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[smilley792]

2nd test of there serious ont he go at mo, and looks like pakistan on top again.

580 for 6dec vs 22 for 1


Plus I. The first test aus lost quite big.

The aus side doesn't seem quite as intimidating as the one that beat England down(England were extra dire).

David Warner (W)
Chris Rogers
Steven Smith
Michael Clarke (C)
Glenn Maxwell
Mitchell Marsh
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Johnson
Peter Siddle
Nathan Lyon


Apart from Warner Clarke and Johnson, there isn't the test wow factory in there.

Are they carrying injuries??(Harris, Watson?)
Is smith really a test no,3?
Is Glenn maxwell a test player?(he's failed at t20 in the last 9months, which is his stringer format)
Is haddin still good enough? Or time to replace?

Or is it merely the pitches in Abu Dhabi just not suited to the Aussies as much as the Pakistanis.

[Twelfth Man]

Slow, spinning wickets is always going to favour Pakistan. Steve Smith is under rated, give him the ball and see whether he'll run with it! He is thought of as the next Skipper after all. Watson's got the best bowling average from any Australian in Asia since 2007, around 25 I think? Whilst everybody else is over 35+. Plus he'd slot in the batting line up nicely. Ryan Harris is in the top 5 (3?) test bowlers in the world. Maybe a little like England without Jimmy?

If the exact same sides played each other on Australian soil it would most probably be the opposite outcome. It's just the home advantage which you're allowed!

[Twelfth Man]

I'd like to see Peter Nevill called up if they do decide on replacing Haddin. He or Sam Whiteman would be fresh, just please do not go with Matt Wade!!!

[smilley792]

So aus were 261 all out.

Batting line up changed due to night watchmen lion at 3. Maxwell 4 clarke 5 Smith 6 and Marsh 7.

Maxwell was second top scorer with 37 from 27 balls.  Doesn't seem a normal test number 4 innings.
Anyone from aus no what sort of role he's been asked to play? Is he a pitch hitter? Or a case off just not able to rein in his style?

[Manormanic]

Johnson and Harris transform an otherwise extremely average Australian side into something better; shorn of Harris by injury and most of Johnson's threat by the sluggish pitches, they can't cover up their other shortcomings - holes in the batting order, an ageing keeper and a spinner plucked from the clubs.  Yes, it would probabaly be a different result in Australia, but you doubt it would be this...overwhelming.

[tim2000s]

However, if England were to play this Australian side in Pakistan, what would the outcome be?

[WalkingWicket37]

However, if England were to play this Australian side in Pakistan, what would the outcome be?

Some village cricket!

[TopShot]

I'd say the results would be very similar. The games would just be a lot more boring...

[joeljonno]

Misbah.

Fastest fifty in test cricket - 21 balls.

This series is just getting better, for those who want Aussies to get stuffed. :-)

[ppccopener]

That's a turn up for the books,old slow hand breaking the fastest 50 record
Is it true his coach told him to put on weight?? :-)
As well as younis khan getting dropped before the series ,then telling the selectors to get stuffed-then gets recalled and hits ton,ton,double Ton
And now refuses to speak to the Pakistan cricket board?
You could'nt make it up...
Pakistan cricket always throws up some strange goings on
And the aussies are getting hammered
Absolutley marvellous!!
 

[Jenko]

Australia are playing at the moment? Haven't seen it so it hasn't happened

[joeljonno]

Just so you can't say that ...

http://m.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-australia-2014/engine/match/727929.html

Looks like he is starting to tire. Don't think he'll break Viv's fastest 100 now.

[petehosk]

Blimey! 
Just had a look at the scores. Really pleased that Azhar Ali is batting well! Met him twice now and he carried my bat bag to nets. He is such a lovely genuine bloke and netting with him was an experience! He's almost at his second ton in two knocks......go on fella! 

[Manormanic]

However, if England were to play this Australian side in Pakistan, what would the outcome be?

Well, the conditions are not massively different to those in the 2013 Home Ashes series so you'd tend to back England in a close series, on the basis that Australia no longer have the opening pair that terrorised England during the 2013/4 series but do still have the brittle batting line up. 

[petehosk]

Aussies need over 600 runs as Pakistan declare! Can't see that happening, but will be interesting to see who grits it out and gets runs.