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[Dan W]

There is clearly no number one side in the world right now after the Aussie era; one or two series wins does not make a team 'great' though the ranking might show them to be numero uno. We found that with India with zero overseas credentials when they became 'number one' and now with England. I think the Aussies and the WI before them have spoiled us by raising the bar too high.

^ Couldn't agree with this more. A great era to live in!

Pakistan were great to win in the conditions of their home-ban and recent betting scandals. Just a shame they lost so many potentially great years to cheap and crooked cheating/betting scams.

England can take full credit or their loss too - they were mesmorised the type of which I I haven't seen since Warne.

I've always said this, but I've never rated Peiterson. A player who scores runs when everyone else does and the wind is behind him, but I can't remember any innings he has 'saved', and I really think that makes him an unfortunate unique in modern memory. I really dislike him as a cricketer.

[qalib13]

Really don't know what you are on about. I never mentioned anything about swann and ponting. Broads shot was a poor shot considering the circumstances and I don't remember Pontings but I'm sure that was probably poor shot selection too. So go attack someone else sore loser.

And I most certainly would call all out for 72 poor batting

I know you didn't mention Swann & Ponting, I used this as an example of a similar delivery getting two different evaluations. Swann bowled Ponting through the gate with a beauty and so did Rehman. One is deemed a great bowl and the other deemed poor batting, i just dont understand it.

As for attacking you, I didn't mean anything personal by it old chap, just highlighting the double standards when it comes to cricket. Sorry if you took it personally.

By the way i'm Pakistan fan, not an Aussie. 

[100 not out]

The problem in this series has been that the England batting has not been able to cope with Pakistani spin bowling. It's not a new phenomenon England have a history against spin ( I mean mystery spin) in Asian conditions.

[Nickauger]

It is not the Sub Continent, it is the Middle East, and Australia have never lost a series there.

Are you for real? You are a bigger troll than JonPinson and Lekka put together!

[armie]

I agree, England have peaked similar to 2005 and are heading back down again.

And at that time, they had lost to Pakisan as well.

[basket case]

England's main problem is that they all ways want to play of the back foot. In these conditions, the pitches don't allow this to be possible. Moreso The Sky comms harp on about Bell, KP, Morgan being 'good players of spin' but that's not the case. Playing spin well in England isn't a good indicator. Days 1-3 in England theres little to no spin. So basically the spinner is just a slow bowler. In terms of facing slow bowlers, England are fine. Facing real spin, England are pretty much clueless. Matches in the sub continent since march 2001, 18 Tests vs Pak, Ind or SL and they won once. Mumbai 2006. Please I selected the 3 major Asian teams. Bangladesh are excluded.

[Cover_Drive]

It is not the Sub Continent, it is the Middle East, and Australia have never lost a series there.

Australia were clueless to Afridi and Ajmal but they came back quickly and read there art.

So they did a good comeback but didn't lose the series.

[basket case]

The pitches in the UAE are imported from Pakistan, so they are sub contintental.

[Cover_Drive]

The pitches in the UAE are imported from Pakistan, so they are sub contintental.

Hain? How they are imported from Pakistan?

The curator is ICC's, weather is different (it might be similar if you say) etc.

LAstly it is neutral venue and both teams have equal advantages and disadvantages.

[basket case]

Hain? How they are imported from Pakistan?

The curator is ICC's, weather is different (it might be similar if you say) etc.

LAstly it is neutral venue and both teams have equal advantages and disadvantages.

Due to Pakistan playing away from home, their board supplies the pitches. ICC groundsman has to ensure the pitch is suitable. Botham mentioned the origins of the pitch after the match. Despite the series being held on neutral grounds, it's a home series for Pakistan.

[turnitayard]

we have always had problems with real spinners,especially bell he couldnt handle muralitharan or warne, morgan for me looks well out of his depth,bell peterson and morgan not getting runs is where are big problems are

[Cover_Drive]

Due to Pakistan playing away from home, their board supplies the pitches. ICC groundsman has to ensure the pitch is suitable. Botham mentioned the origins of the pitch after the match. Despite the series being held on neutral grounds, it's a home series for Pakistan.

I'm not too sure about PCB supplying pitches to be honest.

Never heard that, regardless that doesn't matter

[alba caerulea]

I've always said this, but I've never rated Peiterson. A player who scores runs when everyone else does and the wind is behind him, but I can't remember any innings he has 'saved', and I really think that makes him an unfortunate unique in modern memory. I really dislike him as a cricketer.

Who would you select in his place?

[The_Bird]

His 150 @ the Oval arguably won us the Ashes in '05, England have been crying out for someone unique, different and ballsy since the dawn of time shame he gets the flack when other batsmen look equally enept facing spin as well. His downfall is the English media who love to destroy anyone slightly arrogant.

[Buzz]

on the pitches in Dubai, they have been made from imported Pakistani clay/soil, so while they pitches are not imported in their entirety, their base is as you can't really have a square on sand, as they found out at the viv Richards stadium...