Pakistan v England, 2nd T20, Dubai, 25 February, 2012

All good for the New Topic count.

Will this be a squarer or a sealer?

I am sitting on the edge of my wheelchair in anticipation of this one

[i blow acrid smoke in your direction[

damned cheerful snoopy...anyone would think that Skully is not a Spiv who has come to a deep understanding of the abjectly dire influence of his State on Oz Cricket

I expect Engulund to hit back hard - high on crack cocaine.

Brezz for Hucklebury

Chef for the Butler.

I think it'd be harsh not to give Buttler and Finn a run, I mean look at Aus - Warner cakewalks into the ODI side and he's a complete bag of shite. But they're 'investing'. So should we.

Nah ... I think Finn has nowt left to prove ... superb in ODI's and could've been good in the Tests too ... so hit n giggle T20 shite is not for him right now I'd wager ... he really was absolute crap last night.... t'would do good to rest him. Brezzy in.

Buttler .... meh ... he's got youth on his side ...so leaving him out for a T20 ain't gonna damage him ... and Chef is on form ... and winning the series does result in a collective cheque for a few grand .... so Chef for me.

I suppose the point is are they really going to break up the T20WC winning opening partnership that has gone so well? It's doubtful, so the likelihood is they'll have to bat Cook down the order. I have problems seeing him be able to get on with the game so I personally can't see it as a feasible replacement. Buttler overegged the pudding yesterday, but he won't always... I'd rather see a proper T20 player have a place in the England side. Cook's record is decent in domestics but whether that'll transfer I'm not sure.

As for Finn, yeah he wasn't good - length balls for them to get under, but he's earnt the chance for another game or two. Especially considering that Bresnan's T20 record is nothing to write home about.

One other thing about Huck is that he let's the batsmen get under his skin after he gets tonked. Length balls in T20 get hit ... nowt that can be done about it ... and him losing his rag and mouthing off more often than not (as he did last night) tends to distract him badly ... unlike Dernbacker who calmly mixes them up each over and gets on with things.

Aye, Finn is quickly going down the Broad route. I think it's one way that Broad has (mainly) improved, he's not as much of a mouthy qunt and it helps his bowling. I really have no time for such 'chat', not only does it not help his cause - it makes him look like a massive twat to the whole world. Less Aussieness, please Steven.

Win toss.
Bat first.
Score big.
Bowl tight.
Win game.
Simples.

Must bat first if toss is won, it did do a bit more as the evening wore on.

Well they've managed the first two, Merls.

Third proving a little more difficult.

(Kneejerk On) This Bairstow lad looks like he can play (Kneejerk Off)

OTOH Buttler doesn't seem to want to hang around long enough for anyone to make up their minds. Same bowler, similar shot, same result.

Mature innings by Bairstow. Even stevens at the moment. Let's see if England can complete the fourth on Merls' list.

Lowest T20 score by Pakistan: 89 v. England at Cardiff, September 2010. Lowest T20 score v. England: 79 by Australia at The Rosebowl, June 2005.

furriner wrote:(Kneejerk On) This Bairstow lad looks like he can play (Kneejerk Off)

He does the Walk of Life? *deadlegs furri*

Good song that, thanks for reminding me.

England look a good side. I'm saying this more for their outfielding than anything. Every player contributes in the field. Not that I'm saying the batting and bowling is bad. I like the composition of the batting, it's doubtful they'll all fail at the same time. An exciting line-up to watch. Must say Bairstow looked pretty OK against the spin bowling, too. I'm liking the seam combo and Swann. Even the four overs between Bopara and Patel won't always be as tonkalicious.

Job done and dusted....
Ticked all the five boxes ...
.... 'cept Buttler ... failed again with the bat though he did take a good catch (but shelled one too!)

Bears-toe was superb ... played with maturity, despte maturity not scoring much at the other end!!

Onward to Abu Dhabi ....

Well done Engulund for squaring.

Is Bairstow the son of the Bairstow what topped himself?

Yes he is.