Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Started today with the match between Pakistan A and Sri Lanka A.

Mohammad Ashgar looked dangerous with the ball for Pakistan A. England Lions should be watchful tomorrow.

Cheers 365, forgot this was coming up.

Dawid Malan(c)
Daniel Bell-Drummond
Ben Duckett
Joe Clarke
Sam Billings(wk)
Liam Dawson
Liam Livingstone
Toby Roland-Jones
Thomas Curran
Mark Wood
George Garton

The name George Garton is giving me a bit of an Edwardian vibe. Though I expect he is too young to have a huge moustache.

2-fer for Tom Curran.

1-fer for Wood. First since injury?

Comfortable win for the Lions. Pakistan's total was well under par. Though there was a bit in the pitch early on in both innings, it was easily a 300 pitch and the groundstaff said it was a batting paradise.

Wood looked in good touch. Got good pace, bowled some decent bumpers (though easily avoided) and got some wickets. He had his ankle in an ice bucket later on but I suspect that's standard for him and others. Tom Curran beat the bat several times early on, looked threatening and got 4 wickets. Roland-Jones started alright though he didn't create any chances of note. Was hit about a bit but got his economy down later on when bowling to the tail. Dawson disappointed - he bowled a few half-trackers that were smacked for 6 and didn't offer enough control. Garton was wayward and offered a lot of boundaries, though he finished better than he started.

It was a tentative start by the batsmen. Neither opener looked particularly comfortable, Malan out early though Bell-Drummond did begin to find fluency before getting caught behind for 20-odd. Duckett hit 6 fours from 7 balls early on as Pakistan offered lots of balls to pull to the short square boundaries. His 163 was very boundary-heavy, he didn't look at all troubled by the bowlers. Some nice scoops came out later too. Clarke was a more orthodox batsman, nice technique and strong through the covers. Billings did what he needed to at the end.

Pakistan gifted a few boundaries through misfields and there was a comical run out in their innings too. But Sharjeel played very well in making his ton - took Dawson in particular for a lot of runs. Though once he got out, the innings folded rather rapidly.

Lovely setting too. And scorching hot (I've burnt my ankles but otherwise no damage).

Cheers Matt. Excellent report.

Must be a flat track in Northampton. England getting nearly 400 (no longer feels as amazing as it used to). Malan 185*. But SL starting well in pursuit.

At Canterbury to watch the Lions today. 4 down already, all to Bilawal Bhatti.

Runs for Billings. Couldn't be better.

Yes, what a great day! Bilbo on top form... 175! One of the best innings I've seen live.

Looks a remarkable knock, from an inauspicious situation.

Babar Azam is looking in complete control. So good technically.

Out now. Pakistan look to be still in the game though.

England won. Great game, two good comebacks from England (with bat and ball).

The sun has exhausted me, but it was worth it.