Pakistan v England 3rd Test, Sharjah, Nov 1-5

[backfootpunch]

An accurate spinner is going to be hard to deal with on this surface

[yuppie]

I read the headline that England had picked 3 spinners.

I would have thought England pick 4 all rounders would be more accurate.

[alfie]

Broad gets the quick break after lunch

Crucial partnership now as Pakistan's two best players come together.

Get one of these cheaply and England will be very happy...

[budgetmeansbudget]

We have to outscore Pakistan in the first innings on this wicket, otherwise we've no chance.

[alfie]

I read the headline that England had picked 3 spinners.

I would have thought England pick 4 all rounders would be more accurate.

Guess that's true : but I think it is also a little unfair if it's meant to imply an excessively conservative approach. Think they have picked these spinners essentially for their bowling (not a lot of alternatives !) rather than because they can all bat.

I was surprised at Patel instead of Plunkett . But judging from the early spin on offer you can see why they chose him. Still remains to be seen if they can actually do a job...

[backfootpunch]

Massive wicket

[alfie]

Review won't save Younus there ...that is stone dead !

Anderson has the big wicket and England on top now . Two pace bowlers with combined figures of 14.1 overs 3/7

Not often younus misses a straight full toss ; but England will take it ...

[Arthur Crabtree]

England's spin (wicket every 14.2 overs) and seam (every 12.4 overs) have taken wickets quite comparatively evenly in the series. That's probably going to be even closer when you take into account that Patel and Root are very much part timers. Obviously the pace bowlers have been economical, and the spinners haven't.

[Arthur Crabtree]

250 a par score? A road was predicted for this Test.

[Aidan11]

Been a good morning for England so far.

A bit of a gamble to have 3 specialist spinners and rely on Stokes as the 3rd seamer but ok so far.

[backfootpunch]

250 a par score? A road was predicted for this Test.

Anything over 300 and we are struggling

If the pitch deteriorates you don't want to be chasing much over 150 in the fourth innings

[alfie]

England's spin (wicket every 14.2 overs) and seam (every 12.4 overs) have taken wickets quite comparatively evenly in the series. That's probably going to be even closer when you take into account that Patel and Root are very much part timers. Obviously the pace bowlers have been economical, and the spinners haven't.

Depends on what happens later in this match , I'd say. The "spin strike rate" would actually be pretty poor but for the second innings in Abu Dabi .
Which is hardly surprising , really. And doesn't matter ; as long as the combination works - as it very nearly did , there. Considering the players they had available , I think England have done quite well with the ball in this series.

[Arthur Crabtree]

But the second innings at AD is also the only time England really threatened the Pakistan batters, and took control of the game. So that balances things towards the spinners, who have been generally disappointing. Though to be fair, the England seamers have been more attritional than threatening, and haven't siezed the initiative as Wahab has for Pakistan, however disciplined they've been.

[alfie]

250 a par score? A road was predicted for this Test.

Anything over 300 and we are struggling

If the pitch deteriorates you don't want to be chasing much over 150 in the fourth innings

They'd be hoping to have them out for less than that from here. Two more wickets and they're into the tail...of course those two wickets (fifth and sixth) have proved difficult to collect in the other games. But if Patel in particular can keep enough control for Anderson and Broad to continu bowling in short bursts...maybe.

[alfie]

But the second innings at AD is also the only time England really threatened the Pakistan batters, and took control of the game. So that balances things towards the spinners, who have been generally disappointing. Though to be fair, the England seamers have been more attritional than threatening, and haven't siezed the initiative as Wahab has for Pakistan, however disciplined they've been.

I'm a little unsure of the point you're making here , AC ? Are you talking down the England seamers' performances ? Because I'd have said they have been generally rather good , somewhat undermined by inability of the spin twins to keep any sort of control. Certainly Rashid and Ali came to the party in that second innings ; which is indeed the only time England really rattled Pakistan - but you could say much the same of Pakistan . The only time they (through Wahab) took control was on day three in Dubai. The second innings there they were in an invincible position and barely got over the line...

In truth this series has been as expected , one for the batsmen.