It was a brave fightback by Pakistan yesterday. Salman Butt's side may be deficient in a number of areas, but it would seem lack of spirit is not one of them. But their batsmen are going to have to produce something special to first avoid an innings defeat and then set England some sort of target, especially with conditions weighted so heavily towards the bowlers.
The main views from the boundary yesterday included:
The lucky battler
It certainly wasn't a classic Kevin Pietersen innings but it could prove to be one of his most important as the time he spent in the middle will be better than any amount of time spent in the nets. He may not have got the century he craved after seventeen long months, but don't be surprised if this is the start of a resurgence in form for England's best batsman. If it is, then Umar Amin, Umar Gul and Zulquarnain Haider should all be on KP's Christmas Card list as should umpire Marais Erasmus for allowing KP to escape that dead ball dismissal. Lucky battler indeed.
Gone for a Danish
It would seem that Danish Kaneira's exile in Essex may last longer than he expected and certainly until the end of the series. His replacement Saeed Ajmal bowled well, had good flight and fully deserved his five for.
Golden Arm
Chris Gayle famously putdown the qualities or otherwise of Nathan Hauritz when he described the Australian spinner's threat as "it's like I'm bowling to myself." Jonathan Trott could probably say the same of Umar Amin's innocuous medium pace, but that didn't stop him joining Marcus North and Shane Watson as victims of Pakistan's Golden Arm this summer.
The dangers of four
England seem set on going with four bowlers for the Ashes. But the fate that befell their opponents yesterday illustrated the riskiness of this policy. Umar Gul's hamstring injury meant that Pakistan were down to three frontline bowlers. It may not have been such a dire predicament on this Edgbaston wicket, but what if it happens in Adelaide?
Bob the Builder
We are surprised that we didn't see plenty of spectators dressed as Bob yesterday. The decision to stage a test at a ground where a third of it is being renovated seems strange. Edgbaston is a happy hunting ground for England and the support has been magnificent over the years, but maybe this time the ECB should have opted for The Riverside.
Player of the day
Saeed Ajmal for his five wickets, flight and control, as well as a mean doosra. Danish who?
Getting out on around 70 shows poorest form.
Posted by: HK Jain | Sunday, August 08, 2010 at 11:31