Second Test, Pakistan v Australia (Abu Dhabi) – Day 2: Younis Piles on the Aussie Pain

YOUNIS PILES ON THE AUSSIE PAIN 

Things went from bad to worse for the Aussies on Day 2. An early dropped chance by David Warner and an injury to Brad Haddin were signs of things to come. David Warner donned the gloves and wasted no time in missing a stumping chance from the first ball he kept to Nathan Lyon.

Younis (Younus?) Khan was simply outstanding in his inning of 213 joining Inzy and the great Javed Miandad as the only three Pakistanis to make 8,000 runs. The Pakistani No. 4 now has 422 Runs across two matches the most by any batsman against Australia in two matches. Perhaps the selectors should leave him out of the next series if this is the response although surely we will be seeing him at the World Cup.

Skipper Misbah also chipped in for a brilliant 115 to join Ali with 109 as century makers. There was little joy with the ball for the Aussies With Starc Having Ali caught down the leg side and Siddle bowling Misbah. Only Starc took multiple wickets with Marsh and Maxwell going wicketless. Questions have to be raised over the selections of the Aussie team. A wrist spinner is a must in Asian conditions for variety and Cameron Boyce surely should have played. Siddle has looked ineffective in his last three outings and Johnson is not as effective without Harris at the other end. Maxwell is not a Test bowler and whether Nathan Lyon can hold down a position as number one spinner is still in question. The selectors have a lot of problems leading into the Indian series.

It is rare for me to struggle to watch cricket but I switched to the soccer with the Reds playing Melbourne City. This was a corker of a game with Adelaide coming from one nil down to win 2-1 spoiling David Villa’s last game. With the 36ers and the Redbacks struggling it looks like the unbeaten Adelaide United will be the team to follow.

When Misbah finally declared at 6 for 570 the Aussies where left a nasty period to bat. Warner looked good hitting three fours in the first over but Rogers perished caught behind to Imran Khan (mark 2).  Bad light called a halt after 5.2 overs leaving the Aussies staring down the barrel of their first series loss to Pakistan in 20 years.

 

 

Comments

  1. I’m curious how Glenn Maxwell fares at number 3. Since Ricky Ponting vacated the position it’s left a huge void. The best performed batsmen in that spot has been Shane Watson, averaging 41 when batting at 3. He is not going to be an option for the future as it’s doubtful he’ll play much more test cricket let alone fill the important number 3 spot. Let’s see how Glenn Maxwell takes his chance.

    Glen !

  2. I loved the cricket last night. Watched “Fire in Babylon” on YouTube.
    Agree with you 100% about the A-League game Raj. Melbourne City are a typical ‘team of champions’ with no Heart (pun intended). Looked good for half an hour then threw the toys out of the cot. Loved the way Adelaide kept running at them and taking them on.
    Do you think you could get Rulebook to the round ball game to watch some winners, or is he a died in the wool Redbacks tragic?

  3. Malcolm Ashwood says

    Thanks Raj yes forgettable day again . Hasn’t it always been a all rounder good enough to hold his spot on 1 aspect of his game and the other is the bonus such as Johnson , Maxwell therefore a amazing selection . PB impossible when you are a Redbacks tragic not to jump on to any winners go you reds !

  4. Maxwell is a 3 legged chair.

  5. G’day Raj.
    Hats off to Younis Khan. Concentration personified.
    Looks like NM Lyon gets a crack at the Number 3 role.
    Could do worse.

  6. Luke Reynolds says

    Thanks Raj. Younis in great company with Javed and Inzy now. Hope he’s selected for the World Cup.

  7. I’m still scratching my head at the omission of Phil Hughes in favour of The Minute Show.

    I would have thought Ashton Agar is a better bet than Maxwell as a Test player.

    The quicker this is over, the better.

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