England Cricket 2016 - Sri Lanka & Pakistan

SL should've stayed home.

Expect the series with Pakistan to be a better watch, mainly because our bowlers will cause England more problems.
 
England squad for First Test vs. Pakistan:

In summary, Toby Roland-Jones called up, Ballance recalled. No place for Stokes, Buttler or Anderson.

Squad: Alastair Cook (capt), Alex Hales, Gary Ballance, Joe Root, James Vince, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Jake Ball, Steven Finn, Toby Roland-Jones

Surprised to see Ballance recalled, despite a century in the first innings vs. Middlesex he's not in what you would call sparkling form. I thought Borthwick and/ or Buttler would be in the squad.
 
Looks like Lord's ground staff have prepared another absolute road with nothing it it for the bowlers 'good' pitch.
 
Double breakthrough from Woakes. Pleased for him, rated him since he first came in. Test bowling average still over 40 but that will come down, especially if he carries on like this! Another before lunch would be nice.
 
Misbah is such a legend. Five 50s and a 100 in his last 8 Test innings at 42 years old.
 
Anyone else think the Ali experiment has run its course? At least Rashid offers the option of a good googly which will always be useful at least against tailenders, batting wise I don't think there's much between the two really.
 
I can't think of many players in modern times who have played at such a high level well in to their 40s.

Gooch maybe?
 
Misbah is an excellent player. Has his flaws but has been a rock for Pakistan in the middle order.
 
Ole's_toe_poke said:
I can't think of many players in modern times who have played at such a high level well in to their 40s.

Gooch maybe?
Click to expand...

Sangakarra was as good as he'd ever been in his late 30s and I reckon if he wanted he could still be playing for Sri Lanka into his 40s but I agree I don't think I've seen anyone play as well into their 40s as Misbah.
 
Of course the habitual collapse happens....
 
Looks like we've got a proper test match/series on our hands here. Really excited to see Amir bowl.
 
No-one in the last 82 years has done what Misbah's done. Says it all, really... He's already done so much for Pakistan cricket in the wake of the match fixing scandal that this does nothing more than cement his place as a legend.
 
Great start to day 2 by England, less than an hour in and down to numbers 10 & 11. Most of the talk after the close of play yesterday was about trying to get Pakistan out for 350 or less so if they can clean this up quickly then it's a great effort. But then they always say you can't really judge a pitch/ match situation until both teams have batted on it.
 
ChrisNelson said:
Great start to day 2 by England, less than an hour in and down to numbers 10 & 11. Most of the talk after the close of play yesterday was about trying to get Pakistan out for 350 or less so if they can clean this up quickly then it's a great effort. But then they always say you can't really judge a pitch/ match situation until both teams have batted on it.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. It's a more overcast day after yesterday's sunshine, and Pakistan have a couple of outstanding swing bowlers. This could be looking a good score by teatime.
 
Amir is such a great bowler shame he lost a chunk of his career due to his stupidity, could have broken all sorts of records. And unfortunately will always have the stigma of the match fixing scandal on his record to tarnish his legacy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.