3rd Test: England v Pakistan at Dubai (DSC) Feb 3-7, 2012

[Hallatia]

it's strange that people say things like rust about England in this series when they've only had 2 months off. I guess they hadn't played a test since August.

England still have some formidable batting talent in their ranks, they just need to get over whatever it is that is holding them back

 

[Valheru]

I’m glad the poms have been brought down to Earth.

They will never be a true number 1 in my mind until they prove they can win on the subcontinent. They have 2 more chances this year to do so.

 

[Timbo]

Bopara could come in for Morgan but I don't think they'll do that.

Morgan is being shown up as the total myth he is on this tour.

Picked because he was allegedly the best player of spin in the world, off the basis of ODI cricket.

They'd have been better off picking Samit Patel, batting him at 7 with Prior at 6 and going with Swann and 3 quicks. Even on that raging turner - and despite Monty taking 6 - the two who always looked the likeliest were Anderson and Broad. The lack off Tremlett and Bresnan has hurt them, but throw Steve Finn in there for the 3rd test.

 

[Hallatia]

Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat. One change to Pakistan from the last test, Aizaz Cheema in for Junaid Khan. No changes for England

 

[Hallatia]

Pakistan team:
Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal (keeper), Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema

England team:
Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (keeper), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Jamews Anderson, Monty Panesar

 

[Horrie Is God]

Anderson strikes..

1 for 1 the Pakis..

 

[Hallatia]

I have a feeling that England will win this match. Just waiting for Pakistan to prove me wrong. The way they came back in the second test was marvellous. A 5 day match here would be wonderful if both teams compete

 

[Horrie Is God]

Paki's lose another..

Ali gawne..

2/8 now..

 

[Hallatia]

great start from England, but Hafeez is still out there

 

[Horrie Is God]

Good referral by the poms..

 

[Horrie Is God]

Poms on fire..

Khan gawne now..

 

[Horrie Is God]

This is a massive collapse here..

Pakis lose another..

Hafeez gawne..And acted like a clown on the way off..

Paki's 4/21..

 

[Hallatia]

:crazy: collapse, and half of the wickets required review

 

[Mr Angry]

4/21

Not good for the pakis.

 

[Mr Angry]

Broad to Mohammad Hafeez, OUT, 140.4 kph, loud loud cry for leg before referred has he hit this? Maybe not but probably too high...three reds on hawk-eye...gone! There wasn't anything really conclusive on hot spot but perhaps there was enough doubt to give Hafeez the benefit of the doubt there. Either way, he claps sarcastically walking off, that'll be a few pennies off the match fee

 

[Horrie Is God]

5/21 now..

Misbah plumb..

 

[Horrie Is God]

Can the Paki's beat our 47??..

 

[skeepe]

Definite nick there, should never have been overturned.

 

[Hallatia]

sure, they've just gotten ahead of the 9/21, they're middle order showed a lot of resilience in the second test, their time to do it again

 

[Hallatia]

this match is being played at the same ground as the first one, Pakistan have the same team as used in the first one, England have the one change, but he hasn't done anything yet. This time Pakistan won the toss and are batting first and Strauss said that he would have batted first also. What is interesting is the play is mirroring that of the first test but with opposite sides batting and bowling