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[Kulli]

Whitewashed the same Australian side who trashed England in Ashes and then won against Proteas, not what an ordinary team can do.

While I agree with most of what you've said a 'whitewash' is a bit less impressive when it's a 2 test series!

[armie]

While I agree with most of what you've said a 'whitewash' is a bit less impressive when it's a 2 test series!

two test series should be banned.

[Wickets-then-runs]

Young Latham is showing all how it should be done! Brilliant for such a young fellow, an absolute legend in the making!
Without taking anything away from Pakistan as they completely outplayed the Aussies in both Tests and the Kiwis in the first game, the question needs to be asked how much of an advantage is it winning the toss and batting on the UAE pitches?

[Wickets-then-runs]

I reiterate my point from an earlier post:,for ANY team to be considered a GREAT. Team, they not only need to win at home but even more importantly, AWAY from home! The only way to get better is to play more games on these pitches, not less. This is, I believe, part of the reason the IPL will hurt Indian cricket in the long run as so many players are getting a lot of exposure to their wickets and spinners... Overall, change hurts but it is necessary to grow.

[brokenbat]

How's this for a controversial statement: NZ has shown very rapid improvement in the UAE. Aus went from bad (losing to Pak-A, to worse, refusing to change their gameplan). I reckon on these pitches, NZ can beat AUS.

[skip1973]

I don't think it's that simple, it certainly highlights how important the toss is though.

[armie]

Brilliant work by Latham indeed. Good to see some old fashioned application after a while. A lesson for all non-Asian batters on how to deal with such wickets.

[InternalTraining]

I agree with you and made similar points earlier. 

I will reiterate that this kind of variety is good for international cricket as an international sport. Different conditions, different pitches, different styles of play necessary to succeed in different conditions are what makes the sport so exciting. It is a true test of cricketing skills of these international caliber/level players to adjust and thrive in foreign or difficult conditions. God bless The kiwis for putting up a fine batting performance in these conditions. More power to them I say!!

Teams that will make the necessary adjustments to the the conditions will ultimately thrive and be recognized as better international or traveling teams. South Africans have done very well in foreign conditions and are respected by cricketing fans everywhere.

Back after a while and reading this post, i am a bit shocked. A number of people seem to be almost whinging about dead pitches, spinning pitches, batting pitches and blah blah blah. The fact is that conditions are different. if sub-continent road are bad, how about the Aussie concrete slabs? Too much spin may be bad but what about too much bounce?  That is fine coz Aussies win? that is beyond lame.

All teams have the right to take advantage of home conditions and this is Pakistan is doing, live with it folks. If Aussies and Kiwis have been below par, unable to bat out a decent period against a bowling attack barely ten test matches old, may be the bowling wasnt tripe, perhaps the batting was. The over used mantra of "brand of aggressive cricket" didn't help.

As for Pakistani batsmen that are so ordinary yet they managed 13 hundreds in 3 tests, well i guess they are getting their act together. And if Johnson and Siddle aren't good enough to get wickets, they aren't good enough, period. Stop expecting other teams to make fast bouncy pitches so that aussies and kiwis can come in and have the upper hand. the fact is that Aussies were below par and kiwis have often been troubled by Pakistan, even when they themselves were in trouble. This is cricket, someone will play better. While i expect Pakistan to have a tough time in aussie conditions, i see no reason why we should not use our own conditions to our own use. Just like other teams, its our choice to make flat roads or spinning minefields.

[Cover_Drive]

While I agree with most of what you've said a 'whitewash' is a bit less impressive when it's a 2 test series!

Completely agreed, series should have odd number of games.

[Kieron_BT]

Brendon McCullum with a test wicket to his name!

[wasted_talent]

So all the talk about "win toss, win game" maybe totally ill founded. 

[uknsaunders]

So all the talk about "win toss, win game" maybe totally ill founded. 

Don't speak to soon. If the Kiwi's get 200-250+ then they could still run out winners.

[Rob580]

This is just a chance for Ross Taylor to show off what a wonderful player he is!

[brokenbat]

shaping up to be a cracker of a game on day 5

[wasted_talent]

Don't speak to soon. If the Kiwi's get 200-250+ then they could still run out winners.

agreed, but just find it baffling people think its as simple as win toss and win the game. really hope pakistan show otherwise...!