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[rickjames]

Regardling of team selection I hope come 7am tomorrow morning we're all sat on the Internet and getting behind the lads like we did all summer. Come on England.

[northernboy1987]

Surely 4 seamers is excessive, surely they don't expect Pakistan to play 4 seamers so why would England? Do they know something about the UAE pitches that Pakistan don't? Or have they forgot that last time they toured UAE it was the batting department that struggled?

[jamielsn15]

Surely 4 seamers is excessive, surely they don't expect Pakistan to play 4 seamers so why would England? Do they know something about the UAE pitches that Pakistan don't? Or have they forgot that last time they toured UAE it was the batting department that struggled?

I think three reasons - firstly, it's going to be bloomin' warm - if we can cram more bowlers in I say do it, there are going to be numerous days we're toiling in the field.

Next, I actually think we have some decent pace bowlers!  I don't know if that gets overlooked at times.

Finally, Pakistan have some experienced spinners who will be relied on to do more than England's spinners, so it's possibly also about taking their batsmen out of their comfort zones with some short, sharp quick spells, as much as Moeen and Rashid trying to attack and contain.

You've got to give the batsman the responsibility of making the runs, so I'm all for cramming the bowlers in

[uknsaunders]

I think three reasons - firstly, it's going to be bloomin' warm - if we can cram more bowlers in I say do it, there are going to be numerous days we're toiling in the field.

Next, I actually think we have some decent pace bowlers!  I don't know if that gets overlooked at times.

Finally, Pakistan have some experienced spinners who will be relied on to do more than England's spinners, so it's possibly also about taking their batsmen out of their comfort zones with some short, sharp quick spells, as much as Moeen and Rashid trying to attack and contain.

You've got to give the batsman the responsibility of making the runs, so I'm all for cramming the bowlers in

If you do that then Taylor has to play based on how he has gone so far, can't pick several out of form/bit flakey batsman - they all have to bat well. You could, play Taylor and Samit, instead of Wood and Butler and have a better balanced 6 bowler attack and 2 more batsman likely to score in these conditions. (I will acknowledge Samit looks as dangerous as Joe Root with the ball but he does turn it away).

[brokenbat]

With Yasir Shah possibly out injured, the odds have never been so much in England's favor.

[northernboy1987]

I think three reasons - firstly, it's going to be bloomin' warm - if we can cram more bowlers in I say do it, there are going to be numerous days we're toiling in the field.

Next, I actually think we have some decent pace bowlers!  I don't know if that gets overlooked at times.

Finally, Pakistan have some experienced spinners who will be relied on to do more than England's spinners, so it's possibly also about taking their batsmen out of their comfort zones with some short, sharp quick spells, as much as Moeen and Rashid trying to attack and contain.

You've got to give the batsman the responsibility of making the runs, so I'm all for cramming the bowlers in

Don't get me wrong I think we have a good pace attack too, I just worry that it's counter productive having a somewhat injury prone pace bowler like Mark Wood for example slogging away for no real gain. The only way I can think it could be beneficial is if they give Wood and Stokes the short spells you mention (I think very short spells 4/5 overs max) and tell them to just unleash and bowl as fast as they possibly can to see if that makes them, the Pakistani batsmen, uncomfortable. Otherwise I see the seamers becoming just workhorses unless Stokes finds some reverse with the old ball?

Just my opinion though, I see your point too

[ppccopener]

if we are really going to buck the trend with 4 seamers it's hat's off the England who are going to do that the hard way(or the stupid way). In 2012 Ajmal got 24 wickets and Monty Panesar with 14(it's another thread but how is he not in the picture is a tragedy).
38 wickets to spin in a 3 match series is a helluva lot.

 

[northernboy1987]

if we are really going to buck the trend with 4 seamers it's hat's off the England who are going to do that the hard way(or the stupid way). In 2012 Ajmal got 24 wickets and Monty Panesar with 14(it's another thread but how is he not in the picture is a tragedy).
38 wickets to spin in a 3 match series is a helluva lot.

 

It's more than that even, think Swann got 10 or 12 too, not forgetting Hafeez and Rehmen as well!

[ppccopener]

It's more than that even, think Swann got 10 or 12 too.

Yes of course, Swanns in too.

erm...I hope we don't kill any of our seamers. There's only so much you can get out of the new ball on these tracks. Figures never lie.

I would have Taylor in and drop a seamer. If we really are playing all these bowlers drop a seamer and play Samit

[northernboy1987]

Yes of course, Swanns in too.

erm...I hope we don't kill any of our seamers. There's only so much you can get out of the new ball on these tracks. Figures never lie.

I would have Taylor in and drop a seamer. If we really are playing all these bowlers drop a seamer and play Samit

I agree, if England think that 6 full time bowlers are needed (not including Joe Root, who I think would do nearly as good a job as Patel) then it should be 3 and 3 in my opinion.

[WalkingWicket37]

This is England remember, Rashid will go 7-0-45-2 then not get another bowl as he's "too expensive" meaning Roooooot bowls a marathon spell anyway.

[ppccopener]

This is England remember, Rashid will go 7-0-45-2 then not get another bowl as he's "too expensive" meaning Roooooot bowls a marathon spell anyway.

to be honest i'm looking at this as a bit of a test of Cook. His captaincy did get better during the Ashes but now he has to skipper a leg spinner. Anyone who knows anything about leggies knows if you lose your bottle as a captain you lose the bowler.

Cook needs to show a set of gonads and help Rashid any and every way he can.Gawd knows he has waited long enough to get a spot in the team. Ali goes for too many runs Cook can't expect Rashid to change his game and be defensive. some of the other bowlers are going to need to 'dry it up'

[jamielsn15]

Cricinfo has gone stats crazy on how this first test is most suited to pace bowlers. May be another reason for 4...

[jamielsn15]

If you do that then Taylor has to play based on how he has gone so far, can't pick several out of form/bit flakey batsman - they all have to bat well. You could, play Taylor and Samit, instead of Wood and Butler and have a better balanced 6 bowler attack and 2 more batsman likely to score in these conditions. (I will acknowledge Samit looks as dangerous as Joe Root with the ball but he does turn it away).

I'd like to see Taylor play, but given they've set their stall on six bowlers, where does he play? Not 3, as they've told bell two tests ago he's the man for that spot, not root, bairstow has just come in.  If we're applying their consistent selection policy, he's got to wait a bit longer.

[Seniorplayer]

Err wasn't that  Robson  and Lyth?. Any chance Strauss can come out of retirement.

You know who did get a ton in the UAE opening the batting and went quite well....KP.

Should have written someone who has not yet had there oppotunity.