Aussies v Pakistan in England

[mighty_west]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

Pakistan are 8 for 285

Marcus North has 5 for 54

probably just saved his spot for another series

Warney must be thinking what the heck is going on, first Watson getting a 5 for, now Marcus North getting his name on the honour board......and who said cricket wasn't a funny game?

It wasn't as though North got out a few bunnies either, Salmon Butt in the 90's, Umar Akmal & the dangerous Afridi who simply had a massive brain explosion.

[Bornadog]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

Australia 253 & 334
Pakistan 148 & 289 (91.1 ov)
Australia won by 150 runs

North 6/55

[DOG GOD]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

Afridi retiring from test cricket after the next test. Probably a good decision as his test batting is at an all time low. The amount of one day cricket has certainly hindered his ability to play a "normal" innings.

But where to from here for the pakis? Do they throw Salman Butt to the wolves and make him capt or bring back Younis? Id go for Butt as he has the temperment to play long innings but does he have the nous to lead a team?

I like the look of the 2 debutants so far (Ali and Umin)....both look like they have the ability to play a long innings.

Aust seem to have a knack of having hack bowlers get bags of wickets. North, Katich, Clarke, Watson. Allowing North to get 6 is really a joke and the pakis should have their heads lowered after allowing that to happen.

[GVGjr]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

Watched a fair bit of it last night and I thought Smith looked a better bowling prospect than I originally thought he would. Johnson has lost his zip and is way too loose with his deliveries. We should look to another quick rather than keeping Johnson in the side.

I think White is a better prospect than North at number six but North's bowling exploits last night will ensure that he maintains his spot for a while.

[lemmon]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

Afridi retiring from test cricket after the next test. Probably a good decision as his test batting is at an all time low. The amount of one day cricket has certainly hindered his ability to play a "normal" innings.

Its not the fault of too much limited overs cricket that has stopped him from playing a normal innings its that he carries around an ego the size of the house. Suffers from the Gayle syndrome where he has become obsessed with his own cavalier image and unfortunately the immensely talented Umar Akmal seems to have a touch of it himself. Butt should and will take the captaincy, he has matured immensely since his early days and hopefully he can instill some steal into the middle order. They had a bowling attack on par if not marginally better then the Aussies yet the middle order cost them any chance at victory.

[The Boy From Brasil]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

Watched a fair bit of it last night and I thought Smith looked a better bowling prospect than I originally thought he would.

Agree. I thought he looked really really good. I like his ability and he just looks like has the self confidence to make it as a test cricketer.

The fact that North got six wickets says a lot about Pakistans fragile batting line up and their inability to play test innings. I hope our pace bowlers improve a bit for the upcoming ashes series. I thought Hilfy was okay but Mitch and Dougy were below par. Will be interesting to see if they are tempted to put Tait into the side for the ashes. On a flat deck, our bowling line can look pedestrian at times.

[GVGjr]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

Agree. I thought he looked really really good. I like his ability and he just looks like has the self confidence to make it as a test cricketer.

The fact that North got six wickets says a lot about Pakistans fragile batting line up and their inability to play test innings. I hope our pace bowlers improve a bit for the upcoming ashes series. I thought Hilfy was okay but Mitch and Dougy were below par. Will be interesting to see if they are tempted to put Tait into the side for the ashes. On a flat deck, our bowling line can look pedestrian at times.

North bowled well but Pakistan made him look a lot better. FWIW, I don't like the look of the side with two left arm quicks although there is no logical reason for it. I'd be happy to have Siddle back which might squeeze out the under performing Johnson.

I think Smith's batting will go backwards if he stays at number 8.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

Awful start for Australia after winning the toss & electing to bat in the 2nd Test at Headingly.

Lunch & Australia struggling at 6/73.

Scores

[GVGjr]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

Awful start for Australia after winning the toss & electing to bat in the 2nd Test at Headingly.

Lunch & Australia struggling at 6/73.

Scores

Can't keep relying on Katich to hold this side together. Lets see how young Paine and Smith perform with the bat.

[mighty_west]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

Now 8/73 with Smith first ball after lunch & Johnson the very next ball, to two of the best deliveries from Amir you could ever see.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

Pakistan all out for 258, leading on the first innings by 170. Watson took 6/33.

Katich out early, currently 1/20.

[GVGjr]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

Pakistan all out for 258, leading on the first innings by 170. Watson took 6/33.

Katich out early, currently 1/20.

Watson is bowling OK but given that Johnson is going so poorly he will probably need to do more bowling than he should. A return to number 6 might need to be on the cards.

Johnson has been very poor and whilst I doubt the will drop him he deserves to be sent back to shield cricket.

[ledge]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

2/55 Watson gone.

[DOG GOD]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

My money is on Australia from this position and even the bookies after day 1 werent fooled either with aussies paying $3 for the win after being bowled out for 88. This has the sydney test written all over it. A lead of 175 should be enough for australia.

[GVGjr]

Re: Aussies v Pakistan in England

How bad is our bowling attack on what has been bowler friendly tracks?

North has taken a 6 for and Watson has taken two 6 for's.

As brittle as the batting has been the strike bowlers have struggled.