Pakistan in England/Scotland 2006

[evertonfan]

Did he give reasons why Jones was the best?

Nope, but you get the impression that Graveney thinks Read isn't good enough, regardless of his form.

 

[Briggsey]

Freddies back! Playing for Lancashire in their Twenty20 game against Nottinghamshire today and he's got figures of 3 for 4 from 3 overs!

Great news for England.

 

[Stephen Bailey]

What is it with all these bowlers going down injured?

England:
Jones
Giles
Anderson
Flintoff (although good news from what Briggles says!)

Pakistan:
Naved-ul-Hasan
Shoaib Akhtar
Mohammad Asif
Mohammad Sami

Have I missed anyone?

 

[Kev]

Having actually watched this match I though I'd comment on Chris Read.

Firstly congratulations to him on his 150 but I'd say his wicket keeping performance wasnt too special. I dont think you can read too much into his big innings as it looks like most of the team will come away with at least one decent score (the match hasnt finished but I left early partly due to rain but mostly because the match has turned into a total non-event).

 

[evertonfan]

It's brilliant watching Flintoff on form; I havn't seen him this pumped up since the Ashes. Great news for England, and if this Trafford pitch stays the same for the second test then I fancy our chances. Trent Bridge groundsmen should take note of this pitch; it's made for the liked of Harmy and Fred.

 

[s2sschan]

It's brilliant watching Flintoff on form; I havn't seen him this pumped up since the Ashes.

If he's in good form, why isn't he playing the first Test?
Maybe he isn't fit enuf yet for a 5 day game???

 

[evertonfan]

If he's in good form, why isn't he playing the first Test?
Maybe he isn't fit enuf yet for a 5 day game???

He isn't playing in the first test because he's just come back from injury, and he is too important to rush him back. Do you watch the news?

 

[Pak_cricketer]

Lets See the team as I see it (NOT MY THOUGHTS BUT WITH THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE SQUAD)

1. Salman Butt
2. Imran Farhat
3. Shoaib Malik
4. Inzamam
5. Mohammed Yousuf
6. Younis Khan (Could be promoted up the order)
7. Abdul Razzaq
8. Shahid Afridi
9. Kamran Akmal (Could be promoted up the order)
10. Umer Gul
11. Danish Kaneria

12. Samiullah Niazi (Might play instead of Butt)

 

[evertonfan]

Lets See the team as I see it (NOT MY THOUGHTS BUT WITH THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE SQUAD)

1. Salman Butt
2. Imran Farhat
3. Shoaib Malik
4. Inzamam
5. Mohammed Yousuf
6. Younis Khan (Could be promoted up the order)
7. Abdul Razzaq
8. Shahid Afridi
9. Kamran Akmal (Could be promoted up the order)
10. Umer Gul
11. Danish Kaneria

12. Samiullah Niazi (Might play instead of Butt)

That's a strong batting line-up if Akmal is at 9!

 

[Sureshot]

Having actually watched this match I though I'd comment on Chris Read.

Firstly congratulations to him on his 150 but I'd say his wicket keeping performance wasnt too special. I dont think you can read too much into his big innings as it looks like most of the team will come away with at least one decent score (the match hasnt finished but I left early partly due to rain but mostly because the match has turned into a total non-event).

But in 2 years Jones has done very little and I think we need a new keeper.

 

[ZexyZahid]

Harmison and Bell are back. Good for England.

But this series is turning out to be a series with a lot of injured players. It brings the quality and hype of this series a bit down.

 

[nightprowler10]

6. Younis Khan (Could be promoted up the order)

There is no 'could be'! He has averaged almost 50 as our #3 batsman, why even think about moving him?

BTW, this is from Cricinfo. Does this mean that both Inzi and MoYo are on strike?

 

[barmyarmy]

Also Chris Read bowling - looks like he's trying to get into the team as an All Rounder in Flintoff's position!

 

[nightprowler10]

Also Chris Read bowling - looks like he's trying to get into the team as an All Rounder in Flintoff's position!

He'll take a hat trick to top off his 150* and still get left out of the entire series.

 

[Briggsey]

Lets See the team as I see it (NOT MY THOUGHTS BUT WITH THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE SQUAD)

1. Salman Butt
2. Imran Farhat
3. Shoaib Malik
4. Inzamam
5. Mohammed Yousuf
6. Younis Khan (Could be promoted up the order)
7. Abdul Razzaq
8. Shahid Afridi
9. Kamran Akmal (Could be promoted up the order)
10. Umer Gul
11. Danish Kaneria

12. Samiullah Niazi (Might play instead of Butt)

I would say that its very likely that Niazi will be playing if both Sami and Asif dont recover in time. Gul is inexperienced at test level and to have him and Razzaq with the new ball will leave Pakistan a bit short up front and also put a lot of strain on Kaneria, Afridi and Malik/Farhat, all of whom are spinners and we arent talking about sub-continent pitches they are going to be playing on.

One of the openers will be sacrificed seeing as Malik can open, but both teams are struggling at the moment with injuries, and I for one am dissapointed as I would rather see two full strength teams fighting it out than a couple of patched up ones.