ODIs v. Pakistan, UAE

[K]

Cummins, Zampa, ?, ?

Not sure of the question/s. Zampa's a specialist ODIer and Cummins gets a game in any format.

I meant 4 spots are available; 2 are taken (by PC, AZ); 2 are question marks. The question marks I was too tired to fill in. They'll no doubt be hoping Starc is one, but his form wasn't great before his injury. (Smith's ODI form wasn't either.)

[K]

The UAE series matters only as WC preparation. Pakistan's captain said so (sort of)!
...

'... "winning or losing doesn't make a difference". It was clumsily phrased, probably not what he meant in the manner it was interpreted, but it set off a firestorm of outrage, led by Ramiz himself, who questioned why the series was being played then.' (cricinfo)

Well, the answer is obvious: for WC prep.


'Adam Zampa hasn't reaped the rewards a top spinner on Sharjah's pitches normally should. He was disciplined and consistent in the first ODI, conceding just 44 in 10 overs, but discipline and consistency is what finger spinners are usually for. The wicket-taking menace that makes legspinners so revered and frustrating in equal measure hasn't shone through in Zampa's game thus far, and 1-57 in the second ODI indicated he hasn't quite hit his straps yet.'

Still out-bowling Lyon, though.

[K]

Early ODI 3 odds: Oz 1.53 [~62%], Pakistan 2.50 [~38%].

Anyone who takes up the bookie's offer of betting on the coin toss must be nuts.

[Donny]

Finch chose to bat first, in the 3rd. match.

Khawaja out for a duck, first over.

[Donny]

2/41 after 9 overs.

Finch 7*, Handscomb 19*

[Donny]

16 gone.

Two Vics batting well.

2/78. Handscomb 33*, Finch 30*.

[Donny]

4/173 after 39 overs.

Finch 87*, Maxwell 10*.

[Donny]

Finch caught in the deep for 90.

5/189. 8 overs left.

[K]

6/266 (50). Maxwell dropped on 27, run out (again) for 71 (55).
Innings break.

Oz 1.66 [~57%], Pakistan 2.20 [~43%].

[K]

Pakistan 1/14 (5). Wicket maiden for Cummins.

Oz 1.44 [~66%], Pakistan 2.75 [~34%].

[K]

12 dot balls in a row now.

Oz 1.36 [~70%], Pakistan 3.20 [~30%].

[K]

Cummins takes another wicket.
Pakistan 2/16 (6.3).
But rain now in the desert. How many overs do we need for D-L to kick in?

Oz 1.22 [~78%], Pakistan 4.33 [~22%].
If it's rained out, I guess all bets are returned, right?

[K]

The rain lasted longer than Rizwan, 0 (3).
2nd wicket in the over.
3/16.

Oz 1.10 [~86%], Pakistan 7.00 [~14%].

You have to ask whether the rain has spiced up the pitch.


Update:
50 partnership.
3/66 (19.2)
Period of stabilization, as expected.

Oz 1.14 [~83%], Pakistan 5.50 [~17%].

[K]

Maxwell takes the wicket of Imam.
4/75 (20.4).

Oz 1.083 [~88%], Pakistan 8.00 [~12%].

There have been 3 reviews in 21 overs: overrule out, overrule in, confirm out.

[K]

5/96 (25.3).

Oz 1.04 [~93%], Pakistan 13.00 [~7%].


Update:

Pakistan all out 186 (44.4).

With the RRR blowing out, the last 4 wickets disappeared in 10 Zampa balls (16 balls overall).