Well its nice to start 2012 on a positive note, England have been covered in brown coloured glory by Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
England crumbled to a 72-run defeat in the 2nd Test & have lost the 3-match series.
They were chasing only 145 but were bowled out for 72 with lefty spinner Abdur Rehman on 6-25.
Notable game by Monty Panesar looked to have England left well placed to level the series
Strauss & Prior where the only England double numbers
The rest wilted mostly from spin & slipped to the lowest total ever against Pakistan & to the first series defeat since 2009.
Barmy Army - Barmy Army - com'on lads, this is just not cricket as we know it these days.
They will still keep #1 spot unless SA beat NZ 3-0 (in NZ)
Posted on: 31 January 2012 by Bruce Woodhouse
Don't you just love cricket? Hero to zero in no time, the crazy dressing room atmosphere of the collapse.
Nothing like a spin bowler to suddenly puncture a team's confidence and lo they appear to have forgotten how to play even straight deliveries let alone actually score a run. Well done Pakistan for puncturing the bubble but I'm not sure just how bad this is for England. It means working on what has been a clear gap in our batting skills and also reminding everyone that reputations are not enough, you have to keep working, and keep delivering.
That is of course a lesson that might usefully be learned by the Indian selectors!
We start our winter nets in a few weeks (I play local league cricket all summer). Best game in the world.
Posted on: 03 February 2012 by JamieWednesday
I don't get it.
England are on a higher score, with wickets in hand, after some outrageously good bowling from Pakistan, yet 'England Blow it' or 'England Fail' or 'England Falter' according to the headlines!!!
Given the number of LBW decisions in this and the other matches, surely it's just indicative of some very good bowling on an eminently suitable pitch for spinners (and Jimmy today...)
