1st Test: Australia V Pakistan

[stan]

Aussie Squad:

Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Clint McKay, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson.

[Rik E Boy]

Pakistan a real chance in this series. Might even plonk some money on them.

regards,

REB

[CoverKing]

Are they really a chance tho? I think they are, but watching the entire NZ v PAK series, they were disgraceful in large chunks.

The 3 pictures we play on could well suit them more then us. Im tipping a 2-0 victory for the Aussies.

[Gozu]

Slight chance I'd say only because we struggle against their spinners. That one-day tour in Abu Dhabi/Dubai this year against them was borderline embarrassing. Ajmal & Afridi went through us a few times but I don't think Afridi is even in their Test or ODI teams anymore but I think Kaneria has bowled well against us in Test cricket before.

[Rik E Boy]

We are average CK and very beatable in my books.

regards,

REB

[CoverKing]

Slight chance I'd say only because we struggle against their spinners. That one-day tour in Abu Dhabi/Dubai this year against them was borderline embarrassing. Ajmal & Afridi went through us a few times but I don't think Afridi is even in their Test or ODI teams anymore but I think Kaneria has bowled well against us in Test cricket before.

yeah Ajmal is a ODI bowler.Watched him in the first test match against NZ and he was ordinary. Do agree kaneria will trouble us. i just think that their young 17year old may struggle, Aamer, as the opening bowler in two series in a row. Could take its toll on him at such a young age.

Cant see them beating us myself, but we are defenitely beatable. i just think that their not that good either!

[Bum Crack]

I'm on the Paki's to give us a touch up.

[wycbloods]

I'm on the Paki's to give us a touch up.

How many of them are you on?

[Bum Crack]

I'm on the Paki's to give us a touch up.

How many of them are you on?

I should actually get on the opposite team you think will win, because you have the kiss of death, as I witnessed yesterday

[wycbloods]

I'm on the Paki's to give us a touch up.

How many of them are you on?

I should actually get on the opposite team you think will win, because you have the kiss of death, as I witnessed yesterday

yeah what was it about 8/60. Not a bad effort that one even from us.

[Rik E Boy]

I'm on the Paki's to give us a touch up.

How many of them are you on?

That's it, I'm off to the betting shop....

regards,

REB

[brod]

Peter Siddle must get through Wednesday's FR Cup match against New South Wales to play in Saturday's opening Test against Pakistan. Siddle missed the final West Indies game in Perth with a nagging hamstring complaint but has been picked in the Boxing Day squad.

[rod_rooster]

Will be interesting to see what happens with the batting oder if Ponting doesn't play. Will Hughes open and Watson drop to the middle order?

[stan]

Will be interesting to see what happens with the batting oder if Ponting doesn't play. Will Hughes open and Watson drop to the middle order?

Well Hughes would come in as an opener, but noting that Ponting is a geniune number 3 you need to look at the lineup to determine this. At the moment I would be agaisnt moving Watson, simply because when your making runs dont friggen touch anything.

Perhaps Katich could come in at 3 with a Watson and Hughes combination to open to the innings.

[mal]

Strange ?
VI V NS Franger Cup game today
Phil Hughes will not play in the lead up Franger Cup game
Peter Sizzle will

Sizzle needs a hit out b4 the Test
Hughes who may not even play in either game

[mal]

AU wont lose the series
But PA have a good draw
They dont have a minor lead up game and have to play on the bouncy Gabba wicket
The Gabba wicket is a prolific one for AU to pulverise the opposition and get 1-0 up
PA will be playing on traditionally slower and flatter wickets for this series

If we have any spinning decks PA are better equpped
HUGHUES/WATSON/NORTH are all suspect against quality spin early n thier innings
PONTING also might struggle if spin is bowled at him early

PA will not fear facing HAURITZ or/KREZJA/SMITH/CLARKE/KAT/NORTH/HEAL/MCGAIN this summer

[Bum Crack]

AU wont lose the series
But PA have a good draw
They dont have a minor lead up game and have to play on the bouncy Gabba wicket
The Gabba wicket is a prolific one for AU to pulverise the opposition and get 1-0 up
PA will be playing on traditionally slower and flatter wickets for this series

If we have any spinning decks PA are better equpped
HUGHUES/WATSON/NORTH are all suspect against quality spin early n thier innings
PONTING also might struggle if spin is bowled at him early

PA will not fear facing HAURITZ or/KREZJA/SMITH/CLARKE/KAT/NORTH/HEAL/MCGAIN this summer

Gabba wicket??? Am I missing something??

[mal]

BC , yeah better clarify my post, it is a tad confusing

Just staing that PA are NOT playing at the GABBA like some other International teams do
There4 they have a better chance of not being 1-0 down in the series

[westcoastpanther]

I hope Watson doesn't make another run for Australia, ever!! I will be baracking against him from now on.....

[Bum Crack]

BC , yeah better clarify my post, it is a tad confusing

Just staing that PA are NOT playing at the GABBA like some other International teams do
There4 they have a better chance of not being 1-0 down in the series

Geez, I got quite depressed there for a moment, thinking the test has been moved from the MCG