Eng in Pak, Oct 7-28

[sussexpob]

Yeah I knew that. But I expect they have been out with the rakes and sledgehammers this week

Hopefully. Not sure I can stomach another 600 v 800 style first innings.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Rehan and Atkinson come in for Potts and South African born Brydon Carse.

[Durhamfootman]

looks like England have guessed what pitch Pakistan are likely to prepare for the final test

[alfie]

looks like England have guessed what pitch Pakistan are likely to prepare for the final test

Probably not far wrong ! They are often pretty poor at judging pitches in advance but from the reports of heaters fans and rakes being deployed you'd imagine there might be a bit in it for the spinners.

Gives the home side a distinct advantage as I reckon their bats are probably a slightly better match for England's spinners than vice versa ; but if it is a typical "spin and bounce variation more pronounced day on day" pitch the toss will be an exaggerated factor . And surely England are about due to win one !

One encouraging point is that the last times England picked three spinners and only one pace man were the first two Tests in India 8-9 months ago : won the first and made a real contest of the second despite losing the toss.

[Durhamfootman]

Gives the home side a distinct advantage as I reckon their bats are probably a slightly better match for England's spinners than vice versa ; but if it is a typical "spin and bounce variation more pronounced day on day" pitch the toss will be an exaggerated factor . And surely England are about due to win one !

he always calls tails, seemingly, so you'd think so, unless they are using a double headed coin

home advantage is fair enough I think (I know you aren't criticising Pakistan); England have done the same plenty of times. Playing on unfamiliar surfaces in unfamiliar conditions and seeing how the best players set about their business is one of the reasons why test cricket will always remain the pinnacle of the game. England players are always at a slight disadvantage, because they rarely, if ever, get to familiarise themselves with conditions by playing domestic first class cricket in other countries ahead of a test tour

[Arthur Crabtree]

Bit of a middle order wasteland.

Just as well Acko is back.

[sussexpob]

267 feels a little on the short side, but Rawalpindi has served up something different to the usual pancakes we get.

Pakistan need to bat last, and the pitch is turning, so we shall see.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Leach takes the new ball.

Any sense in the taller Bashir having first go?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well... he's on now.

[Arthur Crabtree]

And takes the first wicket...

[sussexpob]

England fighting back 46/3... another one tonight, and they are in a dominate position

[meninblue]

The toss put Pakistan on backfoot and by the position England are in almost at the end of day 1, I feel this is a very likely England win. Don't see this going into Day 5.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looks like honours just about even after day one.

[mikesiva]

England 267 all out

Smith 89
Duckett 52

Sajid 6-128
Noman 3-88

[Durhamfootman]

I forgot this was on, until I went into someone's house late morning and they had it on the telly.

The lower order 100 run partnership and the 3 wickets have put England on the front foot, I think, but there's still a lot of work to do.