Well 198 was not difficult to chase but you would back most of the decent teams to make it.
I guess the Pak bowlers bowled well, but I don't know whether our batsmen did themselves justice as I didn't see.
Oh well, two more matches to go and I think we'll improve as we go on.
In hindsight playing two spinners was a mistake as they weren't too effective.
Originally posted by VargApparently Flintoff did a Pietersen and Pietersen did a Flintoff (i.e. both got out playing stupid shots).
Well 198 was not difficult to chase but you would back most of the decent teams to make it.
I guess the Pak bowlers bowled well, but I don't know whether our batsmen did themselves justice as I didn't see.
Oh well, two more matches to go and I think we'll improve as we go on.
In hindsight playing two spinners was a mistake as they weren't too effective.
Originally posted by VargActually, that should have read 198 is not trivial to chase.
Well 198 was not difficult to chase but you would back most of the decent teams to make it.
I guess the Pak bowlers bowled well, but I don't know whether our batsmen did themselves justice as I didn't see.
Oh well, two more matches to go and I think we'll improve as we go on.
In hindsight playing two spinners was a mistake as they weren't too effective.
Originally posted by VargI am not entirely sure the 2 spinners were a mistake.
Well 198 was not difficult to chase but you would back most of the decent teams to make it.
I guess the Pak bowlers bowled well, but I don't know whether our batsmen did themselves justice as I didn't see.
Oh well, two more matches to go and I think we'll improve as we go on.
In hindsight playing two spinners was a mistake as they weren't too effective.
To chase 198 is not the biggest of asks so you really have to say it was the batsmen at fault.
The other point being is that Kaneria picked up 4 in the 2nd innings so the English spinners should have been more effective.
I think the middle order was where we lost it. If they'd have performed in just one of the innings we would have won relatively comfortably. As it stands there were just too many batsmen that were out of form, and with Trescothick falling cheaply in the second nobody else stepped up (enough). Credit to Bell though, he had a decent test match, and our tail made a good stab at getting the runs today too. I don't know what the pitch looks like for the next game, but I'd seriously consider putting Anderson in for Udal, as he can swing the ball and I think he'll get us wickets. Still think we can take the series 2-1.
Nearly forgot, credit to the Pakistani bowlers as well. They did a really good job and once they saw weakness in our batting they pounced effectively.
Originally posted by mikenayOf course the Pakistani groundsmen might prepare dead wickets to ensure two draws, but I'm sure they wouldn't do that.
I think the middle order was where we lost it. If they'd have performed in just one of the innings we would have won relatively comfortably. As it stands there were just too many batsmen that were out of form, and with Trescothick falling cheaply in the second nobody else stepped up (enough). Credit to Bell though, he had a decent test match, and our tai ...[text shortened]... They did a really good job and once they saw weakness in our batting they pounced effectively.
I agree - Anderson for Udal, Vaughan for Collingwood, if fit.