Australia v Pakistan | 2nd Test | Melbourne | Dec 26-30, 2016 | Day 1

[Abdullah719]

Australia team
Matt Renshaw, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (c), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird.

Pakistan squad
Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz.

Starting time: 23:30 GMT (04:30 PST)

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.

 

[shaz619]

Looking at the pitch [MENTION=134473]Haroon786[/MENTION]

The advantage will still be in favour of the team batting first, the slim trimming is an insurance policy which AUS have taken out should they lose the toss; their goal will be to knock over around 4 wickets in the first session. The ball will do quiet a bit in the first 20 overs which will be absolutely key, if we survive the first session we'd put ourselves in a very very strong position in the Test match (providing we win the toss). If we lose the toss our goal should be to take at least 3-4 wickets in the first session

 

[On_the_up]

TV channel reporting Imran Khan expected to replace Rahat Ali as the only change.

 

[Haroon786]

Looking at the pitch [MENTION=1688]haroon[/MENTION] 786

The advantage will still be in favour of the team batting first, the slim trimming is an insurance policy which AUS have taken out should they lose the toss; their goal will be to knock over around 4 wickets in the first session. The ball will do quiet a bit in the first 20 overs which will be absolutely key, if we survive the first session we'd put ourselves in a very very strong position in the Test match (providing we win the toss). If we lose the toss our goal should be to take at least 3-4 wickets in the first session

Will be interesting to see how difficult the pitch will be to play in the first session.

 

[Inswing]

how many tickets for the first day have been sold ??

 

[Markhor]

Bat or bowl first ?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Grass on the <a href="https://twitter.com/MCG">@MCG</a> pitch!!! <br>Like a lot! <a href="https://t.co/u4XWQZQXEj">pic.twitter.com/u4XWQZQXEj</a></p>— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProfDeano/status/813125359776370688">December 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
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[On_the_up]

Pak needs to win the toss and bat first and get off to a solid start, Australian's 4 man attack had to bowl a lot of overs last time out will be tiring after a couple of sessions in the field.

Last inns was great but they start at 0-0 again. They need to forget that now, Australia will come hard at them again.

 

[shaz619]

Bat or bowl first ?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Grass on the <a href="https://twitter.com/MCG">@MCG</a> pitch!!! <br>Like a lot! <a href="https://t.co/u4XWQZQXEj">pic.twitter.com/u4XWQZQXEj</a></p>— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProfDeano/status/813125359776370688">December 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
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After Day 1 there will be no life in the surface. However, it's not such a bad toss to lose; there is an opportunity to ensure that the team batting first has little chance to come back into the game. But I'd bat first personally and put faith in Azhar/Sami

 

[Pete Rose]

how many tickets for the first day have been sold ??

They are expecting 60,000. More or less what Pak had in 2010.

 

[Junaids]

TV channel reporting Imran Khan expected to replace Rahat Ali as the only change.

Which is horrifying: I have never seen Imran bowl a full enough length for Australia.

 

[On_the_up]

Which is horrifying: I have never seen Imran bowl a full enough length for Australia.

His numbers were good even in the defeat vs Newz, this is his chance to prove the doubters wrong (yes looking at you Micky)

 

[Barragan]

Less than 20 mins to go for the toss.

Grass on the pitch, but I have no idea whether it will help with seam movement or just dead grass?

Don't think I've seen grass on Aussie pitches before.

 

[shaz619]

Which is horrifying: I have never seen Imran bowl a full enough length for Australia.

He'll do a better job not releasing the pressure at the other end then Rahat Ali

 

[shaz619]

Bat or bowl first ?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Grass on the <a href="https://twitter.com/MCG">@MCG</a> pitch!!! <br>Like a lot! <a href="https://t.co/u4XWQZQXEj">pic.twitter.com/u4XWQZQXEj</a></p>— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProfDeano/status/813125359776370688">December 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] what do you make of this surface? and what would you do if you won the toss? remain in the realms of reality please

 

[world cup captain]

Expecting Imran to do well this match if he plays.

 

[Gilly]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] what do you make of this surface? and what would you do if you won the toss? remain in the realms of reality please

I'm sure Junaids thinks this surface is perfect for Asif who would bowl the aussies out for less than 40 runs on this pitch and Butt would make a double hundred. ))):

 

[Chief Destroyer]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] what do you make of this surface? and what would you do if you won the toss? remain in the realms of reality please

Tough 1st session, get through it and cash in.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Pakistan win the toss and bat first.

 

[winchester]

At the stadium.....looks like Sohail is gonna play in place of Rahat

 

[90MPH]

Hope Pak lose the toss.

 

[hamzie]

pak batting
sohail in for rahat

 

[Inswing]

At the stadium.....looks like Sohail is gonna play in place of Rahat

thats great so how 's the atmosphere there in he stadium ?

 

[90MPH]

They better bat whole day.

First session will be critical.

 

[ExplicitAI]

Pak batting first and Sohail King Khan to replace droopy Rahat.

 

[Inswing]

Sohail khan coming in will give our lower order more stability

 

[winchester]

thats great so how 's the atmosphere there in he stadium ?

Filling up....a bit cloudy which is good because it gets crazy hot here when the sun is out

 

[Aman]

Pakistan batting, should be interesting to watch.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Thank God they dropped Rahat.

 

[world cup captain]

Poor Imran Khan.

He has been in the squad and bowled in the dead pitched of UAE. Now that we are in heavenly bowling conditions, he can't even get a match.

 

[Haroon786]

I'm sure Junaids thinks this surface is perfect for Asif who would bowl the aussies out for less than 40 runs on this pitch and Butt would make a double hundred. ))):

What do you think ?

Bat first right decision ?

 

[kingusama92]

Excellent, we'll have three bowlers in the 2nd innings.

 

[JattMaula]

Where is [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]? @MCG?

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Both good things.

Come on Green Team.

 

[Barragan]

This is the one time, where Sami and Azhar tuk tuk would be really handy.

If Pak can go into lunch around 40-0, then that would be a very good session for Pak.

 

[Markhor]

Bit worried about that grass and moisture in the pitch. Hope we can survive the first session. After that, pitch will probably be baked under the sun and turn brown quickly making it easier to bat.

 

[Barragan]

Also, playing Sohail is a big risk, but let's hope for the best.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan have won toss , now they can have no more excuse.

 

[Justcrazy]

Also, playing Sohail is a big risk, but let's hope for the best.

There was no other option.

 

[Pakprideuk]

Ajju to score a 100 inshaAllah ta'ala.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan need a strong solid day here.

 

[On_the_up]

This inns could determine the outcome of the series.

 

[QalandarFan]

Pakistan batting, should be interesting to watch.

Aren't you watching the NZ match?

 

[Aman]

Aren't you watching the NZ match?

Boring and the quality of the teams is quite poor.

 

[Justcrazy]

There we go , players on the field.

 

[Big Mac]

Poor Imran Khan.

He has been in the squad and bowled in the dead pitched of UAE. Now that we are in heavenly bowling conditions, he can't even get a match.

hahaha, Australia is anything but heavenly bowling conditions if you don't have pace and bounce.

 

[heddie19]

Ajju sami needs to stay here. Don't give away wickets lads
Come on Pakistan

 

[Markhor]

Nice to hear Bill Lawry's voice on commentary again.

 

[Aman]

Ground doesn't look too full.

 

[Justcrazy]

Why is Azhar avoiding the strike ? He is senior after all , very bad to see.

 

[Justcrazy]

Sami Aslam average has fallen below 40

 

[mz123]

good leave that

 

[world cup captain]

hahaha, Australia is anything but heavenly bowling conditions if you don't have pace and bounce.

Compared to the UAE, any where else can be heavenly bowling conditions.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pakistan's best chance was tobat first anyway regardless of nature of pitch. Just see off the first session without wickets and then dominate the next 5.

 

[Justcrazy]

Good start by Aussies .

 

[Big Mac]

Ground doesn't look too full.

It's Boxing Day morning, everybody is sleeping Christmas dinner off. The ground will start to fill up as people manage to drag themselves out of bed

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Compared to the UAE, any where else can be heavenly bowling conditions.

Not really. Australia is probably the hardest place to bowl unless you get extra lift.

 

[world cup captain]

Why is Azhar avoiding the strike ? He is senior after all , very bad to see.

Starc would swing into Azhar while Halzewood would swing into Sami. Nothing wrong with what they are doing.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Ajju almost nicked that one man

BTW Morning Guys !!

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan's best chance was tobat first anyway regardless of nature of pitch. Just see off the first session without wickets and then dominate the next 5.

You need solid start , make sure you bat well in first innings and then apply pressure on opposition.

 

[Aman]

It's Boxing Day morning, everybody is sleeping Christmas dinner off. The ground will start to fill up as people manage to drag themselves out of bed

No doubt about that, but I still expected a much better turnout after the first match..

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Hazlewood might be more threatening g in this surface. Just a hunch!

 

[Arham_PakFan]

First runs of the match,quite a fast outfield.

 

[Justcrazy]

Rotation of the strike is very important.

 

[On_the_up]

First runs, fast outfield.

Once the new ball swing goes, it will be a good pitch to bat on.

 

[Uzair Gooner]

Nice to see Bill Lawry in the comm box

 

[Justcrazy]

First runs of the match,quite a fast outfield.

Good outfield gives value for good strokes. You find the gap , you get runs.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Azhar striking at 120

 

[Inswing]

Damnn that ball and the way he played

 

[heddie19]

Why is Azhar avoiding the strike ? He is senior after all , very bad to see.

because sami always takes the strike whenever he opens with azhar

 

[Aman]

Wow this outfield is quick, a dug out yorker nearly went for 4

 

[heddie19]

very well played by azhar but the outfield is faster than flash

 

[Justcrazy]

Sami Aslam not yet off mark.

 

[On_the_up]

Azhar was getting into trouble with that type of ball in England, got enough bat on it this time.

 

[Junaids]

Shane Warne is going to be gutted about George Michael. Hope he holds it together on air!

 

[Markhor]

Starc sledging Aslam already.

 

[Justcrazy]

It would be interesting to see how Lyon will bowl here.

 

[Aman]

Didn't come back enough.

 

[Justcrazy]

loud shout , not out.

 

[Aman]

Hazlewood looking great, could have a good day if he keeps at that length.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Their trying to exploit Azhar's weakness on the in coming delivery.