Enjoying the cricket in Pakistan

[Barrera]

Something about getting up on a cold Sunday morning with the Test cricket on … and England playing this entertaining style. Not sure we are going to win this one in Karachi, but great seeing the England batsmen going for their shots rather than just blocking and waiting to get out … as in years gone by. Harry Brook in his first series looks like an awesome player …. And Inthought the new 18 y/o spinner Rehan looked more threatening than Leach … even though Leach took more wickets …. Roll on Ashes next summer

[mickd1961]

Brook is a fantastic player, I was in here advocating for him to play last summer, we’ve wasted a summer of his talent already.

Yet another 100 from England’s next captain after Stokes and the player who will break all records set by Cook and Root in my opinion.

Young Rehman as well, looks born to Test cricket.

The lad can bat as well and if he can show his true potential with the bat we have a world class all rounder for the next two decades.

He has the potential to be the highest Test wicket taker of all time having started so young.

I’m not a great fan of Leach though, he struggles to take wickets for less than 35 a piece and doesn’t get many top order men out.

Always strikes me as a bloke who knows he’s an imposter and shouldn’t really be there.

So refreshing to see England taking chances on such young players, I’ve never seen the like of this before.



We’ll probably win this match as well because that’s what we do now, we just attack other sides even when we look down .

[Barrera]

Rehan was a bit rash with the bat … showing his inexperience … but has time on his side and will learn.

Agree on Leach …. just bowls darts … little turn … not much threat. Surprised we keep persisting with him tbh.

[Barrera]

Good to see the large Albion / England flag set out on the boundary edge … and ironically one from Rotherham too

[mickd1961]

Almost immediately I turn on the TV Brook is out......this is why I hate watching any teams I support live.

Leach averages just over 3 wickets per match at 34.52, not good enough in my opinion.

Only averages 13 with the bat despite a 92 in one innings.

I’d be looking at the best young off spinner who can bat and giving them an extended run.

I feel that nowadays there’s no excuse for a bowler not to be able to bat, EVERY player should have all rounder ability.

I used to love the days when we had Broad batting at 9, Swann at 10 and for a long period we had Anderson at 11 who had the longest run of “not out’s” in our history I think?

For a long period Broad was my favourite England batsman, if he hadn’t been hit so badly in the face by that bouncer I think he’d have had an average in the mid 30’s, he was a joy to watch with his stroke play.

I believe a time will come when teams bat right down to number 11, if you can find a number 11 who averages 20+ you’ll become a very difficult side to beat.

[kettering_baggie]

There will be a debate about how the fit Jonny Bairstow back into the team; I hope they don’t drop Ben Foakes and give Bairstow the gloves, Foakes has done more than enough with bat and as wicketkeeper to justify his place.

[mickd1961]

There will be a debate about how the fit Jonny Bairstow back into the team; I hope they don’t drop Ben Foakes and give Bairstow the gloves, Foakes has done more than enough with bat and as wicketkeeper to justify his place.

A fully fit Bairstow replaces Duckett or Crawley for me and opens during The Ashes.

Broad needs to come back in as well if fit and firing instead of Wood or Leach who I really don’t rate.

[WBA1955]

I would sooner stay in bed on a cold Sunday morning than get up to watch that s hit.🤣
I had a full English and watched The Forest Rangers when I got up.

[Barrera]

Duckett for me has done enough to get a run in the side. Crawley is a flat track bully … too inconsistent when there is something in the wicket for the bowlers. Bairstow had a bad injury - still not sure how he managed to break his leg and dislocate his ankle playing golf. Will have to play himself back in … but if he gets himself back to last summer’s form then he’s a definite.

Dare I say but Root has been inconsistent of late … but has credit in the bank.

Foakes is the best keeper by a country mile and half decent with the bat.

The fast bowling is ok is all fit .. perm any three from Jimmy, B-road, Robinson, Wood and if fit Stone and Archer.

Should be an good Ashes summer.

[mickd1961]

Young Rehman, 5 second innings wickets at around 8 a piece! 😎

A total of 7 wickets in the match for him at under 20 runs a piece I think.

Nasser Hussain said he shouldn’t play in this match and that England should keep a winning team.......over to you Kets! 🤣

[kettering_baggie]

I’m really pleased for the lad, getting a five wicket haul in that Pakistan second innings. Just shows that ‘Mistra Know It All’ Nasser Hussain doesn’t know it all after all!

I don’t know why they sent him in to slog his own wicket away, though?

[mickd1961]

I’m really pleased for the lad, getting a five wicket haul in that Pakistan second innings. Just shows that ‘Mistra Know It All’ Nasser Hussain doesn’t know it all after all!

I don’t know why they sent him in to slog his own wicket away, though?

I agree with that Kets.

I’d have sent him in with 10 or 15 needed.

Such a pleasure to have seen us go out there and absolutely kick their a r s e s though, usually a bore fest in Pakistan but Stokes and McCullum have broken a 120 year mould.

[Yarmbaggie]

I agree with that Kets.

I’d have sent him in with 10 or 15 needed.

Such a pleasure to have seen us go out there and absolutely kick their a r s e s though, usually a bore fest in Pakistan but Stokes and McCullum have broken a 120 year mould.

Agree totally although as I was explaining to my Aussie grandkids we have only been playing Pakistan with any regularity since the 1960s, with just one Test series before then in 1954 when Pakistan toured England.

Yes they have broken the mould and even the Pakistani crowds have come back to see it, but the mould is only 60 years old or so. That said even the cocky Aussies over here are starting to rethink their predicted white wash in the next Ashes series in the summer.

[mickd1961]

Agree totally although as I was explaining to my Aussie grandkids we have only been playing Pakistan with any regularity since the 1960s, with just one Test series before then in 1954 when Pakistan toured England.

Yes they have broken the mould and even the Pakistani crowds have come back to see it, but the mould is only 60 years old or so. That said even the cocky Aussies over here are starting to rethink their predicted white wash in the next Ashes series in the summer.

The Aussie bowling attack could easily find us out Yarm.

Cummins and Starc are absolute top draw as is Lyon and Boland will be really problematic on our wickets.

Add Hazelwood if fit and they have a quality attack.

We struggle to get Labushagne and Smith out and Head is at the top of his game.

I just don’t think we can be so “gung ho” with them.

We could do with them getting a couple of key injuries before they tour.

I hate watching Smith bat and he’s such a smug t w a t, I’d like to see him have a nightmare this time around.

[Yarmbaggie]

The Aussie bowling attack could easily find us out Yarm.

Cummins and Starc are absolute top draw as is Lyon and Boland will be really problematic on our wickets.

Add Hazelwood if fit and they have a quality attack.

We struggle to get Labushagne and Smith out and Head is at the top of his game.

I just don’t think we can be so “gung ho” with them.

We could do with them getting a couple of key injuries before they tour.

I hate watching Smith bat and he’s such a smug t w a t, I’d like to see him have a nightmare this time around.

Off to Optus stadium on Boxing Day to see Scorchers.

Funny what you say about Smith even most of the Aussies don’t like him now and most really hate Warner.

Labushange could maybe be the best batsman in the world on current form. Certainly between him and Brook.

The Aussies have a great bowling line up and have to say I think it will be a brilliant series. Disappointed to miss out on tickets in the ballot for
The Ashes but will be close imo and really looking forward to it.

[Barrera]

It’s the Aussie bowling attack which worries me … Cummins, Starc, Hazelwood and Lyon … not much weakness there. Mind their batsmen often struggle in English conditions.

Heard some talk on TMS about holding back Rehan for the Ashes and giving Leach the spinner’s role as a holding job. Can’t see McCullam and Stokes buying that.