***Official*** Pakistan in England

[Gloucefan]

Only rain can prevent one of these teams from winning it. I just think England could have a big battle on their hands if they're the ones to win it. One thing is for sure, this bowling attack will not retain the Ashes. For that matter, this bowling attack plus Flintoff will not retain the Ashes.

So you're really just saying England won't win this without Simon Jones?


It was that bowling attack + Jones that won it...

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

So you're really just saying England won't win this without Simon Jones?


It was that bowling attack + Jones that won it...

I'm saying that Mahmood is not the answer to Simon Jones. It can't be taken for granted that Monty Panesar is the answer to Ashley Giles for that matter.

England need to sort their priorities out. Are they willing to conceed the Ashes to help shape a bowler/bowlers who won't be good for a while yet, but could possibly be good in the future? Or is the Ashes more important than that? I'm thinking "no" to the first and "yes" to the second. In that case, surely there are better "right now" bowlers in England than Sajid Mahmood and Liam Plunkett.

 

[stumpski]

Well many would say Jon Lewis, but England aren't exactly spoiled for choice for quicks, simply because so many counties are not using English bowlers to open the bowling. A lot of people are now tipping Stuart Broad to go to Australia; I have my doubts. I think it's maybe two years too soon for him.

 

[pskov]

James Anderson is quickly forgotten, he was man of the match in the last test he played. He is on track to play the last month or so of the county season and if he goes over to play grade cricket in Aus before the Ashes to prove his fitness I would select him in the Test team without any reservations.

 

[Goughy]

I make Pak favs. Should be an interesting 1st session tomorrow.

I've organized my meetings for early morning and I plan to sit in bed and watch the whole thing without moving. Should be a great days cricket.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

James Anderson is quickly forgotten, he was man of the match in the last test he played. He is on track to play the last month or so of the county season and if he goes over to play grade cricket in Aus before the Ashes to prove his fitness I would select him in the Test team without any reservations.

Especially when you see how bad Plunkett and Mahmood have played in his place.

Hoggard / Harmy / Flintoff / Anderson / Panesar is a very good lineup for the Ashes.

Lets just hope they are all fit!

 

[silentstriker]

I make Pak favs. Should be an interesting 1st session tomorrow.

I've organized my meetings for early morning and I plan to sit in bed and watch the whole thing without moving. Should be a great days cricket.

Wait, seriously? No way, its a 5th day pitch and 323 is not a trivial target.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Wait, seriously? No way, its a 5th day pitch and 323 is not a trivial target.

It's not just any 5th day pitch. It's a 5th day pitch that's still playing really well. And then England has a far-from-mighty bowling attack, and Pakistan have some quality about their batting and need to win here.

It's not beyond them.

 

[silentstriker]

It's not just any 5th day pitch. It's a 5th day pitch that's still playing really well. And then England has a far-from-mighty bowling attack, and Pakistan have some quality about their batting and need to win here.

It's not beyond them.

No its not beyond them, but thats a far cry from saying they are the favorites.

 

[Xuhaib]

Its tough, the only way i see Pak coming close is if one of the 2Y's get their 2nd hundred for the game.

 

[greg]

I'm saying that Mahmood is not the answer to Simon Jones. It can't be taken for granted that Monty Panesar is the answer to Ashley Giles for that matter.

England need to sort their priorities out. Are they willing to conceed the Ashes to help shape a bowler/bowlers who won't be good for a while yet, but could possibly be good in the future? Or is the Ashes more important than that? I'm thinking "no" to the first and "yes" to the second. In that case, surely there are better "right now" bowlers in England than Sajid Mahmood and Liam Plunkett.

As a bowler? Seriously? He doesn't have to offer much.

England will bat Flintoff at 7, so their attack will be Flintoff, Harmison, Hoggard/Anderson, Panesar.

The Australian attack will be Warne.

 

[marc71178]

Hoggard / Harmy / Flintoff / Anderson / Panesar is a very good lineup for the Ashes.

Just means we're a batsman light.

 

[Nate]

My tip - England to win, Harmison to take vital wickets.

 

[Nate]

Trescothick
Strauss
Cook
Pietersen
Collingwood
Flintoff
Read
Hoggard
Anderson
Harmison
Panesar

Looks like the line-up most likely to retain the Ashes. I guess it comes down to how the bowlers bat, and Fletcher won`t take it. Which is stupid.


EDIT: Leaving out Bell for Colly. Which is extremely unfair, but I believe Bell won`t cope against McGrath, Warne and Lee. And Collingwood`s fielding is needed.

 

[andyc]

As a bowler? Seriously? He doesn't have to offer much.

England will bat Flintoff at 7, so their attack will be Flintoff, Harmison, Hoggard/Anderson, Panesar.

The Australian attack will be Warne.

And McGrath, the world's best fast bowler. And Stuart Clark, who's got 21 wickets from four games, and Brett Lee, who's improved a whole lot since the Ashes.

 

[irfan]

Wow, this test match should have an exciting conclusion and as a neutral I would love to see Pak win but I don't see that happening unless someone outside their big three performs which going on past history is unlikely to happen. Pak all out for 250-300 with panesar taking a bagful and hoping Mahmood proves his detractors wrong with a couple of vital breakthroughs.

 

[TT Boy]

Strange how a pace bowler gets injured then suddenly his stock rises dramatically. I mean people are actually talking about James Anderson as being a vital assist in Australia. One good test against India (who make a habit of succumbing to average bowlers) does not erase the fact that he is woefully inconsistent and will doubtlessly be mulled upon by the Australian batsman.

 

[PY]

And McGrath, the world's best fast bowler. And Stuart Clark, who's got 21 wickets from four games, and Brett Lee, who's improved a whole lot since the Ashes.

Ahem, let's not get carried away here. McGrath hasn't played cricket since January!

I agree that the statement was rash but you have to admit, if Warne doesn't perform like he usually does then Australia may struggle.

But anyway, pitch the flipping thing up England!

 

[TT Boy]

Panesar opening the bowling...

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Panesar opening the bowling...

With Harmy.

Either Hoggard has picked up a niggle again or Strauss has truly gone mad.