Performance and looking ahead ..

So after two successive defeats we've lost the series and there's nothing to play for bar pride. Looking back on today we were quite literally humiliated, our batsman had no idea on how to play their spinners. The likes of KP, Morgan and Bell are walking wickets out in the U.A.E and sub-continent at the minute.

I'm fully aware of the fact the DRS has a significant impact on technique, but it's hardly an excuse for such an abysmal batting display. The key from the off was an aggressive approach, I'm taking nothing away from either Ajmal or Rehman, but with such a modest total to chase, a few boundaries i.e. 'play your shots' type of approach would have certainly put them off their stride, however, we went on the defensive tried to soak up the pressure and allowed them to seize the initiative.

We have to put this defeat behind us now and look forward to the next game, Morgan needs to be dropped and replaced by Bopara. He's just not disciplined enough at Test level. KP's another one on the verge, but I feel we should stick with him just for now. Our top 6 have failed 3/4 times and it's just not acceptable. I for one hope we can finish this series with some dignity intact and then looking ahead to the Sri Lanka tour we’ll be slightly more settled in these conditions so can look for a series win over there.

comment by Rabbitohs...southsydney (U9596)

posted on 28/1/12

....the chest beaters have got the knives out....surprise - surprise.

My only regret with this game was the way Pakistan did it way to early.....I would of loved to seen England at 115 for 1 and then rip into the pommies after the chest beaters had their say... well done Pakistan and thanks for pulling out the rug from under the pommies feet...

comment by hazsa19 (U8480)

posted on 29/1/12

"well a batsmen with a bit of balls would help, the number of times i shouted for the batsmen to attack the bowl and COME OUT OF THE CREASE to meet the ball on a half volley, hence eliminating the spin but no, england chose to stay back not knowing which way the ball was turning and leaving their bat out like a stick."

THIS, so much this!

The players (batsman) are damned if they do and damned if they don't....
I tend to agree with you dazsa, once it had become quite obvious after a few overs what the intensions were of the bowling attack...yes pop down the crease and meet the ball half-way......well not that far but meet it just the same....

But you can imagine what the pommie supporters would of said had there been a couple of catches on the boundry or the odd stumping....

I don't think you would find knowledgeable cricket fans lambasting Ian Bell if he came down the wicket, got one that suddenly turned square past his bat and got him stumped.

The same goes for if Morgan had gone to sweep/ reverse sweep and suddenly got one that bounced out of nowhere and took a top edge.

That was a classic example of how not to approach a chase of 145. Pakistan were allowed to bowl as if they were defending 300.

10 overs of positive, but not reckless batting can get you 30 runs. That's a fifth of the target! The fielding captain moves men from around to the bat to run saving positions, shuffles his bowlers, and makes life a little easier for batsmen basically.

comment by knowitall (U12352)

Double standards? i did suggest England would have the potential to bat all day better than Pakistan but id never said England will win in the sub. con. Get your facts right, i would never suggest a series is a forgone conclusion as it only takes one star performer to dictate a series..i.e Ajmal.