Cricket, lovely cricket

[Steven Russell]

Adam,
That's a good one. You do nothing but crow over rare Aussie successes, belittle England's achievements, and generally come across like a stroppy teenager who can't face facts. Yet I'm supposed to behave like Uriah Heep! Well, alright, just for you,
I remain, sir,
Your very 'umble servant,
Steve.

[Adam Went]

Monty:

We both know that you can't match me on the 'merciless' front, as you can see by Steven's throwing the toys out of the pram already, so what have ya got? Let's hear it...

I maintain that England are just an average team of OK players who have strung together a few good performances. Once the rot starts, it will be swift and horrible and very enjoyable for me to watch.

Steven:

Tissue for an issue?
I'm quite happy to offer praise to England when they deserve it, but even as a Pom you can't honestly think that the opportunity of beating India 4-0 at the same time as you go down to Pakistan is an opportunity to be passed up?

Swings and roundabouts of cricket, mate.... must have a crack when the opportunity presents itself, whether it's as a stroppy teenager or otherwise.

Cheers,
Adam.

[Steven Russell]

Swings and roundabouts of cricket, mate.... must have a crack when the opportunity presents itself, whether it's as a stroppy teenager or otherwise.

Cheers,
Adam.

Fair enough I suppose. Lunchtime on day three in Dubai and it's looking a lot like 3-0 to Pakistan. Our batting has certainly not looked like that of the best team in the world. Lessons need to be learned as there's much more subcontinental cricket for us in the near future.

[Monty]

[Adam Went]

Steven:

I've not seen enough of the Pak VS Eng series to be able to judge thoroughly, but sub-continental tracks are usually flat and don't really do much, maybe just a bit of spin here and there.....have these pitches been different or has it been entirely down to poor batting?

The true test of a batsman's technique is being able to play in conditions totally different to what they're used to at home, and that's where so many of the Indians have fallen down over here this summer......especially the older brigade who've played the same way for 20 years and just can't adjust.

Going by recent form and team selections, I suspect Brad Haddin won't make the 2013 Ashes as our keeper, in all likelihood at this stage it will be Matthew Wade, former Tasmanian and now Victorian who is eerily similar to Adam Gilchrist in a few ways.

Cheers,
Adam.

[Steven Russell]

Adam,

The wickets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were not quick or bouncy but did spin from day one in all three tests. DRS was much in evidence and there were a record number of lbw dismissals.

Both teams bowled very well and batted, for the most part, less well. For England, Broad and Anderson did sterling work, as did Swann, but it was Monty Panesar (recalled in the 2nd test) who did most damage - Strauss preferring him to Swann when right-handers were at the crease.

For Pakistan, Umar Gul was as dependable as ever with the new ball and picked up some good wickets, but left arm spinner Rehman and off spin/doosra merchant Ajmal did the real damage.

Morgan and particularly Bell looked completely out of sorts over the entire series. I know Morgan is reckoned to be an unorthodox "flair" player but I really can't see how his exaggerated crouching motion just prior to delivery can do anything but hinder him.

It can't be denied that Ian "Mr Personality" Bell is a wonderful player. However, he was completely at the mercy of the Ajmal doosra in this series and averaged 8.5.

It's well known that teams visiting the subcontinent (let's include UAE for cricketing, if not geographical purposes) struggle while teams from that part of the world struggle elsewhere. That said, England's batting was well below par and must improve before we go to Sri Lanka.

As a cricket fan, it was great to see spin playing such an important part in the series, and really heartening to see Pakistan coming back with honour after the 2010 scandal. Before the series began, they stressed that they were desperate to show that Pakistan could play cricket in the proper spirit and they proved it in this series. The captain, Misbha-ul-haq, and coach, Moshin Khan, seem to be the best thing to happen to Pakistani cricket for a long time.

Best wishes,
Steve.

[Adam Went]

Steven:

Many thanks for the rundown on the series. I heard Younis Khan made a century as well which was good to hear, as he's been a servant of Pakistani cricket for such a long time.

One would have thought that Pakistan would have been severely weakened and hindered by everything that's been going on off the field, but it seems to have had the reverse effect, and good on them for that. Where are the Akmal brothers these days?

Sounds as though Bell has been taking batting tips from his relative here, and isn't Morgan more of a one-day specialist?

India and Sri Lanka play each other over here in the tri-series tomorrow, will be interesting to see how they both bat.

Cheers,
Adam.

[Steven Russell]

T20 World Cup is hotting up now. Obviously I'd like England to win but my reluctant tip is South Africa. Opinions please, fellow cricket fans.

Best wishes,
Steve.