This is the biggest partnership of the innings which suggest it is easier to bat when the ball is soft and the opposition are tired.

Poor shot there but the damage had been done. I think there are a lot of tired people out there.

Looks like people are covering their England red. I just cannot see an England win now.

Two really poor shots. Ok Duckett plays that way but he could have waited even a couple of overs to get his eye in on a difficult track. The new ball takes wickets and the daft ball yielded 65 for Pakistans 9th wicket. Really poof from Crawley but pretty good and clever bowling from their two spinners

It is certainly not a Bunsen but the ball is hard and fields attacking. Any new batsman will struggle at first but we still saw the Pakistan 9th wicket put on 65.

The pitch may deteriorate further certainly in the afternoon sessions. As you say the question is will Root and Pope still be there?

You would not want to be backing England at these prices.

It’s a wait and see. I think Pakistan win it after lunch but you never underestimate Pakistan’s ability to lose a match from a winning position.

I am on a Pakistan win and have not laid England off. The draw is covered. Only one higher chasing total in Pakistan.

Looks like I'll be re-subscribing with TNT for India NZ shortly...

Couldn't disagree more, hlc.

There is risk attached to attacking and there is risk attached to defending.

Only one method advances the chances of victory significantly, and only one method has potential to disrupt the opposition.

You could make a convincing case that this game was taken away from England (in absolute terms) by the period when Salman and Sajid pressed down the throttle.

There were undoubtedly a few naff shots here from England (Crawley and Pope, in particular) but this is cricket.

Well APT, while I hear what you have to say this is not test cricket.You are probably to young but test cricket used to last for 5 days as batsmen could play and defend.Since the one day game and 20/20 etc there is no discipline in English cricket at the moment.And while I do understand what you are trying to say in this instance England had 2 full days and an hour to try and get 270 runs, they didn't need to get them in 50 overs.There was potential to disrupt the bowling and that was by getting  2 or 3 runs an over , over a long period. Bazball is not always the answer as shown this morning.

Leach and Bashir certainly aren't Warne and Lyon, let alone Sajid and Noman, yet Pakistan were 150 odd for 8. (after which point their aggression paid off)

The idea England sacrificed nudging their way to 150-4 is a real stretch. If it were that simple, nobody would be watching.

Lastly, they hardly went 'Bazball'. Bazball is a myth, for one but it implies going at six an over - ala Bairstow and co, when it was first employed to immense success.

England went at barely above four an over, and hit zero sixes - in the match - until Carse had a whirl when the match had gone.

To suggest we were trying to hit every delivery for six, and no batter hit one in two innings, is quite the thing.

Ironically, Carse was England's second top scorer.

Bringing up someone's age - especially when you have no clue - is a strong addition to any conversation.

Why not...the entire England side, selectors and management team are too young.

Your choice was to put your money on the draw, in a match involving these English pups versus Pakistan.

There's a chance your age belies your wisdom.

Although I am old school too!

I remember the rest day on Sunday really used to p me off as I could not get enough cricket….

free on the BBC …… Peter West, Ritchie etc… but had to go to school on a Monday grrrrr

Day 2 near around tea or after

Whisperingdeath
Whisperingdeath 16 Oct 24 11:48 Joined: 25 Dec 11 | Topic/replies: 53,008 | Blogger: Whisperingdeath's blog
I agree apt although the ball may go soft. I think there will be more spin and uneven bounce. Engerlund were looking like a facsimile of the last Test 15 minutes ago. Since the fall of Pope Pakistan are looking like a cricket team.
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Aptdemon
Aptdemon 16 Oct 24 11:17 Joined: 04 Feb 21 | Topic/replies: 1,850 | Blogger: Aptdemon's blog
(Hopefully guaranteed a two hundred partnership with these last few comments) Devil

This is where and when  it all went bandy for England



Whisperingdeath
Whisperingdeath 16 Oct 24 12:10 Joined: 25 Dec 11 | Topic/replies: 53,010 | Blogger: Whisperingdeath's blog
Feels like the match is on the precipice here.

A wicket will open this up
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Aptdemon
Aptdemon 16 Oct 24 12:10 Joined: 04 Feb 21 | Topic/replies: 1,850 | Blogger: Aptdemon's blog
2000 Test career runs for Duckett at >87 strike rate Happy

Just after start of play yesterday


Aptdemon 17 Oct 24 06:43 Joined: 04 Feb 21 | Topic/replies: 1,850 | Blogger: Aptdemon's blog
Pakistan were too short at 1.40 but market feels about right just now, given Pakistan's recent history.

Hard to conjure too many plausible paths to England victory just now, mind you.

180 in the fourth feels massive, let alone 250+.



There was still drama with Pakistan adding 65 for the ninth wicket

I do like different opinions particularly in regard to a Test Match.

It is interesting how your wager clouds your view.

I like to post my bets, not just for a how clever am I proposition but so people can see if I am making a huge mistake because my judgement is clouded.

I love cricket betting because there are times when the market gets it completely wrong. That is where you can make good money if you can pick it. That is my first 4 figure win in maybe a year.

With regard to Bazball

I am a purist and snob. I wanted it to fail. It is not imho Test Cricket.

Having said that I am a huge convert, not so much in the biffing side of things because we have heard that all before….. that is the way I play…..well you moron you should not be playing Test Cricket!

I think Bazzball has evolved. It is not a biff and bash but a state of mind.

Listening to Stokes today I understand they had no chance in reality. They tried to put Pakistan under the dish mentally. It did not work today but it would have been glorious if it did.

My only concern is the execution is poor at times. There is a bravado about going on the B of the Bang. Get your eye in FFS!

I also think as well as Duckett the fact that he hit bowled by imho a half volley is criminal. How can a professional cricketer with 4 Test centuries not hit a half volley. I reckon I could now even off a fast bowler, especially off a fast bowler. I digress.

IMHO the game was already lost on nearly even at 211-2 but them both getting out and Smiths drop finalised the result.

Congratulati,o,,ns WD however it's a shame your "friend"APT can't hack a different idea to his .You did ,in the older days have a discussion without being rude , but obviously he knows best , so please don't have a different view. If I fancy having a few quid on a draw at 1000/1 it's not going to change my life or the enjoyment of the game and my views are never clouded by money , which I don't really need.But if you can't understand how Test Cricket should be played because you don't know how it used to be played that's your problem, and probably why we will get stuffed again in Australia next year.Itfc and I were talking about the technical side of Test Cricket and were not having a go at you or anyone else, so just don't be rude and ignorant in your replies.Money isn't everything .

No not having a go hunt

I like a differing opinion to compare mine.

As stated too I am a purist and snob. I am absolutely abhorred by the fact a modern day professional cannot play an off drive. There is no easier shot shirley. Just plant your foot, lean forward and Sir Isaac Newton brings the bat down.

I was laughing at apt’s  put down, which, was funny and with your handle you should appreciate that or am I getting you confused with Bird, Bremner and Fortune? Probably am.

I don’t think apt is rude. It might just have come out that way and certainly looks rude. I would give him the benefit.

Now I would question you on how Test Cricket should be played.

Have you ever played with a modern bat? My first was a Peter May. I do believe they should all be made to play with a Peter May in the nets.

The game has changed. Covered wickets started a long time ago!

Hawkeye has changed the game.

A lot has changed.

Cricket is not pure but it is still the same game we love

Also Hunt.

I do not want people to lose. I might have ventured my opinion on the draw to give you or anyone something to reflect on.

I backed the draw at 780

I did want to raise the spectre of a terrorise attack or similar. I did not as if kind of felt dirty at the time but we should discuss it. Does not even have to be terrorise related but causal in getting the match slowed / stopped. There was at one point a chance the pitch would “ die “ and go low and slow. I would take a Hail Mary, I fact I love one!

For your information APT , I had 1000/1 in the first test have a look at the time stamps Anyway I would have you done as a young whippersnapper !!