopara, which nullifies the difference.

It's not really going to improve the side much either way IMO unless Bopara is going to offer a little bit with the ball, which I doubt he would in these conditions (no more than Trott anyway).

 

[Jayzamann]

Good shout actually. Gratned, one of those was 294, but it's not a good sign in an opener.

Sorta in the same vein as having those 294 spread out to make a handful of effortless 50s with dopey dismissals. Similarly frustrating.

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

England are clearly deserving of the no. 1 ranking, but reckon they have some big problems AT THE MOMENT and simply hoping they go away in foreign conditions may not work

Strauss - really poor form for more than 2 years

Cook - 6 of his last 8 test innings have been 12 or less

Bell - England's best but what hope if he cant pick Ajmal

Morgan - less talented version of Hughes

Tremlett - massively under-done and probably not suited by conditions anyway

So what is the solution?

Retain the same bunch and pray that this test is an anomoly or replace at least Morgan/Tremlett?

$10 says an unchanged XI for 2nd Test. Same XI who got us in the hole will get us out TM. Unless they do the other trick of dropping a bowler (Tremlett) for 2 batting collapses

 

[Spark]

Sorta in the same vein as having those 294 spread out to make a handful of effortless 50s with dopey dismissals. Similarly frustrating.

As an opener the former is far worse though because it means that on the vast majority of occasions you're exposing other bats to the new ball early on.

 

[Prince EWS]

As an opener the former is far worse though because it means that on the vast majority of occasions you're exposing other bats to the new ball early on.

Spikey to disagree.

 

[Spark]

$10 says an unchanged XI for 2nd Test. Same XI who got us in the hole will get us out TM. Unless they do the other trick of dropping a bowler (Tremlett) for 2 batting collapses

As they should. One Test does not override a year of excellence.

 

[Faisal1985]

This is unreal. What a great performance by Pakistan. So mighty proud!

That was total destruction...Mighty Proud is correct....

 

[Pothas]

Bopara is probably better but also not good enough.

Yeah I'm never going to really approve of Bopara coming into the side, very little to choose between the two, both could make runs next test but you fancy they would be easy ones,it almost makes me miss Collingwood.

 

[Jayzamann]

As an opener the former is far worse though because it means that on the vast majority of occasions you're exposing other bats to the new ball early on.

At least in Ali's case you've got Trott the run machine picking up where you left off. At least in the period we're referring to. Not really excusing him but there have been other openers around the world that have created more animosity in recent times.

 

[social]

The other thing going against Eng is the attitude of the groundsmen as in the series vs SL, the guy in Abu Dhabi was very open about being receptive to instructions from Pakistan as "they are the home team."

If that is still the case, 2 roads and this series could be done and dusted already

 

[wpdavid]

England are clearly deserving of the no. 1 ranking, but reckon they have some big problems AT THE MOMENT and simply hoping they go away in foreign conditions may not work

Strauss - really poor form for more than 2 years

Cook - 6 of his last 8 test innings have been 12 or less

Bell - England's best but what hope if he cant pick Ajmal

Morgan - less talented version of Hughes

Tremlett - massively under-done and probably not suited by conditions anyway

So what is the solution?

Retain the same bunch and pray that this test is an anomoly or replace at least Morgan/Tremlett?

Tremlett's the likeliest change for the 2nd test - picking him with iffy fitness was simply unacceptable in these conditions. Whether Bopara comes in as well may depend on who replaces Tremlett. If it's Finn, the Morgan probably stays. If it's Panesar, they may want another seam option.

Quite awful though, losing in 3 days on an absolute road. Anyone from the English camp denying complacency is either an idiot or a liar. They clearly have not prepared at all for Ajmal, and it's cost them the match. Astonishing stupidity, especially given their approach over the last few years.

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

As they should. One Test does not override a year of excellence.

Yes but but.... different conditions.... and Monty. If he doesn't play even in the subcontinent he must have been brought along as team mascot / BCCI sleeper agent

 

[social]

At least in Ali's case you've got Trott the run machine picking up where you left off. At least in the period we're referring to. Not really excusing him but there have been other openers around the world that have created more animosity in recent times.

IMO, Trott is due for an extended run of average form in tests

Guy has scored 11,000 run @ 44 in fc cricket which indicates that he has over-achieved massived in the relatively small number of tests that he has played to date

 

[wpdavid]

Yes but but.... different conditions.... and Monty. If he doesn't play even in the subcontinent he must have been brought along as team mascot / BCCI sleeper agent

Or as cover if Swann gets sick or injured.