Pak tour of Oz, Dec 14 - Jan 7

[mikesiva]

Australia 233-5 declared

Khawaja 90
Marsh 63*
Smith 45

Khurram 3-45

Target 450

[bigfluffylemon]

89 all out in one session.

Why do they never enforce the follow on? Second innings was pointless.

[sussexpob]

I don't know too much about the subject, but I am curious to see the rating of the pitch for this test

The pitch might have been saved by the state of the match, because I dont think even Pakistan would argue they had a chance of saving the draw after the new ball spell from Australia.... but the umpires could have been facing a very difficult decision had the score been 50-0 when the match actually ended.... because in the space between Mitchell Marsh coming out to bat for Australia and Pakistan being bowled out, the pitch was clearly deteriorating, and that had suddenly started to accelerate once Pakistan got to 50 odd in the 4th innings. By that stage, the conditions had become almost unplayable, you had one ball spitting up to throat height from Starc, and then at the other end Lyon got a wicket with a ball that rolled along the floor from the same length. Particularly at Lyon's end the bounce had become unfit for test cricket, I would argue. The stage at which someone is bowled having got the bat in line, but the ball bounces under the bat, is the time to start thinking about calling the test off.

We seen some in Australia's third innings, but not the same. Marsh got clobbered on the helmet, Khawaja got out (although overturned) on a shorter ball that hit his ankle... generally until the 4th innings though, it was the odd ball bouncing that was pitched shorter, so most of them flew past the batsman. Khawaja did try to pull one that he top edged.

Usually to be unfit/poor it has to be dangerous. Could argue the bounce was not as inconsistent or random as Kingston in the late 90s, or the Wanderers in 17-18, but the pitch also had a pace and carry in it more than usual, so you dont need a great deviation to make it more dangerous.

[sussexpob]

On a more positive note, I think I could watch that Starc delivery that got Shafique out in the 4th innings all day long.... what an absolute ripper of a delivery, that...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Starc/Cummins/Hazlewood/Lyon line up together again. They are a historical phenomenon.

Aussie side incredibly settled generally. Selection meetings must be short.

[GarlicJam]

Selection meetings must be short.

apparently there was some strong argument for Boland for this test - but just who would have been under consideration to make way for him?

Hazelwood, maybe - but why?

[Arthur Crabtree]

I just remember Boland's poor Ashes performances.

Pakistan fighting back a bit. And keeping the RR down.

[mikesiva]

Australia 318 all out

Labuschagne 63
Khawaja 42
Marsh 41

Jamal 3-63

I think Warner retires after this series.

[bigfluffylemon]

Pakistan so close to having Australia on the ropes, then let them off with a couple of bad dropped catches.

[mikesiva]

Pakistan 264 all out

Shafique 62
Masood 54
Rizwan 42

Cummins 5-48
Lyon 4-73

[Arthur Crabtree]

Interesting contest. But I guess the Aussies will win again.

[GarlicJam]

Australian batting has so much potential - for a big score, or for a fragile collapse.

Both tests, Pakistan have had long spells of doing better than Australia. Then they have short spells, maybe even just the one badly dropped catch, that undoes all their great work.

Yes, Aus will probably win it.

[sussexpob]

300 looks a lot on this pitch, so Australia should win the match. Shame that Pakistan couldn't take key catches, at 16-5 the game was probably close to won.....

[bigfluffylemon]

Pakistan making a reasonable effort at this chase at 216/5. Australia still likely to win, one wicket and into the tail, but once it's below 100 with wickets in hand teams can get the jitters.

Could have been a comfortable Pakistan win if they held Marsh when he was on 15 or whatever.

[bigfluffylemon]

I've jinxed them.

Pretty rough dismissal. Very aggressive bowling,