***Official*** Pakistan in England

[simmy]

Bell is really impressing me. Looked a hell of a lot more comfortable than KP did getting to 60 odd.

Should get another 100 tomorrow and see England to a big total.

Game is already out of Pakistan's reach.

 

[tooextracool]

I think at this stage id pick Bell over KP, given that KP seems incapable of playing a chanceless innings, and sooner or later his luck has to run out. As far as the pitch is concerned, i think theres enough in it with the new ball for Harmison and Hoggard to get at least a few early wickets, but its a pity that jon Lewis isnt playing ahead of Mahmood on this wicket.

 

[wpdavid]

Bell is really impressing me. Looked a hell of a lot more comfortable than KP did getting to 60 odd.

Should get another 100 tomorrow and see England to a big total.

Game is already out of Pakistan's reach.

Agreed about Bell, who once again looks our best middle order batsman.
Not sure about the game being out of Pakistan's reach though. A couple of quick wickets with the new ball tomorrow and we could easily be skittled for well under 400, which would be game on, I reckon.

 

[UncleTheOne]

Bell has looked very good but we should also take into account the quality of the bowling so far. And on KP's luck, well we can't really complain, he's had a pretty impressive test run so far, long may it and the luck continue. Fortune favours the brave after all.

 

[grecian]

Bell has been the batsmen of the series for England, Cook, Kp, Straus have all had more then their fair share of luck, but Bells been monumental, he'd even have a better record if his captain hadn't run him out.

I really hope Sami gets a lot of overs tomorrow before lunch, should mean we'll be pushing onto 500

 

[simmy]

Bell has been the batsmen of the series for England, Cook, Kp, Straus have all had more then their fair share of luck, but Bells been monumental, he'd even have a better record if his captain hadn't run him out.

I really hope Sami gets a lot of overs tomorrow before lunch, should mean we'll be pushing onto 500

Sami is a disgrace.

Meant to be the senior bowler. Embarassment.

 

[Goughy]

Not sure about the game being out of Pakistan's reach though. A couple of quick wickets with the new ball tomorrow and we could easily be skittled for well under 400, which would be game on, I reckon.

I agree. Thats what makes Test cricket great. England have had a good day today but a few early breakthroughs tomorrow and a good opening partnership for Pakistan and its game on.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I agree. Thats what makes Test cricket great. England have had a good day today but a few early breakthroughs tomorrow and a good opening partnership for Pakistan and its game on.

Yea but the odds of that lot happening are what... 25-1?

Pakistan's openers are rubbish, their opening bowling is rubbish and pitching the ball up is a completely alien concept to most of them going from today's effort. I think Hoggard's crappy record at Headingley will look a lot better in 2-3 days.

 

[no1_gangsta_786]

When Kevin Pietersen was asked about not walking after an inside edge, he defended his decision by saying "I got a decision in the first innings at Lord's where I was given out lbw to a ball which was going over the top of the stumps.

"That's life. I wasn't 100% sure I'd nicked it and I am not out there to give decisions. I am not sure I am the only batsman in the world that doesn't walk."

What does everyone think about Pietersen not walking?

 

[silentstriker]

When Kevin Pietersen was asked about not walking after an inside edge, he defended his decision by saying "I got a decision in the first innings at Lord's where I was given out lbw to a ball which was going over the top of the stumps.

"That's life. I wasn't 100% sure I'd nicked it and I am not out there to give decisions. I am not sure I am the only batsman in the world that doesn't walk."

What does everyone think about Pietersen not walking?

Exactly the same thing I think about when the fielding sides appeals for decisions that are clearly not out.

 

[Jono]

When Kevin Pietersen was asked about not walking after an inside edge, he defended his decision by saying "I got a decision in the first innings at Lord's where I was given out lbw to a ball which was going over the top of the stumps.

"That's life. I wasn't 100% sure I'd nicked it and I am not out there to give decisions. I am not sure I am the only batsman in the world that doesn't walk."

What does everyone think about Pietersen not walking?

Best point he made was he's not the only batsman in the world that doesn't walk, and he'd definitely be in the majority that don't. No real story here, just a silly question answered well by big KP.

 

[greg]

Yea but the odds of that lot happening are what... 25-1?

Pakistan's openers are rubbish, their opening bowling is rubbish and pitching the ball up is a completely alien concept to most of them going from today's effort. I think Hoggard's crappy record at Headingley will look a lot better in 2-3 days.

Pitching the ball up is, unfortunately, an alien concept to certain of England's bowlers as well though

 

[a10khan]

The archetypical KP ton, full of lives, some brilliant mesmerising shots and the old flare up 'injury'. That said he made me some cash this afternoon.

lol well said

the icc's elite at it again, now even an ear peice is not enough.

 

[a10khan]

Yea but the odds of that lot happening are what... 25-1?

Pakistan's openers are rubbish, their opening bowling is rubbish and pitching the ball up is a completely alien concept to most of them going from today's effort. I think Hoggard's crappy record at Headingley will look a lot better in 2-3 days.

All it takes is a couple quick wickets, and a couple batsmen to make big knocks and pak will be right in again. The pitch looks gd for batting as well. Over the last couple yrs, Pak have made a living out of comebacks. I dont think you have followed Pak cricket off late ..

 

[superkingdave]

Well it seems i pick my days pretty well, another good days test cricket.

Sun only really came out in the last hour but that was a bit of a relief to be honest. Was sat right at the back of the Western Terrace but the view was pretty good, the atmosphere wasn't up to Old Trafford's standards though and the bar queues were absolutely diabolical(thankfully i nipped for my round just before Lunch so i only missed the last 10 mins of the morning session and arrived back at my seat just as the players came back on)

Bell once again looked really good.

 

[TT Boy]

All it takes is a couple quick wickets, and a couple batsmen to make big knocks and pak will be right in again. The pitch looks gd for batting as well. Over the last couple yrs, Pak have made a living out of comebacks. I dont think you have followed Pak cricket off late ..

No, I think Pakistan are effectively been batted out of this game. Could have been so different, England 80-4, Bell and Collingwood in with added pressure. Realistic prospect of getting rolled out for less than 150 but with the total already nearing 400, with KP to comeback tomorrow you have to fancy England getting to the 500 mark.

 

[Scaly piscine]

All it takes is a couple quick wickets, and a couple batsmen to make big knocks and pak will be right in again. The pitch looks gd for batting as well. Over the last couple yrs, Pak have made a living out of comebacks. I dont think you have followed Pak cricket off late ..

I don't think you follow Headingley pitches. Pakistan have a good middle order... and that's about it really. Hoggard naturally bowls the right length for this pitch and GBH has his confidence up so those two will take some playing (there's very occasional uneven bounce which Harmison might find a bit more as well). Also Pakistan's bowling would make any pitch look good and I think there's plenty in it if you bowl well enough.

 

[pskov]

Pitching the ball up is, unfortunately, an alien concept to certain of England's bowlers as well though

Harmison took more wickets from pitched up balls than short balls at Old Trafford.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Harmison took more wickets from pitched up balls than short balls at Old Trafford.

Through the surprise factor, no doubt.

(no, I didn't watch.)

 

[aussie]

I think at this stage id pick Bell over KP, given that KP seems incapable of playing a chanceless innings, and sooner or later his luck has to run out.

come on tec, you can't be serious & you know thats not going to happen.