Re: cricket - general cricket chit chat thread : Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:43 am  

Asim wrote:

Pakistan look to be taking control of this one now, if we don't break the Younis/Azhar Ali partnership soon we might be in trouble - as I have no confidence in us chasing anything remotely challenging at the moment.

Agree, evidence again how one bad session can lose you the game

Re: cricket - general cricket chit chat thread : Sat Feb 04, 2012 12:22 pm  

This game is lost now....Who'd have thought a month ago we'd be contemplating a humiliating whitewash against Pakistan?

Looks like this present side have reached their peak and are now on a downward path, similar to how the great 2004-2005 period side quickly faded away, sparked by an abject away series with the Pakistanis too.

Re: cricket - general cricket chit chat thread : Sat Feb 04, 2012 2:12 pm  

Just goes to show what a difference one big partnership can make in a low scoring match. Looks like we'll be chasing 250 minimum, which ought to be attainable in theory when the other team has just scored a bit more than that, but I just can't see England at present being mentally tough or confident enough to pull it off.

I only saw the final hour or so of yesterday's play, but it was painful to watch. I think we scored about 30 runs in twenty overs, lost three wickets and were lucky not to lose more, and generally were hopelessly outplayed.

Looks like Pakistan will become the first team since 1907 to win a Test match after being dismissed for under 100 in the first innings.

Re: cricket - general cricket chit chat thread : Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:31 pm  

You just can't work these pitches out.

Both sides have a poor innings and then Pakistan pull 200 and odd runs out the bag.

Re: cricket - general cricket chit chat thread : Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:35 am  

Wickets tumbling now, the pitch is doing something for the spinners now so I'll be pleasantly surprised if we can muster 100 batting last.

Re: cricket - general cricket chit chat thread : Sun Feb 05, 2012 11:41 am  

Target of 324. I'll be surprised if we get within 150 of that based on what we've produced in the series so far.

Re: cricket - general cricket chit chat thread : Sun Feb 05, 2012 11:56 am  

18 batsmen dismissed in single figures in the game so far.

Re: cricket - general cricket chit chat thread : Sun Feb 05, 2012 1:13 pm  

Strauss and Cook survive until close, but, once again, neither shows any sign of looking confident against the spinners, with both content to crawl along at snail's pace, pinned back in their crease.

Do any of our batsmen know how to use their feet to the spinners, putting pressure on the bowler, while at the same time, putting runs on the board??...

One thing is certain, playing the defensive way will only lead to an ineviable defeat.

Re: cricket - general cricket chit chat thread : Sun Feb 05, 2012 4:02 pm  

Dita's Slot Meter wrote:

Do any of our batsmen know how to use their feet to the spinners, putting pressure on the bowler, while at the same time, putting runs on the board??...

I read some interesting comments from former Pakistan player Mudassar Nazar earlier, he's coaching at the ICC academy down the road from the ground and he said he watched England using the Merlin spin bowling machine in practice and all they did was try to hit fours and sixes - if that is true it's not exactly meticulous preparation is it?

Re: cricket - general cricket chit chat thread : Sun Feb 05, 2012 4:05 pm  

Asim wrote:

I read some interesting comments from former Pakistan player Mudassar Nazar earlier, he's coaching at the ICC academy down the road from the ground and he said he watched England using the Merlin spin bowling machine in practice and all they did was try to hit fours and sixes - if that is true it's not exactly meticulous preparation is it?

Did they manage to hit any?