Pakistan - A- 2024.

[Oldhasbeen]

Recall for Dom Bess .

The forgotten man of England Test cricket

[nat]

Recall for Dom Bess .

The forgotten man of England Test cricket

Signed a new contract with Yawkshur otherwise we should have signed him.

[Andy]

Perhaps I'm biased but Critchley is by far the best leg spinner I've seen this season- certainly better than Parkinson or the kid from Leicester with the added bonus of his batting and fielding. That said of course he'll never play for England obviously.

He needed more runs?or fewer in this bazball era it is better not to do well at county level.

[bwildered]

 Joe Root becomes England highest run scorer, overtaking Sir Chef. Congratulations to him. You have to be a class player to hold these sort of records .

Was wondering how long Gooch / Cook have held this record, up until today ? A record our club should be upmost proud.

[Oldhasbeen]

336 off 67 overs. It's Test cricket Jim, but not as we (used to) know it.
I have  my reservations about some of the Bazball-era selections and tactics, but for entertainment it sure as hell beat the the days of pad, prod and prey when Spoons was at the helm.

[Andy]

Joe Root becomes England highest run scorer, overtaking Sir Chef. Congratulations to him. You have to be a class player to hold these sort of records .

Was wondering how long Gooch / Cook have held this record, up until today ? A record our club should be upmost proud.

Got a lot of time for Root, unlike most Yorkies. Like Gooch and Chef not a great captain but all three had to shoulder the responsibility of run scoring along with captaincy demands. 

JR is a more complete batsman than Chef, ignoring the silly ramp shots, and has been more consistent at international level than Gooch was although that was a different era. Comparing with the likes of Tendulkar is similarly difficult because of biased umpiring in those days.  Not sure whether the likes of Brook will match Root as I think the latter is one that comes along once a generation.

[pablo]

Not sure that this test is doing test cricket any favours again although I suppose England still have a very remote chance of victory. Playing not one but two games in this ground on two likely shirtfronts in 100+ degrees of heat in a provincial stadium. Why no tests in Karachi or Islamabad- the two main centres of population and where conditions are likely to be more equable?
Although plenty of runs are being scored it's still a bit like watching paint dry.

[dazedpenguin]

Not sure that this test is doing test cricket any favours again although I suppose England still have a very remote chance of victory. Playing not one but two games in this ground on two likely shirtfronts in 100+ degrees of heat in a provincial stadium. Why no tests in Karachi or Islamabad- the two main centres of population and where conditions are likely to be more equable?
Although plenty of runs are being scored it's still a bit like watching paint dry.

That was a great batting performance by Crawley, Duckett, Root and Brook to score at close to 5 an over all day. But even if England got to 700 or so and declared just after lunch, I can't see the Pakistan batting crumbling. But then they do have a poor recent record, so there's always a chance.

I think the test got moved from Karachi because of ground preparations for next year's Champions Trophy. But both teams are going to be knackered with just a 4 day turnaround for the second test on the same ground. I don't think we're going to get a green top, so almost certainly more of the same.

[Oldhasbeen]

Pablo, you certainly have a point. Sadly, I suspect we are not playing at the big cities due to security issues. 
Good to see our guys in the runs,  but I'd rather see a balance between bat and ball

[Andy]

Not sure that this test is doing test cricket any favours again although I suppose England still have a very remote chance of victory. Playing not one but two games in this ground on two likely shirtfronts in 100+ degrees of heat in a provincial stadium. Why no tests in Karachi or Islamabad- the two main centres of population and where conditions are likely to be more equable?
Although plenty of runs are being scored it's still a bit like watching paint dry.

But is it not the case that the PCB engineers shirt front wickets if they are not confident about their team, therefore the venue is almost irrelevant? TBF PK is a highly populated nation, so bringing Tests to the provinces may have some benefits for engendering interest?

[SirChef26]

All going to script so far. Another couple of sessions boshing it about then Pakistan will fold like a deck of cards as always.

[bwildered]

 Cricket from a bygone age.
Highest partnership for England in test cricket,  Brook and Root highest test scores, and Root becoming England top run scorer has records tumble galore.
Highest score by visiting test side .

[SirChef26]

...

England are still in this.

I'll have a cheeky bet with you that they aren't.

I would take that bet with you. Never ever underestimate the ability of Pakistan to totally meltdown in the blink of an eye.

In case you're wondering Nat...no I won't be cashing out early!

[nat]

Hmmm...
...
any chance of rain?

[Andy]

Hmmm...
...
any chance of rain?

Ah, but the leg spinner is in hospital so cannot bat. Maybe there is a get out clause for force majeur?