England Cricket vs Pakistan (in UAE)

killerandflash

dickplumb said:

Pitches like this will kill Test cricket. It is an unequal struggle between bat and ball.

It might be for Cook, but Bell has hardly found it easy out there and it will be interesting how Bairstow, Stokes and Buttler get on!

Addick Addict

Bell reaches his half century

234-1 (87)

Cook 133* (262)
Bell 51* (136)

Their spinners are now 44-11-100-0

North Lower Neil

killerandflash said:

dickplumb said:

Pitches like this will kill Test cricket. It is an unequal struggle between bat and ball.

It might be for Cook, but Bell has hardly found it easy out there and it will be interesting how Bairstow, Stokes and Buttler get on!

If they get on!

Chizz

dickplumb said:

I think there is a case for Taylor for Bell. Bell has not scored enough runs for a while now. He looks shot mentally.

When would you make that replacement? Before the first test? (In which case there would seem little point in picking him for the tour; thus ending his career, two matches after he's stepped up to number three in the order and won the Ashes, yet again). Or would you drop him after the first Test?

Bangkokaddick

Not bothered to turn the TV on. Dour game in front of crowd that seems more suitable for a midweek county game. Really cannot get enthusiastic.

Addick Addict

Bangkokaddick said:

Not bothered to turn the TV on. Dour game in front of crowd that seems more suitable for a midweek county game. Really cannot get enthusiastic.

You really don't know what you're missing!

cfgs

Addick Addict said:

Bangkokaddick said:

Not bothered to turn the TV on. Dour game in front of crowd that seems more suitable for a midweek county game. Really cannot get enthusiastic.

You really don't know what you're missing!

Think people are spoilt of late this is proper test cricket.

Don't watch it if you don't want to, but TMS is essential.

Leuth

Misbah has a right to be fecking livid after that not-out review

Atletico Addick

This is mesmerisingly boring.

Addick Addict

Cook dropped in the outfield off a top edge.

Addick Addict

And then gets his 150.

dickplumb

I would replace Bell if he didn't score runs in this series.

Addick Addict

I find it all quite therapeutic.

Callumcafc

Poor pitch... But I'd rather we were 258-1 than 258 all out and complaining about a poor team.

Addick Addict

Bell goes for 63 (199) throwing his bat at a wide one from Wahab and is caught at backward point.

282-2

Cook 167* (311)

Addick Addict

England send in Wood as night watchman. Why?

Pedro45

Wood out. Collapso-time!

Addick Addict

And that is why I questioned why we sent Wood in. All it means is that we have given them a cheap wicket on a track that isn't doing a thing.

If we can't trust our front line batsmen on this then we never will.

Atletico Addick

The nightwatchsman malarky is taken over board at times, overkilled at times like today - Joe Root will have no problem batting out a few overs and starting again tomorrow - Wood would just be a big pile of nerves. I understand it on an edgy pitch but this is giving the bowlers nothing. Hopefully Cook & Root can build on this tomorrow , regardless of the state of the pitch it's good to see partnerships formed for England.

Addick Addict

290-3 at close. 233 behind.

Cook 168* (329)
Root 3* (3)

killerandflash

So Cook has been out in the middle for 3 days continuously now!

North Lower Neil

Well played Cook, more of the same tomorrow please!

killerandflash

North Lower Neil said:

Well played Cook, more of the same tomorrow please!

I bet Jimmy and Broady will be hoping he bats until the end of the 5th day!

North Lower Neil

On for the stattos, has anyone ever been on field for the full 5 days?

Leuth

Cook took a break yesterday tbf

Pedro45

North Lower Neil said:

On for the stattos, has anyone ever been on field for the full 5 days?

Don't think so, but our Geoffrey did bat on all five days of a test match once! Not sure that anyone else has ever done that?

MrOneLung

not a test but the opener Cook carried his bat in both innings in this match

http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1980S/1989/ENG_LOCAL/CC/NOTTS_SOMERSET_CC_19-21JUL1989.html

killerandflash

MrOneLung said:

not a test but the opener Cook carried his bat in both innings in this match

http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1980S/1989/ENG_LOCAL/CC/NOTTS_SOMERSET_CC_19-21JUL1989.html

I'm guessing that's Jimmy Cook, an incredible performance when compared to the rest of his team!

Addick Addict

In match to date:

Quickies: 131-28-357-11

Spinners: 130-20-426-0

I wonder if there has ever been worse figures for spinners in a Test match?

McBobbin

MrOneLung said:

not a test but the opener Cook carried his bat in both innings in this match

http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1980S/1989/ENG_LOCAL/CC/NOTTS_SOMERSET_CC_19-21JUL1989.html

Worth it for the name "Field-Buss"