*Official* Pakistan vs Australia in the UAE 2018

[stephen]

Cricinfo's saying they haven't taken the new ball. Woah.

Why give them a nice hard ball to smack around? At least I think that's the theory.

 

[Burgey]

Holland just looks so innocuous here. Getting milked without any risk at all.

 

[Starfighter]

Why give them a nice hard ball to smack around? At least I think that's the theory.

When's the last time an Australian team didn't take the new ball for the long though?

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Inspired decision to pick Siddle.

Would Agar have done a worse job than Holland? Would've at least strengthened the batting

 

[Burgey]

Be worth giving the new rock to Lyon from one end and see if he can get knock one over with a bit more bounce

 

[Burgey]

Look at this magnificent video tribute to TOTAB being stunk up by including all the mortal commentators in the same montage. Dire.

 

[Starfighter]

We need one of Starc's special second new ball spells here.

 

[Burgey]

That’s interesting. Wasn’t playing a shot and still not given because of the three metre rule.

 

[Starfighter]

****

 

[Pup Clarke]

Waqar saying Pakistan should put Australia in with an hour left tonight. Why? Loads of time left in the match

 

[the big bambino]

Inspired decision to pick Siddle.

Would Agar have done a worse job than Holland? Would've at least strengthened the batting

Maybe for Marnus on reflection. Now that I’ve said it watch Marnus ton up.

 

[Burgey]

Waqar saying Pakistan should put Australia in with an hour left tonight. Why? Loads of time left in the match

Suppose it depends on what they think the pitch will do. If it breaks up they’d bat on, if it stays flat like this they might want to accelerate to give themselves maximum time to take 20 wickets

 

[Pup Clarke]

Yeah good point. Looks like the batsman are aware of this, and their team plan is to bat once. Sarfraz may bring the 'intent' though

 

[Burgey]

They look like they’re trying to up the anti a bit the past three or four overs. Be interesting - Lyon is starting to create a few half chances.

 

[Prince EWS]

Suppose it depends on what they think the pitch will do. If it breaks up they’d bat on, if it stays flat like this they might want to accelerate to give themselves maximum time to take 20 wickets

If it takes them over three days to get Australia out twice they'll need to bat again anyway, and the pitch isn't getting any easier to bat on. No real point declaring today IMO, especially since the tail are actually all pretty good hitters. Better to just hit out than declare that this point I think.

 

[GotSpin]

They should just grind Australia into the ground

Getting hard to watch though

 

[Burgey]

Labia!

 

[NUFAN]

Well done Labuschagne, good to see.

Babar coming in at 7 in these conditions is scary.

 

[Gnske]

Marnus Labuschagne, the man who dug up the corpse of Australian cricket and gave hope to its resurrection.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Ja lekker Marnus