Cricket : The General Cricket Thread

[denphone]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/9678945.stm

England lose their sixth wicket with Saeed Ajmal nabbing a fourth victim as Pakistan dominate on day one of the first Test in Dubai.

Not a very good start for England on the first day of this series.

[denphone]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/9678945.stm

Saeed Ajmal takes a career best 7-55 as England are bowled out for 192 despite Matt Prior's unbeaten half century on day one of the first Test against Pakistan.

We will need to bowl well now or else we are facing a uphill task.

[denphone]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/16565788.stm

England endured a torrid first day of their Test series against Pakistan as they were bowled out for 192, with off-spinner Saaed Ajmal taking 7-55.

After winning the toss, England slumped to 43-5 in a pulsating opening, before Matt Prior (70) lessened the damage.

Despite the Dubai pitch offering little turn, England could not cope with Ajmal's variations as five batsmen fell lbw and none of the top six passed 24.

Pakistan underlined their supremacy by cruising to 42-0 at the close.

The ease with which Pakistan openers Taufeeq Umar (18) and Mohammad Hafeez (22) dealt with England's attack rounded off a chastening day that underlined just how difficult it will be for Andrew Strauss's men to hold on to their number one status in a year featuring three away series against sides from the subcontinent.

Their vulnerability against spinners was brutally exposed as Ajmal - whose figures were the best of his career - effortlessly took apart a batting order that had spent much of the last year battering the cream of India and Australia into submission

[Mod Edit - please quote excerpts, not entire articles]

[Henkesghost]

Shocker of a first day, Prior the only one with pass marks really. Can't understand only one spinner although batsmen have given them very little to bowl at. Am I right in saying that Pakistan prepared the pitch? If so it was obviously going to turn.

[denphone]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cric...nd/9680034.stm

Stuart Broad removes Taufeeq Umar and Azhar Ali as England check Pakistan's progress on the second day of the first Test in Dubai.

Watching live at the moment apart for Stuart Broad not a lot of wicket action this morning at 176-2 pakistan look set to take a lead in the first innings,the pich is fairly flat though not as flat as some of those in pakistan.

Andersen though has just finished a maiden good stuff.

---------- Post added at 09:42 ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 ----------

Hafeez gone well bowled swann lets have some more.!

[denphone]

Originally Posted by richard1960

Watching live at the moment apart for Stuart Broad not a lot of wicket action this morning at 176-2 pakistan look set to take a lead in the first innings,the pich is fairly flat though not as flat as some of those in pakistan.

Andersen though has just finished a maiden good stuff.

---------- Post added at 09:42 ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 ----------

Hafeez gone well bowled swann lets have some more.!

Yes our under par first innings has certainly left us with a uphill task now Richard and to be perfectly honest we have to limit their lead to no more then 100.

[denphone]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/16612557.stm

England take late wickets to restrict Pakistan to 288-7 at the close on day two of the first Test in Dubai.

England have done quite well to restrict the Pakistanis to that figure after most of our top batsmen flopped,Pakistan will have quite a handy lead if they can get a lead say of 150 then England will have to bat really well in the 2nd innings of the match must remember to set my alarm for 5.30am in time to make a cup of coffee and tune in.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by richard1960

England have done quite well to restrict the Pakistanis to that figure after most of our top batsmen flopped,Pakistan will have quite a handy lead if they can get a lead say of 150 then England will have to bat really well in the 2nd innings of the match must remember to set my alarm for 5.30am in time to make a cup of coffee and tune in.

Well l am usually up by 5.00 being a early riser but if England can get the rest of the wickets early tomorrow then score around 400 then they still have a chance to win this game Richard.

Originally Posted by denphone

Well l am usually up by 5.00 being a early riser but if England can get the rest of the wickets early tomorrow then score around 400 then they still have a chance to win this game Richard.

Yes denphone England are still in this game but they have to stop the tail wagging even more first thing,then go on to bat a lot better 2nd time around still plenty of time left in the match and if the pitch wears a bit it might suit the England bowlers better particularly swan who may get the ball to turn a bit more.

Look forward to the next few days of the match.

[Henkesghost]

Yep a fantastic fightback. One thing this side have proved over the past few years is that they've got guts. Skittle them out for another 50 - 70 runs and it's very winnable.

[denphone]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cric...nd/9681048.stm

England begin their second innings trailing Pakistan by 146 on the third day of the first Test in Dubai.

England seem to be slipping a bit 35 for 3 with Strauss,cook and Pietersen, all back in the hutch if they are to win this one the batsmen will have to sart performing.

And still trailing by 111 not looking good.

Another one bites the dust Bell now gone as well.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by richard1960

England seem to be slipping a bit 35 for 3 with Strauss,cook and Pietersen, all back in the hutch if they are to win this one the batsmen will have to sart performing.

And still trailing by 111 not looking good.

Another one bites the dust Bell now gone as well.

This has been a disaster from start to finish in this test and lets hope this is not a prelude to the whole series.