1st Test; Australia v Pakistan @ The Gabba November 21-25

[Gough]

Cricket season, bloody beauty.

Naseem Shah set to debut as Pakistan face daunting challenge at Gabba stronghold

Mitchell Starc returns for Australia who look to build on after retaining the Ashes in a drawn series

www.espncricinfo.com

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Should be a close series, underestimate Pakisan at our peril. Wish it was 3 tests though

 

[workhorse]

Should be a close series, underestimate Pakisan at our peril. Wish it was 3 tests though

Is there any reason Canberra or Hobart couldn't have had a test?

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Is there any reason Canberra or Hobart couldn't have had a test?

I'm the worst person to ask, no idea. Hate 2 match series

 

[iluvparis]

Yeah nah - we will win easily at home like the flat track bullies we are.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Yeah nah - we will win easily at home like the flat track bullies we are.

Probably but only if we play well. Not as if we have 6 batsmen in form...Rely heavily on Smith

 

[workhorse]

I'm the worst person to ask, no idea. Hate 2 match series

It was more a rhetorical question, as I doubt there's a significant reason why they couldn't have had a 3rd test. I agree, 2 match series are the worst - especially against Pakistan who are more than respectable.

 

[OhhhhhCyril]

Yeah nah - we will win easily at home like the flat track bullies we are.

Quoted for truth. Would be interesting to find out how dominate home teams are during a test series over a sustained period. I am sure we are not the only country that dominates at home and struggles away.

 

[OhhhhhCyril]

Probably but only if we play well. Not as if we have 6 batsmen in form...Rely heavily on Smith

Can you imagine if Smith didn’t play in god mode over in England. Would have lost 5-0. Unfortunately we became so reliant on the guy.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

It was more a rhetorical question, as I doubt there's a significant reason why they couldn't have had a 3rd test. I agree, 2 match series are the worst - especially against Pakistan who are more than respectable.

Just seems silly to say the least. Give a test to Canberra, Hobart, etc.

 

[joff]

Great to see Katich commentating hope we bat

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Can you imagine if Smith didn’t play in god mode over in England. Would have lost 5-0. Unfortunately we became so reliant on the guy.

Don't agree with that, think we would have lost but would have been 2-1 or something. Not as if England were any good

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Quoted for truth. Would be interesting to find out how dominate home teams are during a test series over a sustained period. I am sure we are not the only country that dominates at home and struggles away.

Weirdly India are the one team who has done well away from home lately. It's a common trend worldwide though, everyone flat track bullies everyone

 

[boncer34]

Should be a close series, underestimate Pakisan at our peril. Wish it was 3 tests though

Lol. I love this time of year, it's the only time I read your dribble.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Lol. I love this time of year, it's the only time I read your dribble.

How won't it be close? They have a very good bowling attack, and a great spinner. Yes their batting is thin, but ours is too mate.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Is there any reason Canberra or Hobart couldn't have had a test?

No reason they couldn't, but CA has negotiated the FTP to only be five Tests a summer. So both are unlikely to ever host a Test again, and certainly not in the next couple of years.

As for this series, Azhar Ali left Australia as possibly the best opener in the world last time. How sme ofmthenother badtmen adjust to the bounce of Australian conditions, traditionally the downfall of sub-continental teams, will go a long way to seeing if they can post scores. And that pace attack looks raw, bound to be prone to a few loose spells at some point.
Australia's batting, at home, won't be terrible. Another false hope series in the making on that front?

 

[Ekomaira]

stupid coin

 

[Van_Dyke]

While they obviously have 30 minutes until the first ball, this crowd doesn’t look good.

 

[OhhhhhCyril]

Ugh bowling

 

[LukeParkerno1]

lol Paine

Losing tosses

 

[LukeParkerno1]

At least it means we will be batting on the weekend, that's the main thing

 

[iluvparis]

Probably but only if we play well. Not as if we have 6 batsmen in form...Rely heavily on Smith

We can play average in this series at home and still win it without a drama

 

[iluvparis]

How won't it be close? They have a very good bowling attack, and a great spinner. Yes their batting is thin, but ours is too mate.

They will be pounded like they always are when they come over here.

 

[OhhhhhCyril]

I’am a bit slow, but why is Burns playing??

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I’am a bit slow, but why is Burns playing??

Best opening candidate. No one else deserved the spot.