[1st Test] England v Pakistan (Old Trafford)

[zebediah]

The bowling on the first morning wasn't good enough. Their openers weren't forced to play enough.

Too many balls were left.

We seem obsessed with "Beating the edge", thing is, you don't get people out when you beat the edge.

 

[rentaghost]

We didn't beat Australia last year, we drew. And we only avoided defeat because Stokes had his freak Headingly feat

Yes fair enough. However Ben Stokes is part of our team. You can't just discount it because he played exceptionally well. If it hadn't been for McGrath and Warne we would have done a lot better against Australia in the past.

 

[TheRey]

Wining away in South Africa m?

Poor Saffie side in fairness.

Last decent side we played were Aus last year, and were lucky to escape with a draw!

 

[Onlyfoolsrushin]

Our flaky batting is coming home to roost. Stokes at 4. Deary Me.

 

[Julio_Schwarz]

Wining away in South Africa m?

I would say the South Africa team at the moment is not one of their best. Very much a work in progress.

 

[Temp0101]

Poor Saffie side in fairness.

Last decent side we played were Aus last year, and were lucky to escape with a draw!

So everyone has an excuse bar England. Ok.

 

[TheRey]

So everyone has an excuse bar England. Ok.

An excuse for what?

As much as SA are an average side at the moment, so are England.

That's all there is to it.

 

[Temp0101]

An excuse for what?

As much as SA are an average side at the moment, so are England.

That's all there is to it.

But you don’t class winning away in South Africa, and most probably SL, an achievement?

 

[Julio_Schwarz]

So everyone has an excuse bar England. Ok.

Given we are one of the "big three" which basically run the game, we should be more consistent then we are. We are at home here. 16-3 is fairly lamentable as was some of the bowling in the first innings.

 

[Silly Point]

Wining away in South Africa last winter? And most probably SL if the series had gone ahead.

Mediocre side these days SA. One world class bowler and he was off colour. De Kock kept it competitive

 

[TheRey]

But you don’t class winning away in South Africa, and most probably SL, an achievement?

It was a good result between two average sides.

Much like Burnley beating Crystal Palace. Good result for Burnley, but doesn't hide the fact both are utterly shite

 

[chopsfc007]

For a team that always gets outbowled we never really lose series at home

 

[Temp0101]

Given we are one of the "big three" which basically run the game, we should be more consistent then we are. We are at home here. 16-3 is fairly lamentable as was some of the bowling in the first innings.

Agreed. But it’s 2 days of a Test in a series of other Tests. No team in any sport can be perfect all the time.

 

[Onlyfoolsrushin]

But you don’t class winning away in South Africa, and most probably SL, an achievement?

Most probably SL? How can you have an achievement on something that didn't happen?

 

[Temp0101]

It was a good result between two average sides.

Much like Burnley beating Crystal Palace. Good result for Burnley, but doesn't hide the fact both are utterly shite

Fair enough. So winning away anywhere except Australia and India is a ‘good result’ the other two would be achievements?

 

[TheRey]

Worth noting too, that England have been playing three high octane Test matches.

Pakistan have been having the equivalent of a kick about amongst themselves.

 

[Temp0101]

Most probably SL? How can you have an achievement on something that didn't happen?

That’s why I said ‘most probably’. But fair enough, take it out. Winning away in SA isn’t an achievement?

 

[Onlyfoolsrushin]

Agreed. But it’s 2 days of a Test in a series of other Tests. No team in any sport can be perfect all the time.

Its the First Test and we always lose them.

 

[Mr Redknapp]

...So Pakistan not getting any credit?

 

[Julio_Schwarz]

Agreed. But it’s 2 days of a Test in a series of other Tests. No team in any sport can be perfect all the time.

True but if we really have Root's lofty aspiration of number 1 test team, we have to back it up! Shocking start but it is early days in the series as you say. Lets hope for improvement.