Pakistan Defensive Fielding Loses 2nd Test

Can't resist a post about yesterdays Test Cricket from Sydney! Having enjoyed the contest on Day One [with the generous Geoff Smith] from the relative calm of the Members Area I was astonished at yesterdays capitulation by the Pakistan team.

Bowling on a greentop Day One they rolled us for 120 odd and we went into Day 5 with only an 80 run lead. The Pakistan skipper and brainstrust had obviously decided we'd hang in with only 2 wickets in hand and they went ultra-conservative in the field from ball one.

Trouble is they handed the initiative back and the 176 run lead was enough to cause them pressure headaches. While the skipper blamed his shot for caught and bowled the commentators in post match interviews [at least the ones I heard] dogged the question about the field placements, having sledged him mercilessly all morning!!

These days my year only settles don enough to really get into the Boxing Day and New Years Tests so it's been enjoyable to slow down and take it all in...

While on it... here's my Test XI despite the 'success' of the current crop

1. Phillip Hughes

2. Simon Katich

3. Ricky Ponting [until after next years Ashes Tests]

4. Michael Clarke

5. Marcus North

6. Shane Watson

7. Brad Haddin

8. Mitchell Johnson

9. Nathan Hauritz

10. Ben Hilfenhaus

11. Doug Bollinger

12. Steve Smith

Tour Extras:

Shaun Marsh

Moises Henriques

3 to be added