Pakistan vs England in United Arab Emirates - October/November 2015

[Rehan_24]

Warne categorizes Yasir as the best spinner in international cricket currently

Source: Shane Warne hopeful of working with Yasir Shah | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[PokerAce]

I was watching the highlights of the final days play. I hadnt followed the test match that closely all I knew was Pakistan had won, which I had expected anyway. However now that I see the highlights England really pushed it close on the final day. Just 6 overs were left when Pakistan won. So naturally congrats to Pakistan, but a great effort from England too. With a bit of luck they could have pulled off a draw here.

I think with this knowledge, I quite look forward to the final test, which I had previously expected Pakistan would basically walk to a win. England have done well, and they went toe to toe in the first match, if not better, and almost drew the second test too. I think England have a good shot at drawing the series 1-1 at the end of the tour if they keep the performance up and especially if Rashid and Moenn are allowed to have a go a Pakistan in the 4th innings with Pakistan chasing down a decent target.

 

[cricket_icon]

Along with Bell...

Geoffery talks sense: Bell I don't care what you have done in the past youre not giving enough back: 20 tests averaging at 19 aint good enough....either give more or you dont play...

Agreed!

I don't think there is a single England player in the current set up who has had as many lives as Bell. He should have been dropped before the start of the series in all honesty.

I'd go with this team (I'm predicting it will be a very flat track, with little even for the spinners):

Cook
Hales (might as well give him a shot here, literally nothing to lose)
Root
Taylor
Ali (he is a solid, test quality, MIDDLE ORDER batsman, with classical, stylish shots, plus his bowling is needed)
Bairstow
Buttler (who else is there really?)
Rashid
Jordan (he's in the test squad right?)
Wood
Anderson

I've dropped Stokes, he just isn't needed or good enough and Broad, who has just been so average, at best. I can't remember if Jordan is in the test squad but I saw him on my tv screen a few times so he is definitely in the UAE. Give him a shot.

I've added in Hales and Taylor for obvious reasons. I believe the England management have often been too rigid and too afraid to make changes during series', especially when they are losing. Nothing to lose here, they have been dominated for at least 8 of the 10 days played, why not go with something new?

P.S. I can see Stokes staying and Bairstow keeping wicket and Buttler going. Stokes may be needed in the heat as an extra bowler.

 

[_Sam_]

Agreed!

I don't think there is a single England player in the current set up who has had as many lives as Bell. He should have been dropped before the start of the series in all honesty.

I'd go with this team (I'm predicting it will be a very flat track, with little even for the spinners):

Cook
Hales (might as well give him a shot here, literally nothing to lose)
Root
Taylor
Ali (he is a solid, test quality, MIDDLE ORDER batsman, with classical, stylish shots, plus his bowling is needed)
Bairstow
Buttler (who else is there really?)
Rashid
Jordan (he's in the test squad right?)
Wood
Anderson

I've dropped Stokes, he just isn't needed or good enough and Broad, who has just been so average, at best. I can't remember if Jordan is in the test squad but I saw him on my tv screen a few times so he is definitely in the UAE. Give him a shot.

I've added in Hales and Taylor for obvious reasons. I believe the England management have often been too rigid and too afraid to make changes during series', especially when they are losing. Nothing to lose here, they have been dominated for at least 8 of the 10 days played, why not go with something new?

P.S. I can see Stokes staying and Bairstow keeping wicket and Buttler going. Stokes may be needed in the heat as an extra bowler.

I personally would rate Stokes as a more handy test bowler than Jordan anyway to be honest, but I'd stick with Broad and have Stokes over Buttler.

 

[Rehan_24]

Hey, Here we go with the Great One having a good work with the most emerging talent in spin bowling department

Yasir Shah trains with childhood hero Shane Warne | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[bigred]

I personally would rate Stokes as a more handy test bowler than Jordan anyway to be honest, but I'd stick with Broad and have Stokes over Buttler.

Stokes is definitely a better bowler than Jordan. I've been really unimpressed by Jordan in red ball cricket and was surprised when he was called into the test squad to replace Finn. I would have thought Footitt or Woakes would have been better options.

I quite like Jordan the one day bowler. Seems to be able to get his Yorkers in at the right time. Also adds some beef to the lower order batting and is a brilliant fielder.

As far as the third test is concerned, it looks certain that they'll give Buttler a break. Question is, who comes in? Hales makes sense as it would mean Ali could go back down the order. However, Taylor is a better player, so it'll probably end up being him with Ali remaining up at the top. It will certainly be his last as a test opener.

Given how Sharjah played last year, I'd be tempted to bring in Patel for the injured Wood.

Team

1. Cook
2. Ali
3. Bell
4. Root
5. Taylor
6. Bairstow
7. Stokes
8. Patel
9. Rashid
10. Broad
11. Anderson

There's no way that Stokes should bat higher than 7 at the moment. He only comes off one in every 6/7. He should be an old ball, tired bowler bully.

 

[Excommunicado]

Game starts tomorrow.

I'm expecting a tussle in the final Test. A draw or a win & Pakistan are 2nd in the Test Rankings. Anything less, Pakistan will enjoy it down at the bottom half of the rankings.

 

[Jetty]

Isn't it time Cook won a toss? Pakistan have won 6/9 tosses in the UAE since Jan 2014.

 

[Rehan_24]

What a legend and lover of game Warne is. Salute to his passion and love for the game. Here is the training session with Yasir Shah video.

Yasir Shah session with Shane Warne - Watch ExclusiveVideo

 

[cricket_icon]

I personally would rate Stokes as a more handy test bowler than Jordan anyway to be honest, but I'd stick with Broad and have Stokes over Buttler.

Why would you stick with Broad? We've seen him be entirely useless this series, there's no point in wasting time waiting for him to find form or a spark from somewhere. Give someone new, someone fresh a shot, England literally have nothing to lose.

 

[_Sam_]

Why would you stick with Broad? We've seen him be entirely useless this series, there's no point in wasting time waiting for him to find form or a spark from somewhere. Give someone new, someone fresh a shot, England literally have nothing to lose.

Not exactly worth discussing now that Wood's injured I guess but I'd bring in Plunkett for Wood and don't rate Jordan at all in test matches really. Maybe if we'd brought in someone like Woakes or Footitt but Broad is more useful than Jordan.

 

[_Sam_]

Cook loses the toss... Again.... Samit Patel in for Wood .

 

[bigred]

Cook loses the toss... Again.... Samit Patel in for Wood .

Patel has got a couple to spit and turn on the first morning though. He also seems to be able to do the holding job that Ali and Rashid cannot.

 

[bigred]

Good to see Jimmy back in the slips. Hasn't done it for a couple of years, but he has such good hands. He may have to do it full time in SA, even if Cook's hand injury improves. I think Bell will retire after this test and so you are only left with Cook, Root and Stokes as potential slip fielders. Does anyone know if Taylor or Hales do it for their counties?

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Few of my friends that were regular posters during the Ashes are missing. Anyway.

First of all, cricket can do with people like Warne and Akram. What ambassadors of the game and what a way to give back to cricket. Lot of cricketers say it, few do it. Huge respect.

Second, I had a pretty massive argument during the Ashes about Anderson being a world class bowler in all conditions. That argument should rest in my favor now. He is by far one of the best fast bowlers of this generation. Broad is more the 'conditions' bowler.

Third, a lot of people are at it about England being crap but mark my words, you're watching the best cricket team in build up mode in 2-3 years time. I don't like including the t20 format in it because it's all franchise cricket, but boy is that team a cup of tea for every folk and every generation. Their depth just blows my mind away. Hopefully, the goons that administer them can keep their heads about themselves.

Lastly, I want to take a moment and thank Misbah Ul Haq. Both the Ul-Haq's will be fondly remembered by me. Outstanding mentors for Pakistan, extremely under rated batsmen in world cricket and cricketers that fans will sorely miss once they retire. His achievements will be revered more once he hangs up the boots. I know a lot of people make fun of his SR, but you can't do much when you always walk in at 50/4.