ljkeane Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 I missed the start but it looks like Ireland are letting it slip a bit here. Pakistan haven’t really gotten away but 2 wickets are a few less than you’d want from the first session having chosen to bowl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paxter Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Yes Pakistan wrestled back the advantage quite nicely there, particularly on the back of the seventh wicket partnership between the two young allrounders. Not a terrible first outing for the hosts though so far... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamjm Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 23 minutes ago, Paxter said: Not a terrible first outing for the hosts though so far... Given the difference in pedigree between the two sides it does seem to be a respectable performance by Ireland so far. However, the real challenge could be when they bat which always seemed likely to the tricker task. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paxter Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Yes batting will be trickier, which is why I think they were slightly deflated to have given lower order runs away to a debutant and a second-gamer. They probably could do with a bit more variety in their attack. The plethora of right-arm medium bowlers made them look like England’s Ashes attack... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paxter Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Oh no Ireland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljkeane Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Hmm, yeah, unfortunately I think this might well get fairly embarrassing. 4 down now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paxter Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 It’s something we may need to get used to. Bangladesh had the opposite problem of playing on batting friendly pitches - they would score 200-300 (on a good day!) while the opposition mounted huge 500+ totals. Ireland should be able to restrict a lot of teams to less than 300 on seamer-friendly tracks, but then they will find themselves getting bowled out for 100 frequently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamjm Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 2 hours ago, ljkeane said: Hmm, yeah, unfortunately I think this might well get fairly embarrassing. 4 down now. At least they've got into three figures now. I doubt they'll manage to avoid the follow-on, but Pakistan probably won't enforce it anyway since they'll want as much batting practice as possible before the England Tests. Playing a Test against Ireland does seem better preparation than the traditional warm-ups against half-hearted county sides so I wonder if that might be become popular among sides touring England. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljkeane Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 49 minutes ago, williamjm said: Playing a Test against Ireland does seem better preparation than the traditional warm-ups against half-hearted county sides so I wonder if that might be become popular among sides touring England. That’s a good point. I hadn’t thought of that but it’d certainly make sense. Hopefully it’ll get Ireland a steady diet of tests even if they’re just single test series. ETA: Pakistan have enforced the follow on. They’re probably not enjoying being outside in Ireland in May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljkeane Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Bah, far better second innings performance from Ireland so far but Ed Joyce has just been run out. They really don’t need to give Pakistan any cheap wickets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mosi Mynn Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Noooo - not run out in Tests! Still, good fighting shown by the Irish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljkeane Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 A miles better performance with the bat today and Kevin O'Brien's Ireland's first centurion in test cricket. Great effort. I am a little surprised Pakistan haven't gone to spin a little more than they have though. If Ireland can get the lead up to about 150 they might even be in with a chance of winning tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamjm Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 1 hour ago, ljkeane said: A miles better performance with the bat today and Kevin O'Brien's Ireland's first centurion in test cricket. Great effort. I am a little surprised Pakistan haven't gone to spin a little more than they have though. If Ireland can get the lead up to about 150 they might even be in with a chance of winning tomorrow. It is an impressive effort from Ireland for their debut Test. Kevin O'Brien does seem to save his best efforts for the most challenging situations, he's already hit probably Ireland's greatest ODI century in their World Cup win over England and now he's their first Test centurion - apparently this is only his second first class century. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hereward Posted May 14, 2018 Author Share Posted May 14, 2018 It was an impressive knock. I have a feeling that Ireland are going to win this game, if the weather allows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paxter Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Oh dear Sarfraz. That follow-on decision must be making him feel quite ill (especially given that the usual 200-run threshold was reduced and he still enforced!) Amazing stuff from O’Brien. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamjm Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 49 minutes ago, Hereward said: It was an impressive knock. I have a feeling that Ireland are going to win this game, if the weather allows. It's definitely becoming a possibility, it's still probably going to be quite a low total to chase so Pakistan should be able to get it if they don't self-destruct, but with any Pakistan team that's always a possibility. Away from Ireland the England squad for the Pakistan series will be announced soon. I see one England batsman has made a timely double century just before the squad selection which would normally be welcome, I just wish it had been a batsman other than James Vince. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paxter Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Yes I’m intrigued to see what Ed Smith and co decide on. It would seem silly for a brand new selection panel to make a statement by...picking the same team that failed to win a single test over the winter. Do they stick with Cook and Stoneman at the top? Is Woakes a banker now that conditions will suit? Moeen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mosi Mynn Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 Nick Compton has suggested moving Cook to 3 ... to make way for all those world-class openers knocking on the door, I presume! I like Cook as an opener and Root at 3 - though possibly Malan could come in at 3 if we lose an early wicket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljkeane Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 2 early wickets. Pakistan are wobbling a bit. ETA: 3 down now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paxter Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 I don’t understand the reluctance to bat Root at 3. It’s not like he’s making Smith or Kohli type hundreds every time he bats at 4... Pakistan started with their usual wobbles. Sarfraz must be feeling sicker by the minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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