swooperman
Resident nob
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- Aug 6, 2011
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After last weeks abject performance, England head to Abu Dhabi needing a performance. Bearing in mind this ground has hosted only 2 tests, both high scoring runs, the pitch is described as placid.
England will likely be without Tremlett, meaning Finn will likely play as I think its unlikely they'll play Monty. Pakistan I would imagine will be unchanged after a 10 wicket win.
Englands bowlers have proved they can bowl well out here, keeping England in the game by restricting the lead to only 140-odd before we threw it away again, so the bowling to me is not a worry. The batting was abysmal, & theres been all types of shite talked since, that England are in a false position etc etc, & that the record was built at home.
England are number 1 in the world because they deserve to be, they've earned it. There recent sub continent record isnt great but if anyones going to improve on it then its this lot. They will bounce back not because they need to, or have to for their positions, but because theyre good enough to. Theyve lost 3 bad tests over the last couple of years, & bounced back to win the next one on each occasion. Thats not so straightforward in a place like Abu Dhabi, but its the kind of place where you find out if you can hack it or not.
Ajmal bowled well, but this will be a flat pitch, & I am confident England can bat big. My theory is that it was crying out for a big Pakistan 1st innings last week to crush England but they could only get 340. Obviously that was enough but it showed that England could control them with the ball. So with our attack can Pakistan bat better, I'm not sure. England certainly can.
The draw currently trades @ 2.24 on Betfair & should be taken, then the match should probably be watched for 3 days & studied, because if a result is possible it will come late in the piece, & there will be big odds on show. Dont be taking no 2's & 3's on either side within 3-4 days, as if this test goes the way I think it will you'll get double figures both sides before the end.
Remember Cardiff 2011, England won in the last 2 sessions, & that dark test in Pakistan in 2001, when nass & Thorpey won in at the death. that type of match
England will likely be without Tremlett, meaning Finn will likely play as I think its unlikely they'll play Monty. Pakistan I would imagine will be unchanged after a 10 wicket win.
Englands bowlers have proved they can bowl well out here, keeping England in the game by restricting the lead to only 140-odd before we threw it away again, so the bowling to me is not a worry. The batting was abysmal, & theres been all types of shite talked since, that England are in a false position etc etc, & that the record was built at home.
England are number 1 in the world because they deserve to be, they've earned it. There recent sub continent record isnt great but if anyones going to improve on it then its this lot. They will bounce back not because they need to, or have to for their positions, but because theyre good enough to. Theyve lost 3 bad tests over the last couple of years, & bounced back to win the next one on each occasion. Thats not so straightforward in a place like Abu Dhabi, but its the kind of place where you find out if you can hack it or not.
Ajmal bowled well, but this will be a flat pitch, & I am confident England can bat big. My theory is that it was crying out for a big Pakistan 1st innings last week to crush England but they could only get 340. Obviously that was enough but it showed that England could control them with the ball. So with our attack can Pakistan bat better, I'm not sure. England certainly can.
The draw currently trades @ 2.24 on Betfair & should be taken, then the match should probably be watched for 3 days & studied, because if a result is possible it will come late in the piece, & there will be big odds on show. Dont be taking no 2's & 3's on either side within 3-4 days, as if this test goes the way I think it will you'll get double figures both sides before the end.
Remember Cardiff 2011, England won in the last 2 sessions, & that dark test in Pakistan in 2001, when nass & Thorpey won in at the death. that type of match
I disagree, the market is unsure of Englands batting. I am not 
any conveyor belt we got involved in nicking still had the shopping on it