England vs Pakistan 1st Test Abu Dhabi

[n1 gull]

This is an incredibly tedious watch. Let's just hope Engalnd can bat on this dead surface.

its bloody awful to watch - the bowlers have nothing. may as well just switch on day 4 or 5 when it starts spinning

 

[spring hall convert]

Well, this is exciting stuff isn't it? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

The sooner we can get Test cricket back in Pakistan the better it'll be for both the viewers and the development of Pakistani cricket.

Do we trust England to bat this one out though? I'm not so sure, we have lots of stroke makers but not too many crease occupiers.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Absorbing.

Lovely bit of analysis by Bumble on the last ball where Malik came straight down the middle of the pitch to plant his feet and play his shot from a spinner's good length...

Bowlers are banned from bowling if they run on the danger area but the batters can get away with it.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

And now another wicket.

TIMBER....!!!!

 

[Moshe Gariani]

My not quite patented money-printing system comes up trumps again.

Bet on another wicket falling relatively quickly after a massive partnership is broken.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Ed Smith: ""If you throw an orange to someone in your kitchen, that's how difficult that catch was. Pakistan collapsing to 514-6..."

 

[KZNSeagull]

Ian Bell catches another one! 521-7. Malik out for a paltry 245.

 

[Mackenzie]

What a complete waste of time this series is. I bet the players are loving it!

 

[spring hall convert]

What a complete waste of time this series is. I bet the players are loving it!

To be fair it's just this track that's the total pudding. Dubai and Sharjah are result pitches with a combined 3 draws in the last 15.

However, winning the toss is still key.

 

[KZNSeagull]

England have scored 52 without losing a wicket! Cook 36, Ali 14

 

[KZNSeagull]

56-0 at close of play. Cook 39 Ali 15. Well done them. Now to bat all day tomorrow

 

[Papa Lazarou]

56-0 at close of play. Cook 39 Ali 15. Well done them. Now to bat all day tomorrow

IF (big if) this pitch stays benign if might give s few batsmen (e.g. Ali at no.2) a chance to bed into Test cricket / a new batting position. We know our bowlers are ok (in normal conditions).

 

[KZNSeagull]

IF (big if) this pitch stays benign if might give s few batsmen (e.g. Ali at no.2) a chance to bed into Test cricket / a new batting position. We know our bowlers are ok (in normal conditions).

Yes indeed. Sounds like Ali did well during that nasty little session there.

Shame about Rashid - big test of character for him now but I hope that he does not get binned.

 

[n1 gull]

just put on India v South Africa the difference is unbelievable no wonder some countries don't like test cricket

 

[Simster]

I don't know why but I really can't muster any interest whatsoever in this tour. Too much cricket I think, but Sussex fliddery hasn't helped.

 

[spring hall convert]

IF (big if) this pitch stays benign if might give s few batsmen (e.g. Ali at no.2) a chance to bed into Test cricket / a new batting position. We know our bowlers are ok (in normal conditions).

Ali is a horse for the course here. If he opens in South Africa the selectors have lost the plot. He's a decent bat but won't be able to handle the new ball against Morkel and Steyn on South African wickets.

Though it does beg the question, who else?

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

Though it does beg the question, who else?

Exactly.

Desperately short of quality opening batsmen.

 

[studio150]

Given the batting friendly pitch there us no reason why England can not bat for the next 3 days to draw thw test by posting 800+ and giving the bowlers a complete rest before the 2nd test.

 

[OzMike]

The pitch must be like a 'road'.

 

[Elvis]

Given the batting friendly pitch there us no reason why England can not bat for the next 3 days to draw thw test by posting 800+ and giving the bowlers a complete rest before the 2nd test.

Unfortunately I can think of quite a few.