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

[Gingerfinch]

Why has Cook chosen Moeen to bowl off spin to right hand batsmen rather than leg spin from Rashid.

Bat - pad?

[hopeforthebest]

The way this is going England will be facing a big second innings total.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Would you rather have the lead on this pitch, or 60 behind but not having to bat last

Given the scoring rates, England have about 25-30 overs to take wickets before Pakistan draw level. That feels like a big advantage. Stokes not being able to bowl shouldn't be too much of an issue on this pitch.

I may be in error.

[hopeforthebest]

A stroll in the park for these two openers.

[hopeforthebest]

I'm off to take tea with a friend, hope for better news on my return.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Clearly the pitch is getting easier as the game progresses.

We should be able to chase down 400 quite easily.

Oh garrrrrrrrrrd!

[KipperJohn]

When Pakistan were 8-0 after 9 overs Vaughan said he couldn't understand their approach.

Pretty obvious to see off Anderson and Broad and wait for England's spinners.

[sussexpob]

I may be in error.

the pitch is getting easier as the game progresses.

For a good test match spinner, this deck should arouse the same reaction that seeing Scarlett Johansson in the buff would for me.

There is clearly a lot of help there for the spinners, a guy with no real quality just finished off England's innings like the ghost of Murali. If this game reaches day 5, the ball will be coming off the deck like a rugby ball bouncing on it.

I could easily see England all out for a 100 on this deck later in the game.

[budgetmeansbudget]

When Pakistan were 8-0 after 9 overs Vaughan said he couldn't understand their approach.

Pretty obvious to see off Anderson and Broad and wait for England's spinners.

Perhaps we now are missing Stokes.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Are Pakistan winding England up by not playing a shot to the seamers?

[backfootpunch]

this day had gone pretty badly

mini collapse with the bat, now it appears the lowest score we will be chasing is 250

one of the spinners needs to step up, im pretty sure we would have won this series comfortably had we still had swann and panesar

[sussexpob]

These Pakistan openers are making a mockery of the batting in the last ashes series

[Dr Cricket]

Yeah Swann/Panesar would have won this series.

Saying that I know panesar got issues and stuff but think ECB missed a trick in not sorting him out and trying to help him.

It is so weird England team 3/4 years ago was so much better on paper.
Better batting line up, better spinners and probably a more better Anderson/Broad.

[backfootpunch]

Yeah Swann/Panesar would have won this series.

Saying that I know panesar got issues and stuff but think ECB missed a trick in not sorting him out and trying to help him.

It is so weird England team 3/4 years ago was so much better on paper.
Better batting line up, better spinners and probably a more better Anderson/Broad.

i agree but i think anderson and broad are better know than they were then, quite a bit better actually

i think we have done very well in this series given how our team looks on paper, fills me with hope for the future

[Aidan11]

This has gone pear shaped.