*Official* Pakistan in Australia

[Black_Warrior]

You are way off the mark here, Ponting has been exceptional in bringing this group of bowlers together. Everyone is fully aware of the amazing work Ponting has done to instill a sense of pride and confidence in to this Australian team. Justin Langer interviewed about his appointment to the Australian coaching staff gave a good account of the work Ponting has done and the feeling within the team. Its not just him, ABC commentators remarked that Ponting is held in higher regard by the players than Waugh or Taylor achieved. I think you have way underestimated Ponting and probably havent got the full picture of the Australian team.

Look this is something that can only be argued until a certain point and then no further as there are no real facts and figures we can deal with. "Official" statements from coaches and players mean nothing to me because I know how diplomatic everyone has to be. Ponting and Warne couldnt stop praising this Pakistani team on the eve of this test match.. Ponting even hailed this as one of his best teams, despite winning with this side against a much superior South African team.

Its called diplomacy.

My assessment of Ponting's captaincy is not based on diplomatic statements made my players and coaches but rather based on what I have seen happening on the field. His alteration with Brett Lee on the field is well known. I have heard both Tony Greig and maybe Chappell say that Ponting relies on bowlers who have most recently performed for him. Often young bowlers, just making it to the team need a little bit more support from their captain.. Often strike bowlers coming back after injury need more support.

Anyway..regardless..this is something really trivial that has been devoted way too much time. I doubt I will be able to change your assessment neither will you change mine. Lets agree to disagree. I have great regard for his cricketing brain and intelligence and field placings and I think thats something we can agree on

 

[Black_Warrior]

With India and WI they had poor preparation so that made sense.

But Pakistan have come from 3 tests in NZ and had a practice game.

I'm sure Pakistan will put in a better performance in Sydney, but there was no reason for them to be so **** in Melbourne... particularly with the batting.

Pakistan might improve in the second test match. They were 72 all out in the first test match in 2004 then managed 340 in the second test.

But the key is very simple. I have been saying this since the New Zealand series. There is no point lamenting over how pathetic the openers were, not being able to give them a start, how pathetic Faisal Iqbal is. We all know that and thats not going to change. What has to change is Mohammad Yousuf's batting because we know he is capable of that. What changed for West Indies was two centuries from Gayle in the next two test matches..
Can Yousuf provide us with this kind of leadership? Till now, he hasnt been able to show much fight or strength of character as a captain nor as a player..but I am hopeful and whats life without hope. He has to step up..and score big hundreds..no two ways about it.Its shameful that he being Pakistan's best batsman averages 30 against Australia. He needs to correct that, and since he is hailed by many as one of the top 5 batsmen in the world, he should bat like one.

 

[Matt79]

Wow, so one blow up on field with a guy he played with for 8 years equals not being supportive? It's total crap he doesn't support new bowlers. The way that Hauritz has blossomed under his leadership speaks volumes about his ability to instil confidence in young players finding their way. Not really a bowler, but it was Ponting's faith and leadership that helped Symonds achieve what success he did.

Did he display a lack of faith in Johnson at any stage over the last couple of years? Even in the Ashes when most of us here were calling for Johnson to be dropped for Clark, he kept faith with the guy.

 

[Uppercut]

It's very interesting how many teams do better starting from their second Test in Australia. We saw that with India last year, then with West Indies too. Especially for teams like India who may have players not used to the conditions, playing two to three three days games should be an absolute must. Obviously, there is no way BCCI would waste two weeks on making no money, but it would make for so much more entralling contests. Other teams who have a hard time in the subcontinent should also request the same, if possible. Maybe instead of playing a FC team, they can play the 'A' team, which might give the visitors a higher standard of opposition, and would help the 'A' team players a chance to show what they can do against international players.

With India and WI they had poor preparation so that made sense.

But Pakistan have come from 3 tests in NZ and had a practice game.

I'm sure Pakistan will put in a better performance in Sydney, but there was no reason for them to be so **** in Melbourne... particularly with the batting.

It's not just in Australia, it's against Australia. They generally start every series strongly whether it's in Australia, England, India, the West Indies or South Africa.

 

[Jono]

That's just a matter of being good.

Mind you, if its a matter of starting strong and not ending up winning the series (like in India and England) I'd rather win the series.

Can't see Pakistan winning or drawing this series obviously, but still. Let's wait till the series is finished.

 

[Uppercut]

That's just a matter of being good.

Mind you, if its a matter of starting strong and not ending up winning the series (like in India and England) I'd rather win the series.

Can't see Pakistan winning or drawing this series obviously, but still. Let's wait till the series is finished.

Yeah, they often fail to keep it up for the whole series. The fact that they start every series strong both home and away leads me to believe that touring sides adjusting to Aussie conditions doesn't have much to do with it though. Whatever Australia do to prepare for a test series, it works a lot better than what any other teams do.

 

[pasag]

Very harsh to kick out Rauf from the squad! Certainly doesn't deserve to play in the next match, but he might be needed in the third match if someone goes down.

 

[Jono]

Haha I find it funny. To be honest he doesn't exactly offer much

For a man with such long legs, he's a disappointing player.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Amazing how much he looked like Asif when at the game.

 

[Jono]

Haha yeah I made that mistake as well.

 

[Jayzamann]

Think Asif's hair is more naturally straight. :P

 

[Top_Cat]

All the talk in the press about how Rana and Afridi are available for Pakistan if needed, has there been any indication they'd actually consider them? Don't think they will, myself.

For me, they should come into calculations purely because they're both showing some form at least. Fitting both in the side would be tough, especially if you want a specialist spinner in as well. Aamer/Asif/Rana/Daneria or Ajmal is a reasonable attack and Rana would alleviate the bunniness of the tail a bit.

Mind you, it's the batting which is by far the biggest problem, of course.

 

[Noble One]

It will be interesting to see how much spin the SCG wicket takes. An article in the newspaper yesterday quoted the SCG curator Tom Parker suggesting the pitch won't even show signs of turn until late in the game.

I havn't seen any of the games at the SCG this season, but the two first class games played produced pretty average figures for the spin bowlers. A couple of quick calculations show the spinners have taken 22 wickets at 42.95 at an economy rate of 3.49. Although this is hardly suprising considering the quality of spin bowling on display in Australian domestic cricket.

 

[NUFAN]

Haha yeah was it Steve Smith and who else? Surprised the average is only 42 actually.

Why isn't this Test match on today? Seems like the perfect day to start the match.

 

[Jono]

It used to start on the 2nd.

 

[NUFAN]

Yeah I know and with today being Saturday you would think the crowds and TV audiences would be huge.

I'm just having a winge cause I'm back at work on Monday and spending all day tomorrow at the Tennis.

 

[Fusion]

Yeah I know and with today being Saturday you would think the crowds and TV audiences would be huge.

I'm just having a winge cause I'm back at work on Monday and spending all day tomorrow at the Tennis.

I was actually going to post the same thing! Seems very strange to me that the match is not starting today. Is it tradition to start on Jan 3rd or something? If so, it might be time to rethink that. It doesn't seem wise to me to give up on prime weekend days just to start on an arbitary date.

 

[Jono]

Only last year it began being a 3 Jan test.

Otherwise in 2007/08 it was 2 Jan, as it was in 2006/07 and 2005/06 etc.

Not sure why they changed it last year, but its lame. The best bit about New Year's day was knowing there was a test starting the next day. Just like knowing on Christmas Day there's a test starting the next day too!

 

[GotSpin]

Looking forward to tomorrow. Just bought my tickets.

 

[andyc]

FFS, got up this morning expecting cricket to be on. Lame.