Really interesting series this as they should be two evenly matched (ie flawed) sides, but both are teams who look as if they finally may be ready to start making some progress now the WIndies have dropped that waster Gayle and Pakistan have purged most of the match-fixers.
I think Pakistan may have made cricket history by opening with a spinner in the first innings of a test match. It would smell of spot-fixing, other than Devon Smith is atrocious facing spin bowling.
I'm hoping for big things from Lendl Simmons (nephew of Phil) and Darren Bravo (half-brother to Dwayne) as I think they can be big players in the WIndies' revival - talking of which keep an eye out for Fire In Babylon which is due to hit cinema screens soon. IMO Smith is keeping a spot warm until Adrian Barath is fit again and Nash until Dwayne is back from the IPL. Roach, Rampaul and Bishoo have the makings of a respectable attack although God knows what Sammy is doing in there, get in Fidel Edwards or Andre Russell.
From Pakistan I'm hoping Mohammad Hafeez continues his progress he showed in the ODIs and develops into a steady influence at the top of the order for Pakistan. It's a big opportunity for Shafiq and Azhar Ali to further their embryonic careers. Pakistan's batting has been woeful in recent years, hopefully these guys can show some backbone and make them a competitive side again. I'm still gutted that Afridi has retired from tests.
Ultimately, I think the slow, low pitches may turn out to be the winners, but if both sides can show some application and discipline and resist throwing away their wickets this could be the start of the comeback for two once great cricketing sides.
I think Pakistan may have made cricket history by opening with a spinner in the first innings of a test match. It would smell of spot-fixing, other than Devon Smith is atrocious facing spin bowling.
I'm hoping for big things from Lendl Simmons (nephew of Phil) and Darren Bravo (half-brother to Dwayne) as I think they can be big players in the WIndies' revival - talking of which keep an eye out for Fire In Babylon which is due to hit cinema screens soon. IMO Smith is keeping a spot warm until Adrian Barath is fit again and Nash until Dwayne is back from the IPL. Roach, Rampaul and Bishoo have the makings of a respectable attack although God knows what Sammy is doing in there, get in Fidel Edwards or Andre Russell.
From Pakistan I'm hoping Mohammad Hafeez continues his progress he showed in the ODIs and develops into a steady influence at the top of the order for Pakistan. It's a big opportunity for Shafiq and Azhar Ali to further their embryonic careers. Pakistan's batting has been woeful in recent years, hopefully these guys can show some backbone and make them a competitive side again. I'm still gutted that Afridi has retired from tests.
Ultimately, I think the slow, low pitches may turn out to be the winners, but if both sides can show some application and discipline and resist throwing away their wickets this could be the start of the comeback for two once great cricketing sides.
