Pakistan vs. England - 3rd ODI

[Shaka]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I was hoping Afridi would return as a pinch hitter and that KAmran Akmal would be allowed to return down the order... perhaps taking Shoaib malik's spot int he batting order whilst Shoaib moves to "supersub" (same principle as with England: he's useful... but shouldn't b needed until after the tone of the first innigns has been set... and could come on for either a batsman OR a bowler as the situation demanded.

Good call on using Shoaib Malik as a supersub but I can't see it, he's Bob's golden boy and one of the better fielders to boot. Yasir Arafat, a bowling allrounder would be a useful sub, definitely offering a lot more options than Arshad Khan.

Judging by Blackwell's all at sea performance against Akhtar, I'd be inclined to go with Solanki as well. I suppose it could be argued that he (Blackwell) will look a lot better against the rest of Pakistan's attack which doesn't carry quite as much bite.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Shaka

Good call on using Shoaib Malik as a supersub but I can't see it, he's Bob's golden boy and one of the better fielders to boot.

I wasn't suggesting that Woolmer keep him out of the game.. merely that he wait until 20 overs into the first innings (a period in which he'd never normally bat OR bowl) before deciding which of the other XI to remove.

If he's that good a fielder he could always be on the field as a normal, old fashioned fielding sub for the first 20 overs: I'm sure Inzi would gladly make way for him

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Rachael

1. Prior
2. Tresco
3. Solanki
4. Strauss
5. Bell
6. Collingwood
7. Flintoff
8. Jones
9. Plunkett
10. Harmison
11. Anderson

That looks OK. Why not take out Jones and let Prior keep? Then we can play Blackwell who WILL play as our one and only spinner. That way we have a good One Day side without needing to resort to that silly substitute rule.

OK, well have a sub batsman and use him if we bat second, 'cos we'll need as much help as we can get!

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Shaka

Not always as straightforward as that OF ... What i would say is that as soon as there was any discomfort, Pieterson should have been withdrawn immediately. It seems incredible that he was batting in pain, then spent a full day in the field as well.

Yes, Shaka, that's closer to what I should have said. There was talk of cracked ribs though: presumably this was known in advance, and it still seems pretty silly to go out and face a hard ball if you've got a squishy chest!

[Vrock]

I suppose it shows that KP was willing to play with an injury to play for his country. However stupid it is!

[workkey]

who will open the batting for Pakistan afer Afridis return ..
i dont think that inzi and woolmer will demote akmal after his innings in the second match.
Kps return is a big blow for England ...i am personally impressed with his batting especially the way he has been lifting kaneria for sixes

[Zainub]

Dawn report here says Inzi said Kaneria will make way for Afridi.

On the KP injury, I clearly remember Paul Allot saying that he contracted it during practice sessions before the 1st match. So he's actually been carrying the injury through two matches. It wasn't as bad during the first game, but even then he showed some sign of discomfort, in the second though it was foolishly obvious, restricted his batting, fielding and probably his over concentration too. If this was an attempt by KP to show how gutsy he is, then it was very ill advised, as he will now have found out.

[Maranello]

Well I don't think anyone's ever accused KP of being particularly bright (or bright at all, for that matter) so hardly surprising that one of his actions appears to be somewhat daft.

However, what were the England 'thinktank' thinking? Probably too busy whinging about the choice of movies on their hotel pay TV?

[Victor Frankenstein]

I'd go with the following:

1. Tresco
2. Prior (w)
3. Strauss
4. Bell
5. Colly
6. Solanki
7. Flintoff
8. Blackwell
9. Plunkett
10.Anderson
11.Harmison

Supersub: Geoff Boycotts mum with a stick of rhubarb.

I'm guessing we only have Jones left on the subs bench now and he's no better or worse with the bat than blackwell so i wouldn't bother with the super sub. This is no particular snub on Jones btw, it's just that Prior is scoring better at the moment so may aswell have a look at him with the gloves too, see if he can do both roles, it's not like we're going to win this series so may aswell try it out, or if they insist on playing both keepers then let them swap the gloves half way through.

[Crunchy]

Could it be Collingwood and Solankis last series to impress with the bat both of them have yet to impress in there ODI careers.