*Official* Pakistan vs Australia in the UAE 2018

[TheJediBrah]

Bruce Smith

Sounds more like the name of one of those white invaders from England

 

[jimmy101]

Mark Brandon Reid.

 

[stephen]

Mohammed Abdul.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Juan Manuel Vasquez Marinelarena da Sousa

 

[TheJediBrah]

All excellent answers. I would also have accepted Hong Jiao, Nakamura Takagoto and Lamarcus Johnson

 

[Gnske]

All excellent answers. I would also have excepted Hong Jiao, Nakamura Takagoto and Lamarcus Johnson

Thank god watson isn't here to see those first two names.

 

[TheJediBrah]

I'm quite surprised that Aus declared in their tour game only 4 wickets down with a lot of the team not even getting a chance to have a hit in their only warm-up game so that they could spend another day tiring themselves out in the field in sweltering conditions instead. Seems a bizarre choice.

 

[stephen]

I agree TJB. Unless they were concerned that the bowlers in the first innings didn't bowl the right lengths or get enough overs into them.

 

[Burgey]

Luckily Australia’s bowlers have a reputation for being extremely durable and don’t often get injured.

 

[jimmy101]

If anything it could be an exercise in acclimatization. Get the players used to fielding in the dry UAE heat with the hope they will be better suited for pushing on if they are to encounter a tough session in the upcoming Test.

 

[jimmy101]

Kinda like when I used to play footy as a kid. I'd put on my footy shorts a few hours before the game so I could get used to the cold. Probably doesn't make a difference, but that was my method.

 

[Prince EWS]

Luckily Australia’s bowlers have a reputation for being extremely durable and don’t often get injured.

Spinners bowled 62% of the overs and Holland took five. Probably went about as well as they could've expected after declaring really.

 

[TheJediBrah]

If anything it could be an exercise in acclimatization. Get the players used to fielding in the dry UAE heat with the hope they will be better suited for pushing on if they are to encounter a tough session in the upcoming Test.

Actually makes a bit of sense. Would still rather give the whole team a chance to bat in a match situation though than wear out the bowlers.

 

[jimmy101]

For sure, it's risky business having the players in the field for too long. I guess Langer/Paine decided they'd gotten enough batting practise.

 

[vcs]

A couple of months back, I wouldn't have given Australia a chance but now I think they've a great opportunity. Pakistan look totally uninspiring right now.

 

[TheJediBrah]

I still don't think Aus have a realistic chance with so many of their best players out but definitely looking forward to see 1) How Finch goes, and 2) Lyon and Holland bowing in together. Holland has deserved this opportunity for a while.

 

[Burgey]

A couple of months back, I wouldn't have given Australia a chance but now I think they've a great opportunity. Pakistan look totally uninspiring right now.

The batting is either terrible in these conditions or unproven in them. I think Lyon and Holland can create enough chances but the problem will be not having scores to bowl to. Would love to see Renshaw have a big series, assuming he's ok to play the first test. Any word on him yet? I think Finch will do decently. Hope, rather than expect Khawaja to do likewise, but even though he's got fit, he's still pretty useless vs spin. The Marsh brothers will stink it up for the most part and Head hasn't played before.

Is the likely line up:

Renners (if fit)
Arun
Ussie
SOS
MMarsh
Head

 

[vcs]

You'll do OK as long as you don't go trying to take wickets every ball, or score a hundred runs every over.

Game moves slowly over there, and Pakistan don't really have the firepower to blow anyone away these days either. SL got it pretty much spot on when they played in the UAE last year.

 

[Burgey]

Yeah, that's where they'll seriously miss the TPC grind.

 

[nightprowler10]

Predictions? I'm thinking 1-0 in favor of Australia. I have very little confidence in Pak right now.