Story England's International Season [c2005] - Eng's tour of Pak

[m_vaughan]

England arrive in Pakistan

England cricketers arrive in Pakistan​

Michael Vaughan and his England team touched down on Lahore today morning, to kick-start their one and a half month long Pakistan tour. During this period, they will play, beside tour matches, three tests and five one day internationals. A one-off twenty20 international between the two sides is also scheduled though not 100% confirmed.​

The players were taken straight to the hotel amid tight security arrangements. Apart from airport security personnel, gun-toting commandos had taken up position at the airport well before the arrival of Michael Vaughan's side.​

As a result of this none of the players were able to talk to the media, but there will be a press conference held today evening at the team hotel.​

 

[m_vaughan]

England Press Conference

Vaughan expects series win

England captain Michael Vaughan, spoke highly of his team's chances of winning the test and one day series against Pakistan, at a Press Conference at the team hotel in Lahore.​

​

Speaking to local as well as foreign reporters and journalists, Vaughan said:​

"We've got a great team spirit, and this spirit has played a crucial role in our successes over the past two years. We also know which is our best team as well as our best team strategies, both of which were very successful in the Ashes series."​

​

However the England captain did mention, that the real challenge his team faced was to acclimatise to the conditions.​

"Our biggest threat is the conditions, because none of us have enough experience of playing here in the past, and most of us have never played at all. But this is one thing that we must overcome if we wish to be the best team in the world."​

​

When asked whether he was worried about his batsmen not being able to tackle the spin of Kaneria, Malik and Afridi on the turning wickets, Vaughan replied:​

"The last time England were here, we did manage to post large scores on a regular basis, despite having to face world class spin bowlers like Saqlain, Afridi and Mustaq. Besides, we will try and play at our best, make optimum use of our strengths, and try and keep Pakistan on the back-foot."​

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Similarly when asked about England's lack of a world class spinner, Vaughan said that he had full faith in Ashley Giles, and reminded the fact that the previous tour was a very successful one for the Warwickshire left hand spinner. Vaughan also said that he expected the two other spinners, Loudon and Udal, were capable of doing well on these wickets.​

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Finally speaking on Ashes hero Simon Jones, Vaughan admitted that his absence will be tough to cover up.​

"Simon is an integral part of the England team, had a massive role to play back home against Australia. He has the ability to pick up wickets on a regular basis, and his reverse-swing is almost impossible to handle at times."​

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England play Pakistan A in a warm up three day match starting Saturday.​

 

[RoboRocks]

Take out the pakistainis Vaughany

 

[brettLee]

i predict tough series..
story is getting more & more interesting

 

[m_vaughan]

International Cricket Update

International Cricket Update
brought to you by Sky Sports


Australia win Super Test and ODI Series

http://johnniewalkersuperseries.indiatimes.com/photo.cms?msid=1264693
The World champions comprehensively beat the World XI side in both forms of the game, putting the future of the series in doubt. The World XI side were completely outplayed in all departments, with most of its star players failing to perform.

For Australia however, it was a great comeback, after losing the Ashes to England prior to this series.


New Zealand edge South Africa in Twenty20 International

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith went from hero to villain as New Zealand won the Twenty20 international in Jo'burg.

He hit 61 off 43 balls in his side's innings but then saw his one and only over of off-spin go for 20 runs as the visitors slipped to a five-wicket loss.

South Africa were dismissed for 133 despite Smith's knock, Jeetan Patel and Nathan Astle both taking 3-20.

And the Kiwis reached their target with two overs to spare, taking full advantage when Smith opted to bowl. Smith gifted the home side extra runs by over-stepping the crease twice while Brendon McCullum hit a four and a six.

 

[m_vaughan]

Anderson shines in warmup matches

James Anderson impressed the most in the two warm-up games against Pakistan A and the Governer's XI respectively. The Lancashire fast bowler picked up 9 wickets in the first match as England drew with Pakistan A, and 11 wickets in the second game, which the visitors won by an innings and 24 runs. Ian Bell was the other star performer, scoring a brilliant 146 in the second game.

Warm up 3 day Match: Nov 31-Dec 2
Pakistan A 355 all out (Imran Nazir 88, J Anderson 6-42)
England 322-4 declared (A Strauss 102, R Afridi 3-79)
Pakistan A 56-5 (J Anderson 3-11)

Result: Match Drawn, MOM: James Anderson

Warm up 3 day Match: Nov 6-8
England 400-5 declared (I Bell 146)
Gov XI 190 all out (J Anderson 6-38)
Gov XI 186 all out (J Anderson 5-51)

Result: ENG win by an innings and 24 runs, MOM: James Anderson

 

[MWaugh]

Anderson is on fire from the get-go. I predict an england win and i think Giles will come into his own on the pakistani pitches. Lovely presentation as always m_vaughan

 

[jazz]

i think anybodys game in ODI but definatley england for tests

 

[m_vaughan]

i think anybodys game in ODI but definatley england for tests

Well the bookies agree with you mate, as England are favourites to win the test series.

Pakistan vs England
Test Series ODDS

Pakistan win 3-0: 22-1
Pakistan win 2-1: 10-1
Pakistan win 2-0: 9-1
Pakistan win 1-0: 13-2

England win 3-0: 12-1
England win 2-1: 7-1
England win 2-0: 9-2
England win 1-0: 5-1

Series Drawn 0-0: 12-1
Series Drawn 1-1: 3-1

The odds may seem a bit stingy but that's before you look closely at what's happened in the previous meetings between the two sides in Pakistan.

In 21 matches, Pakistan have won just two, England have won just two and there have been 17 draws. The dusty, lifeless pitches traditionally do not lend themselves to results, and in fact, only just over 50 percent of Tests in Pakistan have ended in a result.

 

[jazz]

England win 2-1: 7-1
England win 2-0: 9-2

now these are really good odds

 

[Ramz]

shud be a cracking series.. pakistan zindabad

 

[usy]

Cant wait

freddie VS Afridi
Shoaib VS Vaughan
Malik VS Anderson
Inzy VS harmson
pak VS Eng

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Best of Luck both teams
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[m_vaughan]

Pakistan vs England

Pepsi Test Series

1st Test Match

Multan

Preview:

England take on Pakistan in the first test match of the three match series at Multan tomorrow. England go into the series as favourites, and have been impressive in the two warm up matches prior to this test series.

Is Jimmy back to his best?​

And the player who seems to have regained his old form, is James Anderson, who bagged a total of 20 wickets in those two games. With Simon Jones out due to injury, Anderson is almost certain to play in this game.

Ian Bell and Andrew Strauss both registered centuries in those warm-up games, and will be geared up to score more runs in the big matches.

Andrew Strauss scored a fine century against Pakistan A​

Ashley Giles, who picked up 17 wickets in the last tour of Pakistan in 2001, is going to play a crucial role in this series as well. And then obviously, one cannot ignore the three great men of English cricket in Andrew Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen and Steve Harmison. All three matchwinners and exceptional cricketers.

Ashley Giles could be the key man for Michael Vaughan​

Matthew Hoggard could however face a tough time on these dead wickets, especially the one here in Multan which appears to be completely lifeless. It is hence very possible that England might have to play and additional spinner in the near future.

England captain Michael Vaughan is looking for a good start to the series, both as captain and with the bat.
"If we can start with a win here, then it will be great. In a three test match series, a win in the first test match is very important and crucial, as it is difficult for the other team to comeback."

A rather confident England captain wants a winning start​

The England captain however wasnt pleased with the pitch at Multan.
"It is extremely unfair to the bowlers to have pitches like this. It will be very difficult to get wickets on this pitch, and to pick up a total of 40 wickets within the five days, is going to ask something special from the bowlers."

 

[joem87]

brilliant depth mate keep it up

 

[ashu2411]

Everyone get their popcorns ready for this exciting series .