Cricket fred

[Banquo]

It's a very spinner-friendly pitch, he's a new spin bowler that the oppo hasn't had a chance to analyse yet, and he has had a bit of luck. Even with all those caveats, this is a very useful start for the young man. Lots of hard work ahead of him to improve faster than people analyse him, but still a very promising talent.

Puja

Not sure its uber spinner friendly tbh by sub continent standards. But I do wonder why he wasn't twirling a bit earlier.

I agree shouldn't get too excited. Ah hell, new messiah has arrived, woo hoo.

[Puja]

It's a very spinner-friendly pitch, he's a new spin bowler that the oppo hasn't had a chance to analyse yet, and he has had a bit of luck. Even with all those caveats, this is a very useful start for the young man. Lots of hard work ahead of him to improve faster than people analyse him, but still a very promising talent.

Puja

Not sure its uber spinner friendly tbh by sub continent standards. But I do wonder why he wasn't twirling a bit earlier.

I agree shouldn't get too excited. Ah hell, new messiah has arrived, woo hoo.

Arundell and Ahmed for King and Prime Minister!

Puja

[Banquo]

It's a very spinner-friendly pitch, he's a new spin bowler that the oppo hasn't had a chance to analyse yet, and he has had a bit of luck. Even with all those caveats, this is a very useful start for the young man. Lots of hard work ahead of him to improve faster than people analyse him, but still a very promising talent.

Puja

Not sure its uber spinner friendly tbh by sub continent standards. But I do wonder why he wasn't twirling a bit earlier.

I agree shouldn't get too excited. Ah hell, new messiah has arrived, woo hoo.

Arundell and Ahmed for King and Prime Minister!

Puja

And why not!! Maybe it is a great plan to back talent rather than worry about Farrell

These openers aren’t going to die wondering!!

[Puja]

Not sure its uber spinner friendly tbh by sub continent standards. But I do wonder why he wasn't twirling a bit earlier.

I agree shouldn't get too excited. Ah hell, new messiah has arrived, woo hoo.

Arundell and Ahmed for King and Prime Minister!

Puja

And why not!! Maybe it is a great plan to back talent rather than worry about Farrell

These openers aren’t going to die wondering!!

Going at nearly 10 an over!

Previous generations would've knuckled down and tried to build a cautious score on a deteriorating pitch with a dangerous spinner against them - 167 would've been a challenging 4th innings total and slow scoring and regular wickets would've put every batsmen right under pressure. Today, Pakistan are reeling from 64-0 after 7 overs and are concentrating on trying to stop us winning it today, rather than applying pressure. I still worry about how it will hold up against Australia, but every test this approach's faced so far has been passed with flying colours.

Puja

[Banquo]

Arundell and Ahmed for King and Prime Minister!

Puja

And why not!! Maybe it is a great plan to back talent rather than worry about Farrell

These openers aren’t going to die wondering!!

Going at nearly 10 an over!

Previous generations would've knuckled down and tried to build a cautious score on a deteriorating pitch with a dangerous spinner against them - 167 would've been a challenging 4th innings total and slow scoring and regular wickets would've put every batsmen right under pressure. Today, Pakistan are reeling from 64-0 after 7 overs and are concentrating on trying to stop us winning it today, rather than applying pressure. I still worry about how it will hold up against Australia, but every test this approach's faced so far has been passed with flying colours.

Puja

Think if we play conservatively v oz we would get hammered anyway so crack on!

[Banquo]

cursed crawley

[Banquo]

lol, ahmed comes in and smacks first ball for 4. love it

[Banquo]

although I kind of get promoting him, possibly needed a bit of a more measured approach

[Banquo]

Stokes comes out swinging too. doesnt keep his bat tho

[Puja]

although I kind of get promoting him, possibly needed a bit of a more measured approach

I mean, at this point it's almost a bit of fun. the game is pretty much put to bed, and he's probably not going to stay in the XI for the next test (as I'd imagine we'll likely go for the more measured and experienced Leach when playing away in NZ (although at this rate, who knows?!)), so may as well let him have a bat to finish off his debut.

Puja

[Banquo]

although I kind of get promoting him, possibly needed a bit of a more measured approach

I mean, at this point it's almost a bit of fun. the game is pretty much put to bed, and he's probably not going to stay in the XI for the next test (as I'd imagine we'll likely go for the more measured and experienced Leach when playing away in NZ (although at this rate, who knows?!)), so may as well let him have a bat to finish off his debut.

Puja

I just thought having played two top class shots, it was a chance to settle and bed himself into test cricket; he already has a 1st class ton to his name- the big wahoo wasn’t really needed. I’d pick him for NZ.

[Banquo]

Pakistan may not be all that, but our cricket has been superb.

[Galfon]

Some incredible stats from this series - just shows what belief and positivity from real leadership can bring, whilst accepting the opponents are in a different place in their 'cycle'..
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/64035655
If you could just bottle it, well Eng have some good history of that..

[Banquo]

also.....Duckett, Pope, Brook, Robinson have really cemented their places and Ahmed is very exciting; Foakes has to play. YJB will struggle to get back in, as no-one is dropping Root. If Stokes can sort his knee and bowling out it would be great- but probably can't rely on that. Wood and Anderson did well.

Jury still out on Crawley, and Leach will be disappointed with his average despite taking the most wickets.

Very very positive, but exciting work in progress.

[fivepointer]

Fantastic cricket from England. This wasnt a vintage Pakistan side but to win 3-0 over there is quite some achievement. That they played such thrilling cricket to do so is the icing on the cake.
Next up is a very different challenge in NZ. Fascinating to see if they can perform the same way under very different conditions.

[Banquo]

Fantastic cricket from England. This wasnt a vintage Pakistan side but to win 3-0 over there is quite some achievement. That they played such thrilling cricket to do so is the icing on the cake.
Next up is a very different challenge in NZ. Fascinating to see if they can perform the same way under very different conditions.

No-one has whitewashed Pakistan at home before. Very impressive.

[Banquo]

Have to slightly temper our enthusiasm over the result given NZ have just racked up 600+ in Pakistan (tho Pakistan scored 400 + themselves)....albeit much more slowly than us.

[Banquo]

'sporting declaration' from Babar. Good to see, and good to see NZ having a crack.

[Galfon]

Eng such a tease.Smashing start chasing a big target, then 3 go in 2 overs...hopefully a few older heads will steady the ship.

[Galfon]

Although a red dubber, good to avoid a whitewash and play some good stuff - Buttler can turn any game on it's head, and Archer looks like he's back in the groove with a sixfer and best economy.
Moeen may have started something with his tennis shot..

[Banquo]

Although a red dubber, good to avoid a whitewash and play some good stuff - Buttler can turn any game on it's head, and Archer looks like he's back in the groove with a sixfer and best economy.
Moeen may have started something with his tennis shot..

Definitely need to get our bowling sh*t together and was unfortunate that Brooks and Duckett didn't do much. Buttler is such a class one dayer, annoying he never managed to really translate that to tests a la Gilly.

[Banquo]

Bazball max today

[Banquo]

Blundell huge thorn in side again....Anderson and Robinson carrying the attack again. Leach again under pressure.

[Galfon]

Off at a lick, but pity about the late wickets.
Keeps the contest near the balance but Eng in a good place.
The 'owd fai'fulls continue to deliver, ball in hand

[Puja]

Looks like it's a really well-balanced test, which is encouraging against one of the best teams in the world.

Puja