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

[War]

Rashid endures the most taxing of debuts | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

Telling two stats these:

- England's spin attack of Rashid, Moeen Ali , Joe Root and Stokes solitary over had collective figures of none for 302. Quite how to measure the worst of something in cricket is often up for debate, but this was the most expensive wicketless analysis for a spin attack in an innings in Test history, beating South Africa's none for 273 against Sri Lanka, in Colombo, in 2006.

- Feeling the pain the most was Adil Rashid as he finished with none for 163, the most expensive figures by a bowler who's gone wicketless on debut. At least the man he knocked off the top spot will understand the feeling. Bryce McGain, the Australian legspinner, ended with 18-2-149-0 in his only innings against South Africa, at Cape Town, in 2009.

 

[cooks1st100]

Rashid endures the most taxing of debuts | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

Telling two stats these:

- England's spin attack of Rashid, Moeen Ali , Joe Root and Stokes solitary over had collective figures of none for 302. Quite how to measure the worst of something in cricket is often up for debate, but this was the most expensive wicketless analysis for a spin attack in an innings in Test history, beating South Africa's none for 273 against Sri Lanka, in Colombo, in 2006.

- Feeling the pain the most was Adil Rashid as he finished with none for 163, the most expensive figures by a bowler who's gone wicketless on debut. At least the man he knocked off the top spot will understand the feeling. Bryce McGain, the Australian legspinner, ended with 18-2-149-0 in his only innings against South Africa, at Cape Town, in 2009.

Certainly not great figures, but there's more life in Roy Orbison than that wicket!! Can definitely see Cook batting all day on it tomorrow and a few loose shots from the others to have us 4 or 5 wickets down by the end of play. I'll be highly surprised if this doesn't end up a draw, but then it's England so you never can be too sure!!

 

[bigred]

I don't think Samit Patel is any better than Rashid, but I think he might be more useful on these types of pitches where you can't bowl 48-50 mph. It's just far too slow.

If England don't get up to at least 450 on this pitch they need shooting. Cook is the big wicket. If he bats for an hour tomorrow, it's likely he'll be there all day.

 

[PokerAce]

Why bother with having a pitch curators and keep paying them. Just build a road where the pitch is, it will all still be the same. The Concrete and stuff will be a one time investment only. Think of the money the ground will save.

 

[bigred]

Most predictable day of test cricket ever.

 

[MUFC1987]

Shame we couldn't take our chances in Pakistan's innings and make a real game of this. On this type of pitch it's just impossible to get Cook out. By that I mean, he needs to make a mistake, because on a pitch that isn't doing anything and with no swing, he's just far too good. Hopefully he goes big for the last 2 days. May as well, this Test is a draw already.

 

[bigred]

Shame we couldn't take our chances in Pakistan's innings and make a real game of this. On this type of pitch it's just impossible to get Cook out. By that I mean, he needs to make a mistake, because on a pitch that isn't doing anything and with no swing, he's just far too good. Hopefully he goes big for the last 2 days. May as well, this Test is a draw already.

Yeah. He should certainly be thinking about a triple ton. I worry slightly about the likes of Stokes, Buttler and Bairstow. A pitch like this needs patience and determination. Traits they haven't shown much in the past. We should get to at least tea tomorrow though. At which point, there's no result possible.

 

[Rehan_24]

Pakistan suffering from Yasir Shah absence. One match-winner and wicket-taking bowler changes the whole scenrio of the game. Virtually in this squad Pakistan doesn't have a single genuine wicket taking bowler. I heard before test match Misbah disappointment with the selection that they don't have any extra legy to cover up the grand absence of Yasir Shah.

On the other hand, It may be the factor that the pitch is way too flat and both teams bowlers aren't that bad what they have gone through in such a hot environment. Feel for the bowlers...

 

[PokerAce]

To give everyone some indication of just how boring this match is because of the road of pitch, the match for the past 10 minutes have been showing some gully cricket happening near the ground, with Artherton and Lloyd doing live commentary on the side game. There was a run out in that side game and there were replays of that run out also shown. That has to be a first.

 

[CerealKiller]

The pitch curator should be sacked after this match.

 

[Perfect Square]

Booooooooooring !!!!!!!!!!

 

[IceAgeComing]

I hope that we don't over-react in terms of getting rid of Rashid after this game - I doubt they will considering that there's a real prospect that no wicket will fall to spin during this match and it'd be unfair to judge a spinner on that sort of pitch...

 

[bigred]

I hope that we don't over-react in terms of getting rid of Rashid after this game - I doubt they will considering that there's a real prospect that no wicket will fall to spin during this match and it'd be unfair to judge a spinner on that sort of pitch...

Agree. Zulfiqar is a decent international spinner and he looks useless on this pitch. Rashid should have another game or two.

 

[angryangy]

Why bother with having a pitch curators and keep paying them. Just build a road where the pitch is, it will all still be the same. The Concrete and stuff will be a one time investment only. Think of the money the ground will save.

are you crazy? Concrete would bounce and reverse swing!

 

[bigred]

Although this match has been disappointing in terms of the pitch, I've enjoyed England not falling apart due to scoreboard pressure. It could have been easy for us to be intimidated by a 500+ score, but the batters have really got stuck in.

What's also clear is that there are only 3 good bowlers between the two sides. Anderson and Broad are outstanding these days and Wahab has that extra zip that will always keep you interested. If Shah comes back in, I think the bowling attacks will be pretty evenly matched.

Dubai will be much like this pitch with slightly more pace. It's the one ground in the UAE that seems to give some assistance to the seamers. Sharjah however will be a different story. I can see England having to drop Wood to make way for Samit in that game. I think we need to win in Dubai as I think Pakistan will be big favourites in the third test.