England v Pakistan **spoilers**

[Mikey1280]

Read got 150 not out in the England A match, beat that Geraint

 

[JohnnyG]

Cook's out early for 105

 

[platty]

Colly shudda joined him but tauffel misses an edge. 148* now, great innings.

 

[JohnnyG]

Blatant edge as well, he's having a poor game so far.

150 up for Collingwood

 

[Mikey1280]

400 for England

 

[Mad old tory]

Jones failed again, Bell's stuck on 99 with Monty at the other end

/edit: he's got it

 

[Mad old tory]

England declare on 528/9, great innings from Collingwood,Cook and Bell, getting nearly 400 between them . Time for the bowlers to get some form back and grab a wicket or two before tea

 

[Big Kev]

A great performance by the lads today, with 3 excellent centuries, then some good bowling to put us in a very good position, going into the third day.

One downer, Geraint's performance won't help his cause.

 

[Mad old tory]

What a catch from Collingwood last night, was at work from 5pm so missed the other wickets. Managed to catch that one on the news, good bowling from Harmi too which is a great sign

 

[e36Adz]

Pakistan 165-4, Yousaf and Inzi are looking settled so hopefully a century each from them would be nice

 

[e36Adz]

Just got home and checked the score

Pak on 409-7. Yousuf on 185 not out, I really really hope he gets his double hundred tomorrow. He's pretty much saved us this game, looks likely to be a draw now with only 2 days play left.

 

[JohnnyG]

528-9 dec & 258-7 v Pakistan 445, a lead of 341 going in to the last day.
Strauss got a ton in his first Test as captain
Looks like it's heading for a draw though unless we declare early & Monty can get some spin. He should be able to but they're good players of it...

 

[Big Kev]

Yep, a draw is the most likely result now, but if we lose our last 3 wickets cheaply, it could become interesting.

 

[JohnnyG]

I think losing 3 early is the only way a win for either side is likely:/
Your lad Jones is walking on thinner ice now I'm afraid mate

 

[Big Kev]

I think losing 3 early is the only way a win for either side is likely:/
Your lad Jones is walking on thinner ice now I'm afraid mate

I think his time is up now, although he did take 5 in the Pakistan innings, his batting just isn't up to scratch.

 

[JohnnyG]

...which is odd as this time last year it was his keeping that let him down. Maybe he's put too much emphasis on that in practice recently, he can certainly do both but not at he same time it seems & the years are catching up on him.

 

[One More Solo]

Drawn match. This mornings addition of 40 runs or so was slightly baffling.

 

[Mad old tory]

I can understand what Strauss was doing, with players like Afridi and Razzaq in the team as well as Imzy, if he set them a tempting target they may well have got it. It's the first match of the series, so all is not lost by only drawing this one. Apparently Fred might replace Plunkett in the next match allowing Bell to keep his place. Plunkett has been pretty poor this match, but I'd like to see another bowler in there, even if it would be harsh on Bell who has played well in this match and had agood series over in Pak in the winter.

 

[JohnnyG]

Plunkett is our for the next 2 Tests at least, so Mahmood should replace him in the only change. OT is his home ground & it's very quick there at the moment so he should do well, shame we haven't got Freddie, he bowled like lighting there a couple of weeks ago, how unlucky is he?

 

[JohnnyG]

They're 4-1 as Harmison gets Farhat
Some good bowling going on too, Hoggie is swinging it & Harmy is getting some good bounce

Edit: 9-2 Harmy gets Akmal now