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

[budgetmeansbudget]

For the amount of really good cricket we have played in this series it will be extremely disappointing to go down to a 2-0 scoreline.

The history books will suggest that we didn't do much better than the last time we were in the UAE, but that simply isn't the case.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Am I the only one who's had problems accessing CMS today?

Not me.

But you went to a cafe. In Holland. Maybe the orders were mixed up?

[hopeforthebest]

Am I the only one who's had problems accessing CMS today?

Not me.

But you went to a cafe. In Holland. Maybe the orders were mixed up?

Maybe after yesterday I've infected my computer with a flu virus.

[Alviro Patterson]

Are England's problems here due to picking all rounders and expecting them to take wickets like regular bowlers?

Maybe more that there aren't any "regular" (spin) bowlers to pick...

Does anyone really think Tredwell , say , would have run through Pakistan ? He would have been tighter , granted. But enough to compensate for the runs Patel , for example , made today ?

I guess it will depend on how many runs Patel/Ali and Rashid give away in the second innings. Did not have to be a spinner either. The quicks seem to have been more effective for England. Could be any specialist bowler.

Malik retires

In regards to selection, I think it's down to overall strategy. Having six bowling options and three spin bowlers with different styles gives England variety.

Also England's batting unit is not overly solid - Cook and Root are in-form at international level, Bell is underperforming, Moeen is shoe-horned into opening, Bairstow and Taylor are of unknown quantities. Having Patel and Rashid at the lower order gives England an insurance policy.

In regards to spin bowling in County Cricket, I reckon counties would invest more in spin bowlers if they are not fearful of receiving points deductions for producing poor wickets with excess turn (like Hampshire in 2011).

[Arthur Crabtree]

On a pitch where the Pakistanis got big turn, the England spinners did little. Probably fair to comment that it was Rashid that got the ball to deviate most of the tourists.

When Anderson and Broad early in the innings, were bowling (one or two) leg stump half volleys that the batters were dead batting, I thought it might be the Pakistan tactic, not to block the seamers out of the attack, but to keep them on, just to tire them. But that imagines there might be some kind of reckoning, when the Pakistan batters will decide they are tired enough, and go after them.

It seemed that moment had come, when Hafeez deposited the ball into the stand off Anderson. Unfortunately, the concrete took a bite out of the ball and the ball reverse swung for a while, and Shoaib got out to a dreadful shot.

A bit Le Carre. But it fits the facts as we know them.

Anderson, who has bowled really well this year, looks a bit less unhappy and fatigued than he did during and after the back to back Ashes and the following summer. Could it be that his giving up ODIs is having the effect many hoped for?

Well done to Hafeez for his knock. Going out tonight though, so i won't see his ton in the morning.

Well done the England batters on the significant lead.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not that Anderson gave up ODIs. England explored other options.

[sussexpob]

Didnt say at the time, but what do people think of Riaz bouncing Stokes?

Fair game, or unfair?

[Gingerfinch]

Didnt say at the time, but what do people think of Riaz bouncing Stokes?

Fair game, or unfair?

I didn't see it, but sounds fair enough.

[sussexpob]

Didnt say at the time, but what do people think of Riaz bouncing Stokes?

Fair game, or unfair?

I didn't see it, but sounds fair enough.

Not sure how I feel about it. Stokes was stupid for going out to bat, but I do think there is a little bit shameful about bowling short to a clearly injured player.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Was it that hostile? I think it's fairly standard to bowl short at injured players.

[The Professor]

I think chasing anything more than 150 runs might be dicey.

[Slipstream]

I imagine that Anderson had words with Hafeez which resulted in that 6. Anderson must have thought that earlier 'nick' should have been given. He has only got him out once but he is Steyn's bunny (8).

[Arthur Crabtree]

England (through James Taylor) are complaining about the decision to the press, and the twelfth man's enjoyment of it. I thought it clearly wasn't out, but if the home team are goading them about it, maybe it was.

[Aidan11]

Busy day at work so I've not had chance to catch up on here.

[Aidan11]

Pakistan favourites for me.