Pakistan v England 1st test, Abu Dhabi Oct 13-17

[Gingerfinch]

Cook could reach 10,000 test runs by the end of this series, if the pitches are similar to this one.

[Aidan11]

Good job it's not a Timeless Test.


Although it does feel like it.

[yuppie]

Cook could reach 10,000 test runs by the end of this series, if the pitches are similar to this one.

470 more runs. Could be possible if England bat first in the next 2 tests and the pitches are like this.

[Aidan11]

Is Cricinfo up to date?

I thought lunch was 9-9.40am BST but they are still showing lunch.

[Aidan11]

Maybe the umpires refuse to come back out.

[rich1uk]

Is Cricinfo up to date?

I thought lunch was 9-9.40am BST but they are still showing lunch.

lunch is extended today for Friday prayers in the UAE, the bowlers are attending I think

[backfootpunch]

Cook could reach 10,000 test runs by the end of this series, if the pitches are similar to this one.

470 more runs. Could be possible if England bat first in the next 2 tests and the pitches are like this.

if the next pitch is like this we should let him bat all 5 days to make 600

to repeat ian botham last night, this is their pitch let their bowlers bowl on it

[Gingerfinch]

Will England throw the bat if and when they pass Pakistan? If they do go past them with a few wickets left, then they won't be losing whatever they do.

[Aidan11]

Will England throw the bat if and when they pass Pakistan? If they do go past them with a few wickets left, then they won't be losing whatever they do.

We have some big hitters in the middle order so I'm hoping they will liven things up.

[yuppie]

Root misses out on a 100, will be kicking himself.

Time for some other batsman to improve their averages though.

[sussexpob]

I know he wont, and he will eventually get out having played on the field every minute of this test (must be knackered!!)....

But sod trying to win this test, not going to happen. The only positive and memorable outcome for this match would be seeing Cook make a treble. Its been 25 years!!

Be selfish and stay there until the innings ends. I want to see if he can get to 300, and after, want to see if he can beat the English record and then Lara.

As I say, he wont because he must be tired..... but there is no better situation for 400 to come up again. Dead match, 4 sessions left, 235 on the scoreboard and a crap attack.

In fact, Id rather see Cook get 300 and England draw, then England pull off a miracle win.

[sussexpob]

One thing that surprises me about Cook though is his performance on these sorts of pitches. One of his biggest weaknesses for me in his game is picking spinners lengths, he often gets out trying to cut the spinner into the off side and edges behind the bat.

Maybe its the extra bounce on some pitches that does for him.... whereas, on this type of pudding pitch the bounce is so consistent, he judges it?

[Aidan11]

I go away for half an hour and we lose a wicket.


Still nothing to the spinners.

[KipperJohn]

Actually that was a fairly typical Root dismissal. I didn't see Bell's but that sounded familiar too.

Batsmen still have weaknesses whatever the state of the pitch.

Root's wicket rather reminded me of the 'Haddin drop'.

[Aidan11]

The wickets are tumbling now.