1st Test: Australia v Pakistan at Dubai (DSC) Oct 22-26, 2014

[Twizzle]

Khan is class and always has been and showed it last night.

Draw coming up.

 

[African Monkey]

stumps day 1

Pak 4/219

couple of close lbw appeals in the last over from Lyon

Honours about even id say, considering the state of the deck. Hopefully we can get them out before or just after lunch tomorrow at the latest, and no more than 300

They're no pushovers in the test arena under Misbah especially on their 'home' track where they haven't lost a series since 2007.

Misbah's presence will be a big loss when he finally calls it a day.

 

[Mr Angry]

Much respect for Younis, guy can bat.

 

[The Charlatan]

Gutsy dig by Younis. Pacemen have been very economical.

Lyon has done well given how little the pitch has offered. I expected him and SOK to really get taken to but it didn't really happen.

 

[madunit]

Younis has always been capable of those gritty digs and he's one of the most stubborn batsmen in the world to get out.

Our bowlers failed to put the Paki's away when we had them on the back foot after a few overs. We let them off.

SOK hardly got any spin and Lyon was just tossing pies.

 

[typicalfan]

Tough task for Australia to turn this around. I thought the spinners let us down, O'Keefe got hammered by Khan while Lyon started horrible. Unlucky not to get Misbah but you make your own luck. Lyon was too short and O'Keefe didn't come back well later in the day.

 

[Twizzle]

There should be a bit of slack for SOK as he needs to learn just how to bowl to the sub continent batsman, especially Khan who is one of the best and on their pitches, he aint playing shield cricket now so he is gonna have to learn fast.

This series will test him out and hopefully teach him a lot.

 

[typicalfan]

Thought Marsh bowled ok as well, maybe a little on the slow side but he was looking good when the ball was reversing.

 

[TheParraboy]

Anyone's game for the taking after day 1

If Pakistan get into the 300s they will most likely be on top

We need to be mentally tuned and score big in our first innings at least 100 plus more than Pakistans total. Will be tough going as AM pointed out Pakis not lost a series here since 2007.

Ain't called test cricket for nothing

 

[madunit]

Here's the review for those who missed it

http://www.foxsports.com.au/video?v=pakistans-terrible-challenge_1227098852890

 

[madunit]

Pakistan's slow scoring & our inability to get more wickets on Day 1 is the only thing that will prevent Australia from achieving a result here other than a draw.

 

[Red Bear]

Pakistan's slow scoring & our inability to get more wickets on Day 1 is the only thing that will prevent Australia from achieving a result here other than a draw.

I don't really trust us batting on a slow pitch against slow bowlers. I think the match is pretty even at this point.

Outside of the new ball period it didn't feel like there was a lot our bowlers could do yesterday (not surprising given the conditions).

 

[BunniesMan]

Why is Mitch Marsh playing?

Doesn't he have a 1st class record that would make Andrew McDonald look like Keith Miller?

Batting average of 28. If your surname is Marsh it apparently doesn't matter how shit you are in first class cricket you'll get a baggy green.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

He deserves a go. Also bowls medium pacers and as the selection panel is still obsessed with an all rounder in the side he was the next cab off the rank with Twatson injured and Moises H seemingly out of the frame (and now injured).

 

[madunit]

you need variation on these sub continent wickets.

We've been trying to have 3 quicks all doing the same thing which to me, stifles your attack and makes it less versatile.

 

[Red Bear]

He deserves a go. Also bowls medium pacers and as the selection panel is still obsessed with an all rounder in the side he was the next cab off the rank with Twatson injured and Moises H seemingly out of the frame (and now injured).

Marsh averaged37 in the shield last season and is getting better. Averages 27 or so with the ball. I'm also not convinced by him yet but there is certainly potential. And you sort of need an all rounder due to the second spinner being played. I prefer an all rounder who can actually get in a side base on one part of there game (top six batsmen or good enough bowler), otherwise they tend to be mediocre as f**k in test cricket.

Moi Moi's bowling is pretty unthreatening at the top level and his batting isn't quite good enough. Destined to be a decent first class player and that's about it

 

[Twizzle]

He's a better option than Watson atm

 

[TheParraboy]

you need variation on these sub continent wickets.

We've been trying to have 3 quicks all doing the same thing which to me, stifles your attack and makes it less versatile.

Our pacemen were outstanding (left armer and a right armer pacemen plus a medium pacer) one of them a rookie debutant

combined - 48 overs 4/67 1.39 per over

plus we have a slow left arm orthodox and right armer in Lyon for later on in the match. (Lyon very unlucky not to jag a wicket in the last over)

Keep in mind there is a couple of quality Pakistan batsman who thrive on this kind of deck-climate regardless of the bowling



What would your version of variation in attack look like?

 

[madunit]

I didn't say the quicks weren't good.

I said our attack lacks variation.

In short, our quicks got f**k all swing in ideal swing bowling conditions, or movememnt off the seam. This made them easier to defend.

Lyon was mostly rubbish, SOK got nothing out of the deck.

I understand that you are adamant your opinion is right (whether it is or isn't) and that you aren't interested in a open minded discussion, so I'll leave it at that.

 

[Timbo]

I didn't say the quicks weren't good.

I said our attack lacks variation.

In short, our quicks got f**k all swing in ideal swing bowling conditions, or movememnt off the seam. This made them easier to defend.

Lyon was mostly rubbish, SOK got nothing out of the deck.

I understand that you are adamant your opinion is right (whether it is or isn't) and that you aren't interested in a open minded discussion, so I'll leave it at that.

Ideal swing bowling conditions? Swing wants low cloud coupled with high humidity. The humidity in Dubai was in the high 40s and there hasn't been a cloud above that stadium since the UAE was part of Pangea.