Pakistan vs England

[Dan2501]

First Test started today. Solid start for Pakistan - 98-1 in the 2nd session, though Hafeez was dropped early by Bell. England's XI looks a strong one. As suspected Moeen is in as an opener, and Rashid comes in as a second spinner. So we're lining up:

Cook
Moeen
Bell
Root
Bairstow
Stokes
Buttler
Rashid
Broad
Wood
Anderson

Hopefully we'll pick up a few wickets in this session and not allow these two to get big scores. Really want Rashid to go well in this series, been wanting him in the side for a while, so it's good to see him getting a go.

 

[Piece]

First Test started today. Solid start for Pakistan - 98-1 in the 2nd session, though Hafeez was dropped early by Bell. England's XI looks a strong one. As suspected Moeen is in as an opener, and Rashid comes in as a second spinner. So we're lining up:

Cook
Moeen
Bell
Root
Bairstow
Stokes
Buttler
Rashid
Broad
Wood
Anderson

Hopefully we'll pick up a few wickets in this session and not allow these two to get big scores. Really want Rashid to go well in this series, been wanting him in the side for a while, so it's good to see him getting a go.

Another wicket taken...and then reversed. Criminal no-ball from Broad. Chances are often scarce for seamers on these wickets.

 

[Dan2501]

Yeah pretty poor from Broad. No excuse really. Both of these should be gone. Can't afford to miss chances on these decks.

 

[Dan2501]

Who's idea was it to put Ian Bell at slip?

 

[Piece]

Time to ring the Bell :mmm:

Big runs from him required!

 

[Dan2501]

Needs about 150 to break even.

 

[patricks148]

Looked a real slow flat track from what i saw, lets hope when England bat they don't make it look like a 5th day raging turner

 

[Dan2501]

This is going well. What worries me most is the commentators moaning about the pitch being flat and a "batsmans paradise" before we've batted on it. They'll soon change their tune when Pakistan get it ripping and spinning and bowl us out for under 200.

 

[Tongo]

This is going well. What worries me most is the commentators moaning about the pitch being flat and a "batsmans paradise" before we've batted on it. They'll soon change their tune when Pakistan get it ripping and spinning and bowl us out for under 200.

I dont think they'll even have to turn the ball. England's batsmen have been unable to play slow bowling for some time now (probably since the last time they were in the UAE) let alone decent spin bowling.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I dont think they'll even have to turn the ball. England's batsmen have been unable to play slow bowling for some time now (probably since the last time they were in the UAE) let alone decent spin bowling.

Oh dear. Only another 467 runs to get. At least we've not lost a wicket yet.

 

[Dan2501]

Cook looking absolutely gun this morning. Making it look easy, especially compared to Bell who's looking terrible.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

This match is utterly uninspiring. Dead pitches are killing test matches. The ones in the WI were awful, we produce some stinkers in this country and here comes another. The ICC needs to encourage wickets with life in them. At the moment we are driving people into the hands of 20:20. Bring on the pace and bounce of S.Africa.

 

[Dan2501]

Ton up for Cookeh. WAG.

 

[Tongo]

Kudos to Cook and Bell. Certainly didn't think Bell had it in him anymore.

Admittedly it appears that the wicket is a batsman's paradise but when one considers scoreboard pressure and England's problems playing spin bowling then its a decent achievement thus far.

 

[Piece]

Kudos to Cook and Bell. Certainly didn't think Bell had it in him anymore.

Admittedly it appears that the wicket is a batsman's paradise but when one considers scoreboard pressure and England's problems playing spin bowling then its a decent achievement thus far.

Cook was excellent today. Bell was very scratchy on a dead wicket. Still, better to score a crappy 63 than a fluent 25

 

[Dan2501]

Is it? I know what I'd rather watch

 

[Dan2501]

Records continue to fall for Cook. Longest innings by an England captain (beating Atherton's famous innings against SA), now scored a hundred in every country. Looks like he could bat all week on this deck, could get a massive score. He has that unique ability among England batsman to really kick on and make the most of a start when he gets in on a flat deck. Not been easy for him, it's a turgid deck and not easy to score (unless you're Joe Root) so it's a fine effort. Reckon he can beat Sachin's record?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The BBC sport website are running a great theme this morning where people are posting what they would rather watch than this test match. Some great pictures of dull things that are more exciting than this sleep inducer. Not the players fault, the pitch should be condemned.

 

[Dan2501]

Spinners 0/498 from 151 overs on this deck. Would have got good odds on it being that many runs before a wicket for a spinner in the UAE.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Remember when Cook was written off - class opening bat