Pakistan v Australia, 1st Test, Dubai, 22-26 October, 2014

Fifty for Midge.

Tight stuff. Just one session. It could be a bat out.

Can see the draw coming.

I'm shocked. Surely there a bit of his boot behind the line.

The shot from behind the wicketkeeper was the one that incriminated him.

Definitely an arguments for both perspectives of the stumping.

Though should Australia go on to lose I don't think that decision should mask what a poor performance this has been.

How does Pakistan have any reviews left?

Well done Pakistan.

PMSL at the end there. Siddle- "Aww look mate, I didn't hit that....." 

Hit the cover off it. Erasmus turns to jelly when he's under pressure as an umpire.

So Misbah has been a good captain for Pakistan during this time when they're exiled from home.

Pretty resounding victory. Interesting to see if they prepare a draw pitch to secure the series.

No Ajmal, no Junaid, given no chance. Pakistan cricket never ceases to surprise.

Red wrote:So Misbah has been a good captain for Pakistan during this time when they're exiled from home.

Pretty resounding victory. Interesting to see if they prepare a draw pitch to secure the series.

I don't see why they should. Australia's been stunningly inept at playing on subcontinental pitches in recent times. Having said that, Pakistan might go into completely defensive mode.


Now to watch Australia win the next match by an innings after scoring 600...

They were handing out awards there like a school sports and now they're speaking in another language. Would be nice to know what Younis is saying.

Test cricket's in a strange old state at the moment, any side with aspirations to be number one quickly getting turned over in unexpected circumstances.

Whichever of the non-Asian nations unearths a match-winning spinner will be in an incredibly strong position - could be a long wait though.

beamer wrote:Test cricket's in a strange old state at the moment, any side with aspirations to be number one quickly getting turned over in unexpected circumstances.

Whichever of the non-Asian nations unearths a match-winning spinner will be in an incredibly strong position - could be a long wait though.

I like it that there's no clear number one team. It was all a bit boring and overbearing when Australia were winning everything 10-15 years ago, with spitting, gum chewing Strine cricketers telling us that the Australian way was the only way.

I think South Africa have proved the best at adapting to alien conditions. It's why I think they're the best side in the world. Oddly enough they tend to play better abroad than at home.

Henry wrote:Well done Pakistan.

PMSL at the end there. Siddle- "Aww look mate, I didn't hit that....." 

Hit the cover off it. Erasmus turns to jelly when he's under pressure as an umpire.

He's a good bloke though. The degree of edge made it all cool. Noble fellow

Henry wrote:

beamer wrote:Test cricket's in a strange old state at the moment, any side with aspirations to be number one quickly getting turned over in unexpected circumstances.

Whichever of the non-Asian nations unearths a match-winning spinner will be in an incredibly strong position - could be a long wait though.

I like it that there's no clear number one team. It was all a bit boring and overbearing when Australia were winning everything 10-15 years ago, with spitting, gum chewing Strine cricketers telling us that the Australian way was the only way.

I think South Africa have proved the best at adapting to alien conditions. It's why I think they're the best side in the world. Oddly enough they tend to play better abroad than at home.

There's disappointingly few closely fought series though, given the lack of dominant or even merely good teams... too often the away side just capitulates given a poor start in a series.

Well done to the Wackies. Piss poor effort all round by Aus. Only Warner & Johnson were up for it.

Brass Monkey wrote:

Henry wrote:Well done Pakistan.

PMSL at the end there. Siddle- "Aww look mate, I didn't hit that....." 

Hit the cover off it. Erasmus turns to jelly when he's under pressure as an umpire.

He's a good bloke though. The degree of edge made it all cool. Noble fellow

not as 'noble' as the idiot Clarke, though - he seemed not to know he'd edged his lbw at all

Big Dog wrote:Clarkes form has been shyte since he came back. How long will he last?

he is not in good nick but expect he will last longer than Bailey II.

and great efforts from the stannies...absolutely too good.

Our spinners were rubbish, Haddin was both awful and disinterested....as for our batsmen, Marsh and Bailey II showed nothing and the skip is out of form...Australia's bellard never looked assured even in the 2nd dig.

summary - too many Tasmanians and spivs in this team...the lowlight was the pre game commentary from Elmer talking up his bowling partnership with sok...the frightening thought is that No Show may get a go in the 2nd test

Michael Clarke in full Comical Ali mode:

Clarke says Australia have made key improvements since their disastrous 4-0 series defeat in India in 2013.

"As a team in general we've improved out of sight since that series," Clarke said.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/25354272/clarke-positive-after-pakistan-beat-australia/

Michael Clarke in full Comical Ali mode:

Clarke says Australia have made key improvements since their disastrous 4-0 series defeat in India in 2013.

"As a team in general we've improved out of sight since that series," Clarke said.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/25354272/clarke-positive-after-pakistan-beat-australia/

The only difference is the improved efforts of Warner and Johnson. Turned an innings defeat into a runs defeat.

Warner and Johnson have been holding this team together. It's not like their personnel are any different now to 12-18 months ago. A couple of them are just playing better. Rogers will likely go after this Australian Summer, and Clarke could well retire after the World Cup. And Mitchell Johnson is 33 next month. For a fast bowler, that's getting on a bit.

skully wrote:The only difference is the improved efforts of Warner and Johnson. Turned an innings defeat into a runs defeat.

Amazingly - every game Aust has played this year has resulted in the team batting first winning by 200- 300 runs.

Henry wrote:Warner and Johnson have been holding this team together. It's not like their personnel are any different now to 12-18 months ago. A couple of them are just playing better. Rogers will likely go after this Australian Summer, and Clarke could well retire after the World Cup. And Mitchell Johnson is 33 next month. For a fast bowler, that's getting on a bit.

Smith has been pretty consistent too.

But yes - the lack of depth is frightening.