I’m afraid Hales is not a test opener as long as I’ve got a hole in my arse and at present Moeen is not worth his place as a batsman or bowler. Some thinking to do for England, particularly as the next game is Old Trafford where it really does turn and is an abrasive surface for the reverse swing lads………
I can remember back to 1992 when Wasim and Waqar absolutely captivated me as a 14 year old lad who liked to bowl fast left arm. It was towards the end of twenty years of West Indies trying to knock everyone’s heads off and everyone else trying (and failing) to do the same. Then along come Pakistan who surprised everyone by bowling at the stumps. Well, sort of. Wasim in particular liked to bowl halfway down with the new ball, but when it got old – just fantastic. The first real innovation in bowling since the googly in my opinion. England got sour about it because, frankly, they tried it and couldn’t do it. The 1992 Pakistanis also had Mushtaq who bowled the best unpickable googly I can remember.
Add to this some abrasive batting and captaincy from the likes of Amir Sohail, Inzamam and Javed Miandad and they were just box office. A strong Pakistani cricket team is always good for the game and draw people into watching.
Two spinners this match? Who will they drop? Broad? Unlikely I’d have thought. One of the underperforming batsman then. Vince would seem most likely as Balance has only had one match back. I think they might drop Ali for Rabid. Ali could do with working on his batting, after all that was why he was brought into the team originally.
Anyone else watching/listening? Wondering whether they’ll pick up the pace and go for a declaration in the 500s, but then I had a flashback to 2006 in Adelaide.
Similar here CFH – down in Buenos Aires, so it’s red wine & a lovely steak tonight! Tomorrow morning will be a training ride with the locals at the velodrome, then watch the finish of the tour.