Cricket, lovely cricket

[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.

[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]

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:

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.

[Monty]

[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.

[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]

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.

[Monty]

Listen to the two of you! I'm actually quite disappointed, I expected at least a small amount of humility if for nothing else than the good cricket that's been played recently, especially from you Steven.....knew there was a reason why our ancestors decided that it was better to stay in their prison island for eternity than to return to the motherland.

You'll both be chortling on the other side of your face when Dave Warner opens the Ashes with a switch-hit six placed over wide mid-on off Anderpies....he makes Viv Richards look like a block artist.

Pleasant dreams of 2013, gents.....and c'mon Pakistan!

Cheers,
Adam.

I gave humility, to the victors who desreved it...Pakistan. For it was they who beat us.

Anyone would have thunk Australia had a hand in it.

Come back to me when you do beat us in a series. Ive been waiting 5 years now. Ive patience.....I'll wait 5 more......even longer looking at the average standard of your last performances against your Betters.

Keep wallowing in self delusions and false hope. For it will happen, and when it does, I will be merciless.

Monty

[Adam Went]

Listen to the two of you! I'm actually quite disappointed, I expected at least a small amount of humility if for nothing else than the good cricket that's been played recently, especially from you Steven.....knew there was a reason why our ancestors decided that it was better to stay in their prison island for eternity than to return to the motherland.

You'll both be chortling on the other side of your face when Dave Warner opens the Ashes with a switch-hit six placed over wide mid-on off Anderpies....he makes Viv Richards look like a block artist.

Pleasant dreams of 2013, gents.....and c'mon Pakistan!

Cheers,
Adam.

[Steven Russell]

Adam,

Who are you trying to convince? Keep saying it and you might end up believing it. Ignorance is bliss when 'tis folly to be wise.

Steve.

[Monty]

You had a chance to come back with something of substance Adam,

You just blew it.

Hold on to your false hope, tis all you have.

Im off to fine some true contenders.

Monty

[Adam Went]

Steven:

No need for a PM. Please contact me via the following address:

F. Mortimer
36 Berner Street
St. George's-East
London, UK

Monty:

Wow, i'm so proud of you, a post that's more than half a sentence long. Unfortunately, however, it's still tripe.

Who's this young Pakistani spinner you're talking about? As far as I know their spinners are Abdul Rehman and Saeed Ajmal, both of whom are on the wrong side of 30......whatever happened to Danish Kaneria?

They have no Mohammad Yousuf, no Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, Mohammed Aamer, etc etc....they are a mediocre team at best on paper, and yet they've flogged you two tests out of two. I watched the highlights the other night and the UN would have struggled to beat my local 3rd's team.

You blokes couldn't get Rahul Dravid out when you played them - over here, he made one fifty for the whole series. In fact, only one Indian batsman scored a hundred for the whole series, and that was in the dead rubber. So spare me the 'we softened them up' crap.

The beauty is that we now have a SQUAD of players who can win the Ashes back, not just part of a TEAM.....our fast bowling stocks are overflowing while your fast bowling stocks consist of Freddie Flintoff hosting his own TV show.

See you over there.....still waiting for our Twenty20 match.....just brought a new bat as well.

Cheers,
Adam.

[Monty]

You should sit up and take note of this Pakistani team, cos they aint the rabble we played a season ago.

They have some real young talent. Far more dangerous than your boys. A spinner who can turn it for starters, who has claimed far more victims than Warne had done in his opening tests. I tell you, Warnes record will go to him, maybe Muralis too.

If you haven't won the series then you haven't won numbnut. One test here and there out of many. If you want to go down that line then yes, you've won the odd game whereas we have beaten you time, and time , and time again....crushing you by multiple innings and bowling you out for less than a 100 a couple of times in the process.

Yes, 47. I was being kind.

Pakistan earnt their victory and were the better side. You've just beaten an aging team of has beens who were crushed a few months ago when they were No1, not down when you played them. We merely softened them up for you.

Come to England, see the sites, Tower of London, Edinburgh Castle, Buckingham Palace, the Ashes. Been here for years, staying here for years.

Seriously, your team hasn't performed on English soil since when? 2003? Yet you still shoot yer lip. Entertaining....if wholly incorrect.

I smell you fear son, it often due to the bull$hite you spew.

Enjoy your summer, I'll enjoy ours...and our urn.

Monty

[Steven Russell]

Adam,
Could you please PM me where you get your drugs from?
Steve.