It’s the hope that kills you – day two from a desolate hole in the desert
Pakistan 257. England 207-5
It was so cruel. When Cook and Trott’s partnership took England to 166-1 after tea, the prospect of a big first innings lead, and victory in the second test, seemed almost real. So what if the ball was spitting off the pitch and it looked like a wicket might fall every over? We kidded ourselves that our batsmen’s luck was infinite – and that this match was being played at Brisbane, not some bunsen in the desert.
And then it happened. Trott was dismissed to a cracking ball from Rehman – made all the sweeter by the fact that it wasn’t a throw, just a beautiful piece of orthodox left arm spin bowling – and then Cook followed soon afterwards; lbw to (you guessed it) Mr Curve Ball.
Maybe it was just the pessimistic part of my body – which usually includes my head, torso, arms, hands, midriff, legs and feet – which expected us to collapse thereafter. Or maybe it was just the rational part of my brain, which sees a ball spinning viciously, batsmen who can’t play spin for toffee, and Pakistani bowlers with a spring in their step.
Ajmal was far too good for Pietersen (most spinners are these days), and as for Morgan, well you can’t blame the bloke really. Most batsmen would be out of their depth against this kind of bowling, in these kinds of conditions. It was a miracle that Bell managed to keep his wicket intact until the close.
So what can we expect tomorrow? England are approximately fifty behind with five wickets left. Unfortunately, those wickets are likely to disappear quicker than you can say ‘surely that’s got to be more than fifteen degrees’. Or even ‘yes, it looks more like thirty five or forty’.
As a result, I’m expecting England’s tail to collapse in a heap on day three. Not because they lack guts or ability; it’s simply because the bowling looks unplayable at times. It’s hard enough playing orthodox spinners on this track without accounting for a bloke who, let’s be honest, nobody could have envisaged all those years ago when cricket’s rules were written.
In order for England to get any kind of lead tomorrow, Bell and Prior will have to play out of their skins, get every piece of luck going, and then pray that the tail can slog a few. However, even if we manage to get a reasonable lead, we’ll still have to bat last – and it will be turning even more by then. It doesn’t look good.
Strangely enough, if you had offered us 200-5 yesterday evening, we probably would have taken it. Somehow, however, the events of the final hour have put a totally different spin on proceedings (if you excuse the pun). My conclusion? We’re doomed I tells ya. Doooooooommmmed!
James Morgan
