Dot Dot Dot

Pakistan 234 all out
v England 4-0
close on Day 1

Sharjah CA Stadium

Sunday 1 November 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

Dry Day #23

I saw alcohol on Friday. As we were between games we went to Friday Brunch Buffet. Friday is the Big Weekend. Many restaurants & hotels offer all you can eat & drink buffets. I did a bit of research as to whether anywhere had a Craft Beer offer. I basically got nowhere. So, we just hit one that was local to our apartment. I tried. I asked what the beer was. Amstel. I asked whether the bubbles were French Champagne. No.

Mrs Ball Sup was able to plough into the Gin & Tonics. But, nowt for me in that offer. Shout out to her. And shout out to The Barmy Army. They've done some deal with Sharjah Wanderers Sports Club. About the only place that can legally sell alcohol in Sharjah. They'll let you have 7 day membership (at a price). Apparently it's walkable from the cricket. So, a few went off at Lunch.

Very different feel to the ground in Sharjah than in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. More of an old style ground. Low ramshackle stands apart from the Grandstand. Elements of higgledy and piggeldy. The main benches only cheap seats were all closed. As we were worried about the sun, we went upmarket. In the Grandstand at nine quid a throw.

The ground is in more of a built up urban/industrial area. Although it was still a ballache getting a taxi after.

So, they went with Bairstow for Buttler to squeeze Samit Patel in. Not for me.

But, that day has put England in the game. Superb disciplined bowling by Broad & Anderson. Adapt to the conditions. Deny them runs. Pressure, she come. Wickets, he follow. Dot after dot. Superb.

The spinners let them down. Too many easy, release runs. Simple maths though. Lost the Toss, got through the overs, for only 250, batting before close. In it.

230/467