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[The_Bird]

Squeaky bum time?


 

[Alvaro]

I love cricket.

[wasted_talent]

Great win for Pakistan this, especially so given their last test match saw them lose to the mighty Zimb! Saffers looked totally ill prepared after some 6 months of no test cricket

[Gerry SA]

There's no excuse for poor planning for the Proteas.

They knew they'd be touring the UAE some 6 months ago.

Playing no competitive cricket for 3/4 months was a huge mistake

Couple with Smith, Kallis and Steyn returning to white clothes cricket after soo long. 

[wasted_talent]

Pakistan struggling at 60/4
Personally I am surprised they decided to bat first after winning the toss, given the way the first test panned out. If they are bowled out for under 250, they'll be fighting to stay in the match for the remainder of it.

[400notout]

With the spin options Pakistan have, it would be ridiculous for them to not bat first and bowl last on a wearing day 5 pitch...

[wasted_talent]

With the spin options Pakistan have, it would be ridiculous for them to not bat first and bowl last on a wearing day 5 pitch...

I dont agree with that view, given what happened in the 1st test, where the conditions/pitch were favourable for bowling, the same seems true this time around. Cant see how they can justify batting first if they are now 60/5..! 

[wasted_talent]

Make that 60/6... 

[400notout]

In the UAE, where conditions favour spin, when you boast (arguably) two of the best spinners around at the moment I don't see why you would lessen the opportunity for them to bowl in favourable conditions.
It's a good aggressive move for Pak to bat first despite apparent conditions. If they are under par but in the end set SA anything more that 100 in the 4th innings on day 4/5 they will back themselves. I think they have made the right decisions. Just not backed it up with the bat!

[wasted_talent]

In the UAE, where conditions favour spin, when you boast (arguably) two of the best spinners around at the moment I don't see why you would lessen the opportunity for them to bowl in favourable conditions.
It's a good aggressive move for Pak to bat first despite apparent conditions. If they are under par but in the end set SA anything more that 100 in the 4th innings on day 4/5 they will back themselves. I think they have made the right decisions. Just not backed it up with the bat!

Yeh fair point, I just think with their brittle batting lineup, they have shot themselves in the foot now. As their bowlers are good but not miracle workers. My view would be bowl first, assuming conditions are favourable (which they must be?), restrict oppo to under 300 and then bat on days 2 & 3 when batting conditions arguably at their best.

If you look at the stats of this ground, only once have a team scored 300+ in the first innings, and that was SA.

[csnew]

Couple of straight balls being missed there 

[Tumo]

Pleased for Tahir - yes, he had a shocker last time out but that happens to an awful lot of people, remember a certain SK Warne going for loads early on for him? Not managed to see any but will watch the highlights. Going by cricinfo he has bowled very well, in conditions offering just a little for him. Just goes to show that there is hope for those that have a poor outing - will we see Krezja play for Australia again, going by this? At least Kerrigan has something to aim for now, although on the subject of him I think England have done poorly by leaving him out and picking Monty, who has had an average season by anyone's standards...

[dirkbat]

Smith wearing new 2014 adidas spikes !!!!!

[400notout]

Paks batting can go from sublime to horrendous in the space of a few hours.
Expect SA to rack up a lead with 2/3 down max today.

[Gerry SA]

Alviro Petersen living on borrowed time one may think.

Since the tour of England, he's not been able to buy a run.

Dean Elgar, deputising for Hash in this Test, is a specialist opener/3 so a good performance here will see him take Alviro place ahead for the home series' with India and Australia.