Eng v Pak 1st Test

without sounding negative I think Pakistan have enough already. Don’t fancy us against 2 quality spinners on day 4 with a big target ahead.
 
Scaramanga said:
without sounding negative I think Pakistan have enough already. Don’t fancy us against 2 quality spinners on day 4 with a big target ahead.
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Keep it below 270 odd and I think we've got enough strength to do it. The top order need to obviously do better than the first innings and yes their spinners offer more of a threat than ours. Should be a great days cricket 👍
 
If we can keep them to less than 270 then it's evens.
One big score from a batter or one century partnership and we should win against 270, but that person or pair will have to stay around against some quality bowling.
If we get in site of a win, Stokes, Buttler and even Broad can see us home, the first two are natural finishers.
It's been a great game, both teams are brittle but also have some brilliant players. Not too easy to bat on this pitch, a ton here is a proper ton.
 
ElBurroSinNombre said:
If we can keep them to less than 270 then it's evens.
One big score from a batter or one century partnership and we should win against 270, but that person or pair will have to stay around against some quality bowling.
If we get in site of a win, Stokes, Buttler and even Broad can see us home, the first two are natural finishers.
It's been a great game, both teams are brittle but also have some brilliant players. Not too easy to bat on this pitch, a ton here is a proper ton.
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Agree with most of that, apart from the 270 target being evens
If it was our one day team (a format in which we excel), I would be very confident
But the test team (IMHO) are not currently good enough. Pakistan elected to bat because of the anticipated turn in Innings 4 (which is already happening). I am disappointed with our 5 day format batting performances, so I'm not so confident we would make 200 - hope I'm wrong 👍
 
We have a chance but Pakistan should win from here and if they get a 270 run lead they`ll surely win.

Whatever happens it has been a really gripping and fascinating game highlighting all that is best about Test match cricket.
 
I don’t see England’s top order being turned over so easily second time around. It’s still only a fourth day pitch, and the batting is quite deep. Could never close. I am listening on Radio 4 longwave, so If it is I can guarantee the shipping forecast will be on just as it reaches the climax.
 
I've got a feeling that we are going to win this - maybe it's just the optimist in me. Of course, it's vital that we knock them over quickly, and if we do then the momentum is in our favour. We just need a positive mindset and a couple of batters to perform. We have some very experienced players in Root and Stokes and need someone to hang around long enough for the pressure to shift onto the bowlers.
We do have the players who can hit us to victory if we get in sight of the total. Anyway I can't watch it as I am playing village cricket this afternoon.
 
I`ve just looked and the two I`ve looked at both make both teams 10/11.On that basis my estimation of 75/25 in favour of Pakistan was wrong either that or the bookies are wrong .It`s going to be fascinating to find out which.
 
1950`spoolfan said:
I`ve just looked and the two I`ve looked at both make both teams 10/11.On that basis my estimation of 75/25 in favour of Pakistan was wrong either that or the bookies are wrong .It`s going to be fascinating to find out which.
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Root needs to bat big here.
 
Chasing 277 in 2 days on this wicket should be a stroll in the park.
But as ever just lost our first wicket, really need a ton partnership here.
 
seasideone said:
A walk in the park - you are having a 😂😂😂
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I agree, chasing this many batting last is NEVER easy. I'd make Pakistan favourites as things stand, but we're not out of it just yet - thanks to the bowlers.
 
Jaffa_The_Hut said:
Chasing 277 in 2 days on this wicket should be a stroll in the park.
But as ever just lost our first wicket, really need a ton partnership here.
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Maybe on a dead pitch against a minor test playing nation but certainly not against this attack on a great OT pitch.
Still in the balance but Pakistan favourites now.
Should be a great series 👍
 
Every day the entertainment and ebb and flow of this Test match and balance between bat and ball made for 4 great days cricket. White ball cricket`s good but a great Test match offers so much more.
 
That was a great win against the odds. We can't keep relying on the bowlers and the middle order though, the top order needs to do far better.
 
basilrobbie said:
That was a great win against the odds. We can't keep relying on the bowlers and the middle order though, the top order needs to do far better.
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Robbie you said similar and other negative comments after excellent wins against the Windies and there you go again sniping.We`re not perfect but there`s a good blend of quality and character in that side as today again demonstrated .A pity you choose to try to justify your previous misguided comments .
 
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That’s the key point Robbie. The top order - including Root - fail more than they succeed. That doesn’t help the major game changers that we should have in 5-6-7.

We got lucky to win. But the failings won’t always be forgiven.
 
What a load of rubbish SATW. We came back to miraculously draw the Ashes series, we came back from 1 down to beat the Saffers away and have just done the same against the Windies here and now we have pulled off a remarkable win from behind against a clearly decent Pakistan side who had not lost from this position in the last 20 years.

Let`s just respect those achievements and with Crawley back in we have a more promising top 4 than since the days of Trott et al.Give them a chance.
 
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We did not get lucky at all today, we earned this win with considerable skill and character batting last on a far from easy wicket when the odds were strongly against us in the process achieving by far the biggest successful run chase in a fourth innings we have ever achieved against Pakistan.
 
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Listening to Buttler & Woakes after the game . . . both 100% decent blokes and certainly Woakes often underrated and deservedly won man of the match.
Buttler came into the test side as a batsman and I believe he should remain in the side as just a batsman. It may seem harsh on Crawley but I'd bring Foakes into the team . . . I see him as the long term option (not just because Buttler missed chances in this test). Not sure how the line up would pan out?
If Stokes is able to bowl his full quota one of the bowlers needs to be dropped for the next test and on current form that would be Jimmy.
 
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