2nd Test: Australia v Pakistan at Melbourne on Dec 26-30, 2016

[JJ]

They don't need to be innovative

 

[AlwaysGreen]

I must admit to loling at Tubby's intro yesterday: "And now moving into the commentary, Waqar Younis and one of his bunnies, Michael Slater".

 

[AlwaysGreen]

They don't need to be innivatove

I was being sarcastic

 

[TheParraboy]

Havent seen a ball bowled this test due to work commitments but can someone who has seen a bit of the test tell me


What the wicket is like?

Hazlewoods figures look incredible, has he been our best bowler ? Anyone been unlucky?

thanks

 

[Tommy Smith]

It's a standard drop in festering turd of a wicket: not much in it for the quicks with very little movement or swing.

There is spin out there it would seem. Unfortunately Australia don't have a spin bowler.

Hazlewood has been outstanding and the pick of the bowlers. Great line and length and deserved another wicket or two. His patience is the best approach on this wicket.

Bird has also been good. Great delivery to dismiss Shafiq. Starc has been pretty poor - too short and scatter gun.

As for the rest, hineyrulz and haynetrain have promised a lot without delivering - think Jameka at the Cup. Hutty has been a bit inconspicuous and always green is trying hard but he's been no Matt Wade today - not enough fire or aggression.

JJ and Iafeta have tried their best to play Devils Advocate in the face of an Australian onslaught; unfortunately they've been more Nathan McCullum than Brendan McCullum.

 

[TheParraboy]

haha, thanks Tommy

concerned for Starc seemed to be fading away a bit, whereas Haze is getting better

 

[Bazal]

If I was captaining Pakistan in this situation I'd seriously consider declaring. It'd be an aggressive, confident move and would probably put Australia on the back foot a bit mentally but also this game has become as much about time as runs. With more rain predicted on and off, get out there and try and bowl Australia out IMO, get in front in the game.

 

[Twizzle]

As much as he has been a thorn in our side, I really lie watching Azhir bat.

His cover drive is near perfect.

He has very good footwork and gets very close to the pitch of the ball and there is no room between bat and pad, unlike a lot of modern day players who take half a step up the middle of the pitch then flail the bat at the ball with a huge gap between bat and pad. When he goes at the ball his wrists are forward or over the top of the ball and he never hits in the air.

With his technique there is not much that can go wrong, his footwork is so good he cant get an outside edge and there is no gap between bat and pad so if he gets an inside edge it just goes onto his pads.

Its as close to a perfect technique as you can get.

 

[yobbo84]

The MCG pitch really is the worst in the country.

 

[Bazal]

Bill Lawry is deadset useless....this pitch isn't a good one bud. It's not awful but there's nothing in it for the quicks, it's a road.

 

[Bazal]

Lol Starc isn't even that happy to get a wicket like that

 

[hineyrulz]

Shit gets wickets.

 

[TheParraboy]

Lol Starc isn't even that happy to get a wicket like that

Probably wishing Wade dropped it ?

 

[TheParraboy]

Bill Lawry is deadset useless....this pitch isn't a good one bud. It's not awful but there's nothing in it for the quicks, it's a road.

We should be able to post 500 plus , and in good time too

Having said that, wouldn't be surprised if we got bowled out for 250

 

[TheParraboy]

Bill Lawrie "about 12 and a half thousand people in today, that's not bad"

LOL

sporting capital of the world my ass

 

[Bazal]

We should be able to post 500 plus , and in good time too

Having said that, wouldn't be surprised if we got bowled out for 250

It did look like it was turning a bit for the very few balls Dartmaster Lyon allowed to turn, Yasir might be a worry

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Bill Lawry is deadset useless....this pitch isn't a good one bud. It's not awful but there's nothing in it for the quicks, it's a road.

A big crowd at the mcg, they're a happy crowd, a knowledgeable crowd too. Melbourne the sporting capital of Australia with the huge stands at the mcg creating a tremendous atmosphere.

 

[Bazal]

I don't understand why people are so happy to have him back. Rubbish commentator

 

[hineyrulz]

Quality 150 from Ali.

 

[hineyrulz]

Bill Lawrie "about 12 and a half thousand people in today, that's not bad"

LOL

sporting capital of the world my ass

They are the tooting their own horn champions of the world but.