***Official*** Pakistan in England

[vic_orthdox]

Was watching the highlights the other day, and saw the most ridiculous shot in the world. Pietersen's leading edge, which went in front of square the boundary at a rate of knots, shows exactly how far batting technology has come

 

[SJS]

In all fairness he could/should have had 4 wickets today. I like Panesar, ok maybe he isn't the spinner we all would like to see but tough sh*t we don't have one in the mould of Warne etc. He's only played what 7 tests? give him time, if his bowling proves more usefull than Giles it's a step forward.

I thought he bowled rather well in the second innings. You dont always get wickets when you bowl well and getting wickets is not always a confirmation that you bowled well.

He should be given some more time. But clearly he will have to make way if Giles is available.

PS: Just a comment. Monty is too tense for a spinner. he needs to learn to relax.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Yes, Panesar was very good on the final day, particularly before tea. Most certainly worth his place in the side more than someone like Plunkett, who bowled about one good over for the whole test.

 

[FRAZ]

My comment on this series . Laziest , most boring and being played by the teams which are not at their 100 % at all . boring , Boring ...............................
England though seems lesser doppy and will some body shoot Sami , To be very honest with you give me 5 months and let me train ,put me in the team afterwards and trust me I will prove myself be a lot better than Sami . This guy really sucks now a days PERIOD
I have been crying out loud Australia is number 1 and others are just number two , doesn't matter what is the difference b/w their points (bar Windies ,Zims n Bangs).

 

[wpdavid]

Interesting debate, I was thinking the other day about them dropping Plunkett for Flintoff. I can see both sides of the argument, but so many people have suggested Fred at 7 in recent months that I'm kinda sold on the idea. Still, what do I know? I KNOW NOTHING. But I'd still take you home.

Er anyway, I'd pick

Tresco
Strauss
Cook
KP
Colly
Bell
Fred
Jones
Hoggard
GBH
Monty

Almost as the same as Goughy, but Jones at 8 would be fine, his keeping has been very good lately.

Pretty sound. Although I'd prefer to see Read, we both know that won't happen next test, so I'll settle for the above.

A couple of points about the 4-man attack.
With Bell, Colly & the reborn offie that is KP in the side, workload shouldn't be a problem as long as Fred uses his brain about how many overs he bowls.
I know the theory about how our 4 quicks gave us flexibility in different situations last summer, but in reality it meant Fred & Jones offering penetration with occasional support from Hoggard and even less from Harmison. By playing one less, it should force them to take a bit more responsibility which might mean less of the rubbish we saw with the new ball yesterday. I actually think Hoggard & Harmison have suffered from bowling too little in the past and that we'd see more consistent performances from them if they had to turn their arm no matter what conditions or their form might be.
Goughie's point about the batting is well made. We got away with it last summer because of Aus' generous helpings of noballs & dropped catches. We haven't got away with it since then (Multan, anyone?) and I reckon we'd be in big trouble in Aus.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Yes, Panesar was very good on the final day, particularly before tea. Most certainly worth his place in the side more than someone like Plunkett, who bowled about one good over for the whole test.

Hmm lets see... 2 wickets off 27 overs on a crumbling bunsen... brilliant. You'll also notice Plunkett took just as many wickets as Panesar in far fewer overs in the Test overall. So to summarise:

Plunkett's batting > Panesar's batting
Plunkett's fielding >>> Panesar's fielding
Plunkett's bowling > Panesar's bowling
Plunkett 3 years younger than Panesar

So obviously Panesar > Plunkett...

 

[silentstriker]

Hmm lets see... 2 wickets off 27 overs on a crumbling bunsen... brilliant. You'll also notice Plunkett took just as many wickets as Panesar in far fewer overs in the Test overall. So to summarise:

Plunkett's batting > Panesar's batting
Plunkett's fielding >>> Panesar's fielding
Plunkett's bowling > Panesar's bowling
Plunkett 3 years younger than Panesar

So obviously Panesar > Plunkett...

I don't think age is really a consideration for either of them .

 

[Pothas]

The problem with playing just 4 bowlers is clearly the workload that Flintoff is going to have to do. Just coming back from injury and having to play the main part of a 3 man seam atack does not seem wise to me.

 

[andyc]

I always admired the Aussies for selecting teams like in these 4 games. Only playing 3 bowlers

http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/WI_IN_AUS/WI_AUS_T4_25-28JAN1997.html

http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/AUS_IN_RSA/AUS_RSA_T1_28FEB-04MAR1997.html

http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/AUS_IN_RSA/AUS_RSA_T2_14-17MAR1997.html

http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1997-98/RSA_IN_AUS/RSA_AUS_T2_02-05JAN1998.html

England would be at a far bigger advantage in terms of a similar selection as Flintoff is far superior to Bevan as a bowler.

To be fair, that team has a lot of decent parttimers, with the Waugh twins, Bevan and Blewett, that master of reverse swing

 

[silentstriker]

The problem with playing just 4 bowlers is clearly the workload that Flintoff is going to have to do. Just coming back from injury and having to play the main part of a 3 man seam atack does not seem wise to me.

As someone else said, either he is fit or he is not. You can't treat him like a glass statue and only bring him out for the Ashes. Coddling someone is eventually going to backfire. If he's not used to a certain workload and all of a sudden he has to increase it in the Ashes, he's defiantly going to break down.

Either he's fit, or he's not. If England have to bowl 90 overs a day, and he is unable to bowl 20-25 overs that day (7-8 overs per session...)....then he shouldn't be picked, period.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Flintoff makes 4 off 8 in his return for Lancs... looks as though there's a bit in the pitch.

 

[wpdavid]

As someone else said, either he is fit or he is not. You can't treat him like a glass statue and only bring him out for the Ashes. Coddling someone is eventually going to backfire. If he's not used to a certain workload and all of a sudden he has to increase it in the Ashes, he's defiantly going to break down.

Either he's fit, or he's not. If England have to bowl 90 overs a day, and he is unable to bowl 20-25 overs that day (7-8 overs per session...)....then he shouldn't be picked, period.

Shouldn't be that many anyway, if we use our part-timers sensibly, or if, in the 2nd innings, the spinner's bolwing a lot from one end.

 

[Run like Inzy]

I have returned after a while. Finally Pakistan v England has kicked off, but Pakistan were pretty bad. Without Shoaib, Rana and Asif I fear the worst for Pakistan is yet too come.
Rao and Taufeeq the two additions to the squad are pretty useless in my view. Rao is just a medium pacer similar to Razzaq and Taufeeq an imitation of Farhat and Butt, another failing opener. Where are the PACE bowlers. What are Pakistans options and what about Yasir Arafat??!!

 

[silentstriker]

Shouldn't be that many anyway, if we use our part-timers sensibly, or if, in the 2nd innings, the spinner's bolwing a lot from one end.

Exactly, thats the MAXIMUM. If he can't do that, then he shouldn't play.

 

[TT Boy]

I have returned after a while. Finally Pakistan v England has kicked off, but Pakistan were pretty bad. Without Shoaib, Rana and Asif I fear the worst for Pakistan is yet too come.
Rao and Taufeeq the two additions to the squad are pretty useless in my view. Rao is just a medium pacer similar to Razzaq and Taufeeq an imitation of Farhat and Butt, another failing opener. Where are the PACE bowlers. What are Pakistans options and what about Yasir Arafat??!!

Yasir is currently playing for Sussex and has not done too badly so far. Got a five wicket haul and scored half century recently, also bowls with a fair lick but with Razzaq in the team I do not think or expect Pakistan will be looking at him any time soon. Considering Pakistan have always used him sparingly, usually with not much effect.

Surprised that Pakistan did not call up Yasir Hameed as a reserve opener. Firstly because his a right hander, secondly his a fine fielder and thirdly (and most importantly) his record opening the batting is not that shabby. One bad series in the West Indies and suddenly he was surplus to requirements when his record suggests he should still be considered as an integral part of the team.

 

[TT Boy]

To be fair, that team has a lot of decent parttimers, with the Waugh twins, Bevan and Blewett, that master of reverse swing

LOL, what a delivery.

 

[GIMH]

As someone else said, either he is fit or he is not. You can't treat him like a glass statue and only bring him out for the Ashes. Coddling someone is eventually going to backfire. If he's not used to a certain workload and all of a sudden he has to increase it in the Ashes, he's defiantly going to break down.
.

"I'm breaking down, whether you like it or not, try and stop me!"

 

[BoyBrumby]

"I'm breaking down, whether you like it or not, try and stop me!"

I really did laugh out loud at that!

 

[Scaly piscine]

Nice of Key to finally do his bit for England:

RWT Key b Flintoff 16

A Flintoff 1 0 4 1

 

[TT Boy]

Nice of Key to finally do his bit for England:

RWT Key b Flintoff 16

A Flintoff 1 0 4 1

Can Rob Key get out any other way?