England vs Pakistan 1st Test Abu Dhabi

[Postman Pat]

Time to start handing out fines for producing unresponsive pitches, this isn't good for anyone other than inflating batting averages.

Can't see the sponsors queuing up for more of this.

 

[pasty]

Pathetic isn't it. 3 and a half days cricket producing a grand total of 923/11

 

[Pavilionaire]

The only sponsors gaining out of this are the players personal sponsors. Alistair Cook could be the new face of Ronseal after this knock.

Statistically, this match is a goldmine. Just a flavour:

Another double-hundred for Cook, he's two runs away from getting the highest England away test score vs Pakistan, he's been on the field for every minute of all 10 sessions in the match so far, most test tons in Asia by a non-Asian player (equal with Kallis on 8), 1,000 runs in the calendar year (for the 4th time - equalling KP's record).

 

[pasty]

Major excitement there.................









as a run out happened in the game being played outside.

 

[Uncle Buck]

As soon as I post this, he will get out.

However as captain, do you play the next 2 sessions to get a lead of say 120-150 and put them in and see what happens.

Or play for Lara’s record as there is not likely to be another surface in your career that you might get near it?

 

[CHAPPERS]

The aim must be to bat until just before tomorrow lunchtime with a 200 lead, though if they can put the foot down this evening a bit after reaching parity they could declare with 2 1/2 sessions left.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Only one team can win from here, but it's highly unlikely.

 

[Uncle Buck]

As soon as I post this, he will get out.

However as captain, do you play the next 2 sessions to get a lead of say 120-150 and put them in and see what happens.

Or play for Lara’s record as there is not likely to be another surface in your career that you might get near it?

However the next test is on Thursday, so if we did bat through to the end and then were to win the toss and bat on Thursday, their bowlers will be somewhat broken.

 

[Perry Milkins]

However the next test is on Thursday, so if we did bat through to the end and then were to win the toss and bat on Thursday, their bowlers will be somewhat broken.

Are you debating this point with yourself Buckie?

 

[Titanic]

Blimey... a wicket!

Joe Root caught behind for 85

426-4, 97 behind

 

[pasty]

Root misses out on the run fest. Awful shot, what the hell was he doing playing at that.

Root c Sarfraz Ahmed b Rahat Ali 85

Eng 426/4

 

[Uncle Buck]

Are you debating this point with yourself Buckie?

Meant to reply to Chappers post, just not paying attention.

Am also meant to be type setting a calendar and writing a marketing plan, so if I get those 2 mixed up, it could go very wrong...

 

[nwgull]

As soon as I post this, he will get out.

However as captain, do you play the next 2 sessions to get a lead of say 120-150 and put them in and see what happens.

Or play for Lara’s record as there is not likely to be another surface in your career that you might get near it?

Just bat for records and practice, and make sure that our bowlers are as fresh as possible for the next test. Even if we put them in now we wouldn't have time to get 10 wickets.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Just bat for records and practice, and make sure that our bowlers are as fresh as possible for the next test. Even if we put them in now we wouldn't have time to get 10 wickets.

Agree with this. Its a series. Not pushing for a (implausible) result in this one, isn't a selfish decision. Grind them down. Would love Cook to get a MASSIVE score.

Given the nature of the pitch, is it possible that BUTTLER might actually score a few runs, too?

 

[pasty]

Agree with this. Its a series. Not pushing for a (implausible) result in this one, isn't a selfish decision. Grind them down. Would love Cook to get a MASSIVE score.

Given the nature of the pitch, is it possible that BUTTLER might actually score a few runs, too?

If they're batting in the given order I'm not sure Buttler will need his pads

 

[fleet]

Agreed - doesn't seem much point in bowling again. Assuming we are about 100 ahead at close tonight then you would need to be very optimistic to see a sudden change in the pitch and 10 wickets fall tomorrow!!!

 

[n1 gull]

this has to be the most boring game ever, may as well shake hands now and pretend it never happened

 

[pasty]

Bairstow reviewing an lbw.........

 

[pasty]

.................... and gone

Bairstow lbw b Wahab Riaz 8

Eng 443/5

 

[Pavilionaire]

Just bat for records and practice, and make sure that our bowlers are as fresh as possible for the next test. Even if we put them in now we wouldn't have time to get 10 wickets.

Our quicks were a combined 10 for 201 in the first innings. With 38 overs left today we could score another 100-odd runs, so be ahead by 20-odd tonight. Surely the plan should be to throw the bat tomorrow, get what lead we can (ideally declare at lunch 150 ahead) with two sessions to go? If we aim to get 15 overs each out of the four bowlers then who knows? Even getting then four or five down by the close might score some psychological points before the second match.