Pakistan v England, 1st T20, Dubai, 23 February, 2012

And the circus rolls on.

At least there's 3 of these to give a clear "series" win.

they haven't finished yet? Does anyone GAS anymore?

I do, actually. I'm looking forward to the Twenty20s. We've potentially got a good hitting line up. I like big shots, I'm Gen Y that way.

ah good. Seems to have been a long one. Plus I f'kin hate Dubai.

Early January to early March is sort of longish, possibly standard for England. We usually like to play a lot of matches!

I guess, thinking of two-tour summers.

I have very little patience for cricket these days. I'm becoming Yank. Like an American Werewolf in London kind of transformation.

I asked for forgiveness from the cricket gods, but even the last T20 I watched, I thought dragged on.

Good golly Jill, I'm trying incredibly hard not to disown you. You need to get the f*ck out of that country, before it f*cks you for good.

I miss test cricket, if that helps at all.

It helps plenty Jill, plenty. I'll let you have that 10 gallon hat you've always wanted

I do own a Stetson.

Cowgirl boots? Thumbs in pockets?

Roper boots. Round, not pointy toes. Not crazy colours. Occasionally thumbs in pockets. It's 'cool' to be country round here.

I think Dan is flirting with your avatar, Jilly.

heh! Cowboy fantasies. Every guy has one...of course for most it's just being one. For others, well, Brokeback. Get.it.on.

Ooh yeah... one doesn't know who the gent is, but he's giving me a chub the size of Vanessa Feltz.

Meanwhile - back at the cricket, Chef has been added to the squad as Ravi Bops has got a bad back ( that's nothing Arsenal have got four)

Saves on the air fare. Not sure he'll get a game as long as it's not disasterous.

What's the deal with Briggs v Patel? Is one of them going to get a game, or is it more a 'who's the first cab off the rank'?

Think they'll **ahem** plump for Patel, unless they're going in with three spinners.

Hope Chef gets rested and Hales gets picked to open.
Buttler and Bairstow too ...

I know winnings the thing and all that ... but surely the hit n giggle circuses are for fun and so not to be taken too seriously.

PS - Patel too ought to be sidelined ... give Briggs a go.

Let's see what the young guns can do ...

Squad:

Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire, captain)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Ravi Bopara (Essex)
Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire)
Danny Briggs (Hampshire)
Jos Buttler (Somerset)
Alastair Cook (Essex)
Jade Dernbach (Surrey)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)
Craig Kieswetter (Somerset)
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex)
Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire)
Kevin Pietersen (Surrey)
Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)

I would imagine the first XI is now something like:

Pietersen
Kieswetter +
Hales (top three might be in a different order)
Morgan
Bopara
Buttler
Patel
Broad *
Swann
Finn
Dernbach

Beddy won't open. It will be Hales and KP. Where Beddy goes is a mystery... probably 3. If Flopara is injured, I fully expect Bairstow to be given a go (three balls, prodding at deliveries with concrete feet). Other than that, I can't think of any changes England will make to your team.

Although there's the distinct possibility that Cookfohl™ will suddenly be restored to the front line, because England are stupid like that.

Aye, I suppose they wouldn't have kept him on if they weren't considering playing him. It would be stupid, but totally not past the England management.

As good a place as any: Geraint Jones is playing the 20:20 WC for Papua New Guniea....turns out he was born there.

Y'all prolly already know, but it's worth repeating.