CRICKET Australian tour of Pakistan

[Sproj]

A couple of things re that - fielding in 33 degree heat for that length of time is seriously tough, physically and mentally to be switched on and ready every ball.
Secondly, I reckon our guys who were fielding in catching positions found it quite tough to get their bearings. The carry to slips and even to the men around the bat to the spinners was so different to what you get in Australia.

Yep all fair points and I am not trying to finger point, the guys did really well to even be in a position to go so close to winning it on a dead pitch. Really, the big moment was Smith's drop, he hadn't been in the field THAT long when it happened and then the two Pakistanis batted brilliantly thereafter, so credit to them. I was incredibly impressed with Lyon and Swepson, even though they will likely get panned for not getting the job done, this isn't accurate or fair.

According to the stats they put up during the telecast, that ground is basically the hardest in Asia for spinners and they both bowled 50+ overs in intense heat (after being in freezing conditions the match beforehand mind you) and while Swepson was less accurate (this is to be expected with a leggie), they both kept coming and if not for some dropped catches (some EXTREMELY hard and not really fair to call chances) / 50-50 LBW turndowns, I think they would have got the job done.

This is the other thing besides Smith's drop, those two non-LBWs really were telling in the end (not saying they were wrong calls either, just the way the game went). All in all, for a draw, it was a really gripping game and credit to both sides for that on a lifeless deck.

 

[Browny]

Catches win matches

 

[1910]

A couple of things re that - fielding in 33 degree heat for that length of time is seriously tough, physically and mentally to be switched on and ready every ball.
Secondly, I reckon our guys who were fielding in catching positions found it quite tough to get their bearings. The carry to slips and even to the men around the bat to the spinners was so different to what you get in Australia.

Add in 239 overs less than a week ago in 50 degree heat.

 

[Socnorb]

So much for managing loads when Pakistan cough up these appalling pitches.
Maybe they're hoping for injuries.

 

[Bull Shark]

I'm not sure if it's a fair comparison to make or not but the fact we're all disappointed to not have won a test in Pakistan represents a pretty large step forward for our Test match cricket over the last eight years.

In 2018 and 2014 against Pakistan we were all at sea, albeit in the UAE where those series were played. We lost 3 out of 4 tests across those two series and I'm assuming the pitches there weren't too dissimilar to what they've had in Pakistan this time around(?).

One thing that has impressed me about our batting is that very few of our batsmen have had their front pads blown off, LBW - which I thought was going to be a very common mode of dismissal for us in this series. Usman Kahwaja in particular seems to have developed his own special technique for getting his pads out of harm's way to the straighter deliveries.

Anyway, I reckon there are bigger tests of our abilities on the sub continent just around the corner in Sri Lanka and India, but for now at least, the fact we've been able to find a way to bat long is encouraging.

 

[Browny]

And our bowling can do the job IF we take the catches

 

[mitch222]

I'm not sure if it's a fair comparison to make or not but the fact we're all disappointed to not have won a test in Pakistan represents a pretty large step forward for our Test match cricket over the last eight years.

In 2018 and 2014 against Pakistan we were all at sea, albeit in the UAE where those series were played. We lost 3 out of 4 tests across those two series and I'm assuming the pitches there weren't too dissimilar to what they've had in Pakistan this time around(?).

One thing that has impressed me about our batting is that very few of our batsmen have had their front pads blown off, LBW - which I thought was going to be a very common mode of dismissal for us in this series. Usman Kahwaja in particular seems to have developed his own special technique for getting his pads out of harm's way to the straighter deliveries.

Anyway, I reckon there are bigger tests of our abilities on the sub continent just around the corner in Sri Lanka and India, but for now at least, the fact we've been able to find a way to bat long is encouraging.

Both pitches have been absolute roads

 

[Sproj]

Aussies apparently unchanged.

 

[BroncosFever]

This one is traditionally a road as well, I reckon 0-0 in a place like Pakistan is a result we'll take

A win would be incredible

 

[Sproj]

This one is traditionally a road as well, I reckon 0-0 in a place like Pakistan is a result we'll take

A win would be incredible

The only team who can win is whoever wins the toss and bats.

 

[Sproj]

Wowsers, terrible start by Australia.

 

[Bull Shark]

 

[Sproj]

View attachment 17468

His average is down to like 55, time to be dropped hehe

 

[BooKhaki]

This is the best Smith has looked in a while. He has played some great shots.

 

[Sproj]

This is the best Smith has looked in a while. He has played some great shots.

You know saying that means he'll get out now right?

 

[BooKhaki]

You know saying that means he'll get out now right?

He'll look damn good doing it.

 

[Sproj]

He'll look damn good doing it.

Apparently he is 23 runs away from being the fastest in history to 8000 runs.

 

[BooKhaki]

Apparently he is 23 runs away from being the fastest in history to 8000 runs.

Pretty remarkable career, starting as a leg spinner and not scoring a hundred in the last 18 months, and still first to 8000.