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[kaustav]

The series starts in a week's time. Both the teams look good; 2011 was a very good year for Pakistan as they won all the series they played while England too had a brilliant summer. The venue however is a 'neutral' one. So what are your thoughts on this series?

Who do you think has the upper hand? Will Pakistan continue its progress or will England prove to be just too strong?


Discuss 

[Alvaro]

Ajmal is the key.

[kaustav]

I think the series might be 1-1 with a draw in the middle more so because of the venue.

Ajmal: I love that guy and specially his interviews. He is a quality addition to world cricket in many ways.

[Simmy]

bit gutted bresnan is out

[PM7]

Pakistan can and will hold their own against England in  these conditions. Spin will play a big part and the Pakistanis are streets ahead. Would love to see Monty play a big part in this series.

[mdl_1979]

I expect England to win, though Pakistan will no doubt prove difficult opposition.  I just think that England's bowling superiority will tell over the course of 3 tests.

[Simmy]

keep an eye out for no balls

[Bruce]

keep an eye out for no balls

[PedalsMcgrew]

So who do we think will get the nod over Bresnan? Personally, if we aren't going to go in with 2 spinners then I'd like to see Onions come back in. I can't see that playing Tremlett on these kind of pitches is going to do anyone any good....may as well give him a breather.

[Alvaro]

Finn.
Auditioned in Bangladesh conditions and was England's best bowler in India on the ODI tour.

[alba caerulea]

So who do we think will get the nod over Bresnan? Personally, if we aren't going to go in with 2 spinners then I'd like to see Onions come back in. I can't see that playing Tremlett on these kind of pitches is going to do anyone any good....may as well give him a breather.

I wouldn't play Tremlett if Bresnan was fit but not sure you can call it giving him a breather - when was the last time he bowled?! 2 spinners has got to be the way forward over there, the position England are in I'd like them to continue trying to win matches rather than setting out not to lose and Monty bowled very well for Sussex last year

[Alvaro]

I think they will play the side that just played the ICC lot + Prior.

[PedalsMcgrew]

Finn.
Auditioned in Bangladesh conditions and was England's best bowler in India on the ODI tour.

Fair point, I totally forgot about him!

I wouldn't play Tremlett if Bresnan was fit but not sure you can call it giving him a breather - when was the last time he bowled?! 2 spinners has got to be the way forward over there, the position England are in I'd like them to continue trying to win matches rather than setting out not to lose and Monty bowled very well for Sussex last year

I agree that 2 spinners is probably the way to go but I am unconvinced whether England (who are notoriously defensive) will think the same way. I didn't mean, give Tremlett a breather because he's tired, rather give him a breather, as slogging in on unresponsive wickets with no pace or bounce is just going to put miles on his body with little reward. We have such a wealth of seam bowling talent that it seems a bit daft to 'wear out' a bowler like Tremlett in conditions he's never going to prosper in when we have guys like Onions who's natural length may well suit the pitches better...Tremlett, in helpful conditions, would be first on my teamsheet....

[stevie_94_]

The way finn bowled in India makes me think he should be the one to come in for Besnan

[alba caerulea]

I agree that 2 spinners is probably the way to go but I am unconvinced whether England (who are notoriously defensive) will think the same way. I didn't mean, give Tremlett a breather because he's tired, rather give him a breather, as slogging in on unresponsive wickets with no pace or bounce is just going to put miles on his body with little reward. We have such a wealth of seam bowling talent that it seems a bit daft to 'wear out' a bowler like Tremlett in conditions he's never going to prosper in when we have guys like Onions who's natural length may well suit the pitches better...Tremlett, in helpful conditions, would be first on my teamsheet....

Completely agree with what you say here. Anywhere outside of Asia Tremlett should get the new ball every day of the week! Finn and Bresnan both bowled well against Bangladesh if memory serves me but i'm also a big fan of Onions if theres some help off the seam for him, whoever comes in it won't be easy as they're likely to encounter the dullest pitches they've played on for a long while, could be a runfest!