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BlindBadger · 18th January 2007, 16:33

Hello all - i'm new here and doesn't seem to be much activity on the Cricket threads so i hope this is ok.

So the second test is upon us. Pakistan are boosted by the news that run machine Mohammed Yousef is returning, along with Gul and Akhtar to strengthen the bowling. Not so convinced by Akhtar at the moment - match fit? Hasn't bowled since the one dayers in England (I think) and can't remember the last time he bowled in a test match

Yousef doesn't have a great record in SA but to be fair - you could argue he's in a bit of form at the moment.

Saffers will probably be unchanged, since Gibbs has appealed his ban and Steyn is still carrying an injury.

In my opinion i think i will be laying the draw. This is copied from Cricinfo:

"The groundsman, AD Carter, predicts that the pitch will provide bounce and pace, two words not often associated with the oldest test ground in South Africa.

Carter is confident that it will be a good wicket. "It reminds me of the one we had for the match between the Warriors and the Eagles earlier this month. That one had pace and bounce and we hope this one will be similar."

I did think about backing the draw at the start here, judging by previous results at this ground (it has had it's fair share of draws) and the fact the Pakistan will find it hard to bowl South Africa out for anything less than 400 in at least one of their innings, and with Yousef back to prop up an already fairly strong middle order with Inzy and Younis, i found it hard to see South Africa bowling out Pakistan twice, in addition to this, Pakistans openers seem to have found a bit of form.

However you can't argue with 3 straight test wins for the springboks, and with Nel, Pollock and Ntini always threatening, especially on a pitch with a lot of pace and bounce, combined with the attacking play of Gibbs, Pollock and Smith, i think a lay of the draw could be my opening position.

Good luck all.

18th January 2007, 16:33	#1 (permalink)
BlindBadger Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 127	South Africa V Pakistan 2nd Test Hello all - i'm new here and doesn't seem to be much activity on the Cricket threads so i hope this is ok. So the second test is upon us. Pakistan are boosted by the news that run machine Mohammed Yousef is returning, along with Gul and Akhtar to strengthen the bowling. Not so convinced by Akhtar at the moment - match fit? Hasn't bowled since the one dayers in England (I think) and can't remember the last time he bowled in a test match Yousef doesn't have a great record in SA but to be fair - you could argue he's in a bit of form at the moment. Saffers will probably be unchanged, since Gibbs has appealed his ban and Steyn is still carrying an injury. In my opinion i think i will be laying the draw. This is copied from Cricinfo: "The groundsman, AD Carter, predicts that the pitch will provide bounce and pace, two words not often associated with the oldest test ground in South Africa. Carter is confident that it will be a good wicket. "It reminds me of the one we had for the match between the Warriors and the Eagles earlier this month. That one had pace and bounce and we hope this one will be similar." I did think about backing the draw at the start here, judging by previous results at this ground (it has had it's fair share of draws) and the fact the Pakistan will find it hard to bowl South Africa out for anything less than 400 in at least one of their innings, and with Yousef back to prop up an already fairly strong middle order with Inzy and Younis, i found it hard to see South Africa bowling out Pakistan twice, in addition to this, Pakistans openers seem to have found a bit of form. However you can't argue with 3 straight test wins for the springboks, and with Nel, Pollock and Ntini always threatening, especially on a pitch with a lot of pace and bounce, combined with the attacking play of Gibbs, Pollock and Smith, i think a lay of the draw could be my opening position. Good luck all.