Eng Test tour of Pak, Dec 1-21

[bigfluffylemon]

Away series wins v Pakistan (in Pakistan or UAE) where teams have scored 2 or more wins. It isn't many:
https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engin ... iew=series

[bigfluffylemon]

Also, this series is going to absolutely destroy the record for the fastest scoring rate by any team in a test series:
https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engin ... iew=series

That above is qualified to a 3 or more match series, but even unfiltered, this will be the highest. There are quite a few high run rates there though with sides destroying Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in 2 test series at home.
https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engin ... iew=series

If you look at away sides in a series of 3 tests of more, it's even more of an outlier. Waugh's Australians 3 times scored at over 4 an over in away series, but never higher than 4.35. England have been scoring at 5.5.
https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engin ... iew=series

[alfie]

Another successful day for this enterprising England outfit...

Some similarities to the earlier games. Once the fifth Pakistan wicket fell it was clear the end was always coming soon. The Babar/Shakeel partnership had held England up for quite a while ; but there was always a suspicion that one would bring two or three... Many thought Stokes should have introduced young Ahmed sooner - and maybe he should ? - but the way the timing worked renders any such claims a bit meaningless. Young English wrist spinner bags a five on debut

The first wicket was a right bit of filth saved by a Babar error and a fine Pope catch - but the next (Rizwan) was just a great piece of bowling ... and it was on the cards that he'd bag five from there as the innings fell apart. Hope people don't expect him to do it every week now - but it is a start that could only have been dreamed about - and another tick for the Stokes/McCullum approach , to take the opportunity to blood the young talent at the perfect time. Whatever he does in the meantime , Rehan Ahmed on the tour of India next year should be an interesting watch.

A word for Wood too : the spinners got the wickets ; but his unrelenting pressure had a bit to do with keeping Pakistan under control and eventually making their errors. A very committed effort in unhelpful conditions - he gave it full throttle all the way - thankfully without any apparent ill effects -and can be wrapped in cotton wool now for a month or so.

Like the way they went about the chase : Crawley and Duckett are maybe not the natural successors to Strauss and Cook but this sort of game plan suits them very well. Got a bit silly towards end of day as it was clear the light was never going to allow a finish ; but only a victory lap left for this afternoon.

Pity Azhar signs off with a duck. After the honour guard reception and all , emotional no doubt. Rather Bradman-esque... But a fine career and Pakistan will miss him

[bigfluffylemon]

And they're off.

[bigfluffylemon]

Wrapped up with ease.

What a performance.

[Gingerfinch]

3-0 in Pakistan. Has this been done before?

[Durhamfootman]

Truly remarkable stuff from England. And a huge amount of credit has to go to the bowlers for bowling Pakistan out six times on these tracks.

well, that's the thing, isn't it. Everyone talks about the batting, but they've taken 60 wickets on pitches ranging from roads to bunsens

[Gingerfinch]

Truly remarkable stuff from England. And a huge amount of credit has to go to the bowlers for bowling Pakistan out six times on these tracks.

well, that's the thing, isn't it. Everyone talks about the batting, but they've taken 60 wickets on pitches ranging from roads to bunsens

The strike rate has given the bowlers time though. The first test was a nailed on draw even if we bat at 4-5 an over.

[Durhamfootman]

3-0 in Pakistan. Has this been done before?

nope

[Durhamfootman]

Truly remarkable stuff from England. And a huge amount of credit has to go to the bowlers for bowling Pakistan out six times on these tracks.

well, that's the thing, isn't it. Everyone talks about the batting, but they've taken 60 wickets on pitches ranging from roads to bunsens

The strike rate has given the bowlers time though. The first test was a nailed on draw even if we bat at 4-5 an over.

even in this last match, the strike rate in England's first innings probably helped. Under previous regimes, where batsmen tried to play 'properly' (using conventional wisdom) I wouldn't have been surprised if they were still bowled out in the same number of overs, but for a hundred runs less.... out prodding and poking and allowing the bowlers to get totally on top. A first innings score of under 200 and a fifty run deficit instead of a fifty lead, might have changed the game and embolden the Pakistan second innings... maybe

[alfie]

Truly remarkable stuff from England. And a huge amount of credit has to go to the bowlers for bowling Pakistan out six times on these tracks.

well, that's the thing, isn't it. Everyone talks about the batting, but they've taken 60 wickets on pitches ranging from roads to bunsens

The strike rate has given the bowlers time though. The first test was a nailed on draw even if we bat at 4-5 an over.

Very true. And arguably , that first Test - and the way the England bats took their attack apart - unnerved Pakistan and contributed to the later results. Do think the bowlers deserve a lot of credit though for the way they have performed (not just in Pakistan) : twenty wickets taken in nine of ten games now ; on a variety of surfaces and with a few different bowling combinations. These results particularly meritorious though : not many teams could bowl Pakistan out on these pitches once let alone twice in three days !

Just like the batting : the Stokes approach has led to the bowlers believing there is always a way to get a wicket. And as they persisted - it always has.

Next stop NZ. Have seen some flat tracks there recently - and some lively ones. Bit different from Pakistan but should again be worth watching

[sussexpob]

Picking an 18 year old spinner with no FC record makes me weirdly excited about the project taking place in English cricket. I guess in previous incarnations of the team, he would have been sent to the baby team where people with clipboards dissected his personality and cognitive ability, and he'd get to 24 probably struggling to find a county because they concluded he didn't do well enough in his GCSE food technology class, and dumped him out the system. Can he play? Then get him in, back him, be patient.... simple

There is a feeling of belonging with this group that is undeniable. Credit must be given to the management team for installing belief in these players, and a sense of belonging. The results are there to be seen.

Cricket is a simple game, and Brooks seems to be the best example. He has lent on the better parts of his technique, and that has worked. When its there to be hit, hit it.... when its not, get the bat behind it. Not complicated at all.

Hard challenges may await, but I certainly wouldnt want to play England at the minute

[Durhamfootman]

I've said it before... it would have been great if this team had been about to embark on an ashes tour down under. I doubt a single person in either country would have had a clue how it would pan out.... not something we're used to (even in 10/11 I was in no doubt who the winner would be).

NZ have had a look first hand at this new approach by England, and I imagine they've been making plans ever since. It'll be interesting to see what they come up with.... they may have already scrunched up the pieces of paper with 'prepare roads' and 'prepare bunsens' written on them and tossed them in the bin.

I have no doubt Australia and India will be watching that series very carefully for clues

[Durhamfootman]

Picking an 18 year old spinner with no FC record makes me weirdly excited about the project taking place in English cricket. I guess in previous incarnations of the team, he would have been sent to the baby team where people with clipboards dissected his personality and cognitive ability, and he'd get to 24 probably struggling to find a county because they concluded he didn't do well enough in his GCSE food technology class, and dumped him out the system. Can he play? Then get him in, back him, be patient.... simple

you forgot remodelling his action to prevent stress fractures of the back, only for him to develop the yips and still get a stress fracture of the back

[Arthur Crabtree]

Presume Bairstow will be back for Brook.

I'm not yet convinced the batting is suddenly fixed. But it was fairly resilient in this series. I think the pace bowlers deserve most of the credit though for stepping up when the pitches were at their flattest.