The International Cricket Thread

[tomd2103]

Tough crowd on here, that's one of the most impressive victories in our history on a flat pitch in awful conditions. Just bowling them out in this innings was a big ask and we made it look very easy.

Of course Pakistani cricket is in a bad place and that must feel like an awful defeat for them, it'll take a big effort to get them ready for the next match.

The next match being on Tuesday at the same ground.  Which geniuses devised that schedule?

Several of their grounds are being refurbished ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy and the National Stadium in Karachi isn’t ready to stage a match so they’re playing two in Multan.

Sorry, It wasn't the venue I meant, it was starting a test in such close proximity to the last one given the gruelling conditions out there.  Seems a very tight turnaround.

[tomd2103]

2 changes for England for tomorrow- Stokes and Potts in for Woakes and Atkinson. 

Babar Azam dropped for Pakistan, which would have been unthinkable just a short time ago.

[simon ward 50]

2 changes for England for tomorrow- Stokes and Potts in for Woakes and Atkinson. 

Babar Azam dropped for Pakistan, which would have been unthinkable just a short time ago.

Playing on the same wicket as last week as well?

[tomd2103]

2 changes for England for tomorrow- Stokes and Potts in for Woakes and Atkinson. 

Babar Azam dropped for Pakistan, which would have been unthinkable just a short time ago.

Playing on the same wicket as last week as well?

Yep, to be playing test cricket on a used pitch is bizarre really.

[Villan For Life]

If ever there was a test match where the old adage “Don’t judge a pitch until both sides have batted on it” applies then it’s this one.

It’s bizarre to use the same pitch again but that’s done with - I’m sure the ICC will tweak the rules to prevent a repeat- but it does look less batsman friendly than in the first test. It’s hasn’t spun much and our seamers did well, but the pitch was breaking up before lunch and the bowlers footholds on the popping crease were almost disintegrating. The bounce is uneven too so I think Pakistan have missed a trick in selecting only one seamer.

It will be an interesting test to watch and unfold.

[olaftab]

For anyone interested the Ashes 25/26  schedule had ben released. No surprises.

2025/26 NRMA Insurance Men's Ashes series dates:

Perth Test (West Test): Perth Stadium | Nov 21-25

Brisbane Test (Day/Night Test): Gabba | Dec 4-8

Adelaide Test (Christmas Test): Adelaide Oval | Dec 17-21

Melbourne Test (Boxing Day Test): MCG | Dec 26-30

Sydney Test (New Year’s Test): SCG | Jan 4-8

[Lsvilla]

For anyone interested the Ashes 25/26  schedule had ben released. No surprises.

2025/26 NRMA Insurance Men's Ashes series dates:

Perth Test (West Test): Perth Stadium | Nov 21-25

Brisbane Test (Day/Night Test): Gabba | Dec 4-8

Adelaide Test (Christmas Test): Adelaide Oval | Dec 17-21

Melbourne Test (Boxing Day Test): MCG | Dec 26-30

Sydney Test (New Year’s Test): SCG | Jan 4-8

Beat me to it ! First two for me I reckon.

[olaftab]

Same here, planning for first two this time. Can't handle piss taking in Melbourne and Sydney again if England get there 3-0 down. Bit worried about missing Champions League away games in the window.

[paul_e]

Just to shift back to the game in hand, this is a great example of why I like Bazball despite the risks.

Pakistan allowed themselves to get bogged down so despite sticking around for 123 overs they just couldn't find scoring shots and got limited to a strike rate of less than 50%, taking lots of overs out of the game but not really creating any pressure on England or increasing their chances of a win.

England coming out aggressively means we've very quickly taken the initiative in the game and despite losing a couple of wickets we look totally in control.

[olaftab]

Tomorrow this pitch is going to be carnage. I expect major cracks to appear turning into pot holes,  so England need to run up a lead today. If they do the Test match is won.

[PaulWinch again]

The collapse is on.

[paul_e]

This now is the flipside to the benefits I mentioned earlier. Once Root went we needed to give it a bit of time to resettle but instead we've let them pick up 3 more cheap wickets before taking that step back.

[olaftab]

“We know Pakistan can crumble” is a very stupid comment by Duckett in the middle of a test match. Yes it’s prob true but….,

[tomd2103]

Tomorrow this pitch is going to be carnage. I expect major cracks to appear turning into pot holes,  so England need to run up a lead today. If they do the Test match is won.

Yeah, it now looks like a bad toss to lose and be batting last after that evening session.  Still 130 odd short at the moment and we probably need Smith and Carse to go well in the morning to get near parity.   

[PaulWinch again]

Duckett batted very well. But he also did one of his customary interviews where he mugged off the opposition, typically that ends is us getting thumped. See also when he implied Jaiswal had England to thank for his attacking style.

He’s not one of the world’s great speakers.