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England v Pakistan | Third Test | Day 1 : Session 1 | The Oval | 18/08/10

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Here is something to read untill then:

Cricbuzz Preview:

http://live.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scores-and-commentary.html

Preview by Siddharth Vishwanathan

Sub text:
England are one step away from sealing an already one-sided series while Pakistan continue to be plagued with problems.

Main Text:
Just when the world thought that Pakistan had turned the corner following their win over Australia at Leeds about a month ago, the chaos and the dark times have returned. Their performance in the first two tests have been nothing short of shambolic. Both the test matches ended in four days. Had the weather not intervened in the first test and had Haider not played a rear-guard action in the second, both the matches would have lasted even lesser. Now, with the prospect of a spinning track at the Oval, Pakistan will go all out and attempt a miraculous comeback into the series.
Pakistan's lower order has batted better than the top order. A shocking statistic reveals that most of the fifties in this series has come from the tail-enders. If we narrow it down to specialist batsmen, then only wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider has scored a fifty. This is where Pakistan have to make major improvements if they have to even come close to challenging England. The top six batsmen have to pull up their socks if Pakistan are to come out on top in this match. The men who are under real pressure are Shoaib Malik and Imran Farhat.
Ever since making a comeback to the test squad, both have struggled. Shoaib Malik, in particular, has not made any impact after the PCB suspended his one year ban following the disastrous tour of Australia earlier in the year. This could pave the way for Yasir Hameed, who has been waiting on the sidelines for quite some time now. The possibility of Mohammad Yousuf coming into the squad for this test seem remote, but with Pakistan being Pakistan, you can never know. Going by his recent unbeaten 40 against Worcestershire in the practice match, it seems that Yousuf could come back.
If Pakistan's batting is shambolic, the fielding is absolutely dismal. Pakistan have been dropping catches so frequently that one wonders whether they can catch anything. Some might term this as school boy stuff, but looking at the performances, even school boys might perform better than this team. Everybody has lost count of how many catches the Pakistani fielders have dropped, and this has been the big difference between both the teams. England catch and field better, while Pakistan do not.
A fan's heart really goes out to the Pakistani bowlers. Coupled with uninspiring batting and dismal fielding, Asif, Aamer and Ajmal, the so-called A-team, have their work cut out. With Gul's injury, their bowling attack also looks a bit vulnerable. This opens the door for the likes of Wahab Riaz and Ahmed Tanvir. However, they have been dealt a major blow with the injury to Zulqarnain Haider, who has been ruled out with a fractured finger. His batting made Pakistan go out of Edgbaston with a little more dignity. However, his keeping was a little shoddy and that opens the door again for Kamran Akmal to comeback into the team. His nightmares with both gloves and bat continue to haunt him. He has to make full use of this match at the Oval if he has to be a regular in this team.
England, on the other hand, have fewer problems. The batting looks in top class shape, with all the front-line batsmen contributing. The only concern would be the form of Alastair Cook. He has looked in woeful form this summer and he will be desperate to get back among the runs. Graeme Swann continues to be a sensation. His ball to get rid of Farhat at Edgbaston was definitely the ball of THIS century. Pitching on leg and turning sharply to clip the top of off stump, Swann will once again be a force to reckon on a pitch that will be dry.
Broad and Anderson looked flat in the second innings but they are still a dynamic force to reckon with. If there is a weakness, it is in the form of third seamer. Finn has really struggled to make any impact in this series and he has his opportunity to come into his own at the Oval. The English will also be buoyed by some advice from their bowling coach, David Saker, who warned them against complacency. They will also have to guard against their temper, with Stuart Broad being fined 50% of his match fee for childishly throwing a ball back at Haider in anger. All these small developments won't worry England much, but if they overcome these frailties, they can become a team capable of finishing any opposition clinically.
They say that test cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties. With England in tremendous form, it seems hard for Pakistan to pull the rabbit out of the hat. This ground has given them many pleasant memories in the past decade, including victory to clinch the Ashes in 2009. With so many things happening, Pakistan have a real uphill battle to stay alive in this series.

Numbers Game:

523: Number of runs Kevin Pietersen has scored at the Oval. He is currently the highest run getter at this ground among current English batsmen. He has also scored three centuries at this venue.
3: The total number of fifties scored by Pakistani batsmen in the test series so far. The batsmen are Zulqarnain Haider, Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul.

Sound Bytes:

It's been a year full of memories, starting here. In that time I've been working really hard on my game to improve as a player and contribute to winning matches and series for England .

Jonathan Trott, who recalls his time when he made his debut against Australia at the Oval in 2009 and helped England win the Ashes with a century on debut.

I don't believe that my Test career is over, even though I haven't featured for Pakistan for more than three-and-a-half years. I am ready to return to Test cricket whenever I am required.

Abdul Razzaq, the Pakistani all-rounder, who has not been considered for selection in this test series, says he is ready to return whenever required.

Teams:

England (From): Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss(c), Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior(w), Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Tim Bresnan

Pakistan (From): Imran Farhat, Salman Butt(c), Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Umar Amin, Kamran Akmal(w), Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Asif, Wahab Riaz, Azhar Ali, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria, Yasir Hameed, Tanvir Ahmed, Zulqarnain Haider, Raza Hasan
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Cricinfo's Preview:

http://www.cricinfo.com/england-v-pakistan-2010/content/current/story/472895.html

The Preview by Andrew McGlashan
August 17, 2010

Match facts
August 18, 2010, The Oval
Start time 11.00 (1000GMT)

Big picture
England had to work harder than expected to wrap up the second Test - and at one stage their frustrations, especially Stuart Broad's, boiled over - but eventually a commanding nine-wicket success confirmed the gulf between these two teams. Now the home side's attention is firmly fixed on a whitewash as the countdown to the Ashes gathers pace; with a little help from Ricky Ponting's whitewash comments.

Pakistan continue to be a mind-boggling mixture of confused signals, but after much deliberation it has been confirmed that Zulqarnain Haider is out of the series which is a major blow after his gutsy display last week. How much impact Broad's throw actually had on Haider's finger is still subject to conjecture, but it adds a bit of spice to this encounter. The Oval, of course, has had its fair share of controversy in England-Pakistan contests when four years ago the match was abandoned on the fourth evening after Darrell Hair accused the visitors of ball tampering.

This time, though, the venue should lift Pakistan's hopes of fighting back to at least give England a decent contest. The ball is unlikely to move as much (although cloudy weather is still a possibility) and it is a fast-scoring ground. Mohammad Yousuf will return to strengthen the batting line-up, though he is short of form and fitness. So far Pakistan's lower order has been more productive than the top and Salman Butt desperately needs to rediscover his form. If the pitch turns Saeed Ajmal could also prove a handful with England's batsmen struggling to pick his doosra.

But it's very hard to see England being denied another victory over the next five days. They have three impressive quicks backed up by the outstanding Graeme Swann. What this match does present is the chance for the batsmen to dominate and show their hunger for big scores. Alastair Cook is most in need of a major contribution after a difficult season, but this England team doesn't ditch players at the first sign of a problem.

Form guide (last five completed matches)
England WWWWW
Pakistan LLWLL

Watch out for...
Stuart Broad made the headlines for the wrong reasons at Edgbaston for his petulant display on the third afternoon when he hurled the ball at Zulqarnain Haider in his follow through, having twice not turned to the umpire in earlier appeals. He copped a fine, but was lucky not to get himself a ban and wickets are unlikely to come as easily at The Oval so Broad's attitude will be closely watched. His aggressive mindset has been supported by team-mates and management, including bowling coach David Saker, but he continues to tread a fine line and the umpires will be keeping an eye on him.

After ruling himself out last week Mohammad Yousuf will resume his Test career and bring vital experience to the middle order. He managed a brief innings during the rain-effected match against Worcestershire where he made 40 off 54 balls but will be nowhere near peak readiness. There is a suggestion that his recall hasn't gone down well with Salman Butt who wants to put his faith in youth, but without Yousuf their top order is as callow as anything in recent memory.

Team news
In a break from the norm England named their XI three days out from the Test to allow Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad to play for Yorkshire. Bresnan flew down to London from Newcastle to link up for the final practice day, but is only on standby for any late scares.

England 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Graeme Swann, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn

As always Pakistan's team proved something of a guessing game, but in the end they have opted for four changes - enforced and otherwise - to the side that lost at Edgbaston. Kamran Akmal returns to replace the injured Haider and Yousuf comes into the middle order at the expense of Umar Amin, with Yasir Hameed finally getting an outing in place of Shoaib Malik as well. Umar Gul is also ruled out which means a debut for the left-armer Wahab Riaz.

Pakistan 1 Yasir Hameed, 2 Imran Farhat, 3 Salman Butt (capt), 4 Azhar Ali, 5 Mohammad Yousuf, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Mohammad Amir, 9 Wahab Riaz, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Mohammad Asif

Pitch and conditions
Last year Bill Gordon produced a raging turner for the deciding Ashes clash and played a major part in England reclaiming the urn. There is no need for anything so dramatic this time and we can expect a far contest between bat and ball. Sadly, the British summer continues to splutter along and rain could have an impact on proceedings.

Stats and Trivia
Four players from both sides (presuming Yousuf and Kamran do play) survive from the infamous clash in 2006 including Andrew Strauss who was the England captain.
During the 2006 series Yousuf scored 631 runs at 90.14 including three hundreds.
Jonathan Trott is 77 runs short of a 1000 in Tests, a year after making his debut on this ground against Australia. Meanwhile, Graeme Swann needs three wickets for 100.
England haven't lost in their last eight Tests at The Oval and have won five of them.
Quotes
"This is the start of silly season I suppose, people coming out with their predictions. Predictions ultimately mean nothing, it's how you play on the pitch so I think we'll just keep it nice and simple."
Andrew Strauss won't get drawn into Ricky Ponting's Ashes whitewash talk

"He looked pretty good while he was batting at Worcester. But obviously once he starts playing matches the match fitness comes into it."
Salman Butt knows it will be a challenge for Mohammad Yousuf as he returns to Test cricket
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Pakistan have no idea wintoss bat first or bowl if we bowl first we have to chase at 2nd inning if we bat first all out under 100 is posible lost the toss better
 
Bowl first. take advantage of the moisture on the first day.
It is going to rain 3rd day and most likely around when 3rd innings is being played
 
You have to bat at the oval first, put a score on the board and then move on, it's the flattest international wicket there is in England so i don't see how you can bowl first, probably going to need to survive the first hour with the new ball but after that should be easy pickings.
 
good luck boys

just got up for fasting

tummy is full and ready to watch some exciting cricket from a pakistan point of view
 
I hope and pray we will score more than 100 runs this time.

oh ALLAH HELP US!!!!
 
Hello, and a warm good morning on the first day of the third Test between England and Pakistan at The Oval. It's a fine, sunny morning in London and play is just under an hour away.


cricinfo
 
I hope Mr. ButtCuses will stop the excuses, tucks up his fear/hesitancy, and leads from the front by scoring a hundred (at least).

And I desperately hope they don't go for speed (Wahab Riaz) because if he does not swing the ball (supposedly he is good to swing the ball when it is new)...but by the time he is brought on, the shine might mostly be gone anyway.

If Tanvir Ahmed is a good swing bowler (stress on good and swing) then we need him especially if he can swing the older ball too...this ground is good for batting and unless a bowler is able to deviate the ball all the time, rather only when it is new, he will be spanked to all corner no matter how fast he is
 
Win the Toss and Bat 1st and put a decent total 350-400 on the board some how!
 
Monsee said:
I hope Mr. ButtCuses will stop the excuses, tucks up his fear/hesitancy, and leads from the front by scoring a hundred (at least).

And I desperately hope they don't go for speed (Wahab Riaz) because if he does not swing the ball (supposedly he is good to swing the ball when it is new)...but by the time he is brought on, the shine might mostly be gone anyway.

If Tanvir Ahmed is a good swing bowler (stress on good and swing) then we need him especially if he can swing the older ball too...this ground is good for batting and unless a bowler is able to deviate the ball all the time, rather only when it is new, he will be spanked to all corner no matter how fast he is
Click to expand...

If I'm not wrong, they've already announced the playing 11 and Wahab Riyaz will make his debut today, not Tanvir. Though I would have liked to see Tanvir..
 
And here are the teams: Pakistan: 1 Yasir Hameed, 2 Imran Farhat, 3 Salman Butt (capt), 4 Mohammad Yousuf, 5 Azhar Ali, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Mohammad Amir, 9 Wahab Riaz, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Mohammad Asif
England: 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Graeme Swann, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn

Cricinfo
 
Azhar Ali will be moved down to number 5.

Butt at number three will be interesting.
 
Umar Akmal at 6? Intresting id rather see him at 4 or 5!
 
Azhar Ali at 5 means a healthy dose of spin against him. He's looked very poor against spin so far.
 
Farhat, hameed and butt are like real swingers. They have all had each other as partner somewhere along the line
 
Amjid Javed said:
Umar Akmal at 6? Intresting id rather see him at 4 or 5!
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I think #6 is a good spot for him for now. He's out of form and low on confidence. This will take some pressure of him. Ideally, young players start off at 6 anyway.
 
is it a bit overcast or not???

we only have 4 bowlers Allah khair kare
 
What kind of rubbish, when we need to bat first we bowl!
 
Pakistan: 1 Yasir Hameed, 2 Imran Farhat, 3 Salman Butt (capt), 4 Mohammad Yousuf, 5 Azhar Ali, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Mohammad Amir, 9 Wahab Riaz, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Mohammad Asif
 
England: 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Graeme Swann, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn
 
pakcricketfan said:
If I'm not wrong, they've already announced the playing 11 and Wahab Riyaz will make his debut today, not Tanvir. Though I would have liked to see Tanvir..
Click to expand...





Here comes the regional mafia (Karachi-ites only)...we are never gonna hear the end of it; an all Punjab XI, we are doomed!

Now every new thread will be about that only
 
terrible news we are bowling first. I had a hope if we bat first and somehow manage to reach 200 but now it seems like impossible to win the match unless the bowlers do some miracle like they did against Australia in the second test.
 
@Inswinger bro ..after becoming Mod aapto fiza se hi gayab hogaye ...bade dino baad aapki post nazar aayi...:D
 
Pakistan can only win by bowling first if it restricts the oppo under 100 this game is as good as over.
 
We have to take 4-5 wkts in 1st session otherwise we will miss the 5th bowler big time.
 
Monsee said:
Here comes the regional mafia (Karachi-ites only)...we are never gonna hear the end of it; an all Punjab XI, we are doomed!

Now every new thread will be about that only
Click to expand...

Ya ALLAH!

I'm probably the ONLY PPer from Karachi who does not believe in Karachi-Lahore/Punjab bias... Still, I'm getting battered! :12:
 
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J.T is due a flop, If we get straussy early then we are in for buisness. But I guess we are gonna get chances to actually have england all out for 250, but some players are gonna mess it up
 
mastermind_quad said:
@Inswinger bro ..after becoming Mod aapto fiza se hi gayab hogaye ...bade dino baad aapki post nazar aayi...:D
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Bhai, I wasn't able to come online much due to my grandfather being unwell and admitted at the hospital. But he's home now and doing well- mashallah. I'll be around more now.
 
Rana said:
J.T is due a flop, If we get straussy early then we are in for buisness. But I guess we are gonna get chances to actually have england all out for 250, but some players are gonna mess it up
Click to expand...

Amer and Asif are also due a failure:)
 
The Oval pitch is not known for being overly helpful to the fast men, but in overcast conditions Pakistan's new-ball pair of Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif could well be a handful
 
Inswinger said:
Bhai, I wasn't able to come online much due to my grandfather being unwell and admitted at the hospital. But he's home now and doing well- mashallah. I'll be around more now.
Click to expand...

oh!....:(

its a good news that he is doing well now....may Allah bless him....:)
 
Remember, England batted first last time we played at the oval, and Asif took out their top order and we got a massive first innings lead.
 
pakcricketfan said:
Me too!!:po::po:

The match and loadshedding due to start at 3 pm..:pissed:
Click to expand...

The only day when they didn't do loadshedding was Pak vs India Asia Cup, and 14th august. They should not do load shedding during EVERY Pakistan match.
 
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