Cheema writes off England batting woes
DUBAI: Fast-rising paceman Aizaz Cheema Wednesday said the Pakistan team was not reading much into England's recent run of poor batting displays, acknowledging that Test matches would be a different ball game.
England, which rose to world number one in Test rankings last year, were restricted to 185-8 and managed 261-7 during their hard fought three-wicket win in a three-day match against an ICC Combined XI.
They were also unimpressive with 269-9 declared against Pakistan Cricket Board XI on Wednesday, with only opener Alastair Cook showing good form, scoring 133.
"Test match cricket will be different, it will have different conditions and teams will have a different approach come the first Test," said Cheema of the three-Test series which starts here from January 17.
"At the back of their mind England players will know that they are playing a Test so we are not reading much into their failures in the side's games and are ready for them," said Cheema.
The 32-year-old Cheema made his mark with eight wickets in his debut Test against Zimbabwe in September last year and has since been an ever-stay in the team.
Cheema said England won't be different from other teams.
"The challenge of playing England is not much different from other challenges and we are not taking England differently. We have done well recently so we need to keep that momentum," said Cheema.
Pakistan have not lost a Test series since losing to England in 2010 -- a tour marred by the spot-fixing scandal which ended in jail terms and bans for then-captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.
Cheema said it was essential that all bowlers kept the basics right.
"England may be the top team in the world but we need to do the basics right, like we always do and if you give hundred percent then any team can struggle against you," he said, admitting that Cook and fellow opener Andrew Strauss would be a challenge.
"I am a swing bowler so I will do my best to get the early swing and give a good start for the team," said Cheema. "Strauss and Cook pose a real challenge because they are a very mature opening pair.
"We need to get them out early because when you get openers early it puts pressure on the middle order," said Cheema. "The conditions and the pitches are similar to Pakistan, so those will help us."
The Tests will be followed by four one-day and three Twenty20 internationals. AGENCIES
2nd Australia test: India crushed by an innings, 68 runs
SYDNEY: Australia beat India by an innings and 68 runs on the fourth day of the second test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
India were dismissed for 400 in their second innings after tea, losing their last seven wickets for 129 runs after Sachin Tendulkar departed for 80.
Defeat for the tourists, coming after their 122-run loss in Melbourne last week, ends their hopes of a maiden test series triumph in Australia.
The big breakthrough came 30 minutes after lunch when Tendulkar was again thwarted in his chase for his 100th international century with part-time spinner Michael Clarke claiming the prized wicket.
Clarke, who became only the sixth Australian to score a Test triple century on Thursday, capped a magnificent match when he coaxed an edge off Tendulkar to Michael Hussey at slip for 80 off 141 balls. AGENCIES
India were dismissed for 400 in their second innings after tea, losing their last seven wickets for 129 runs after Sachin Tendulkar departed for 80.
Defeat for the tourists, coming after their 122-run loss in Melbourne last week, ends their hopes of a maiden test series triumph in Australia.
The big breakthrough came 30 minutes after lunch when Tendulkar was again thwarted in his chase for his 100th international century with part-time spinner Michael Clarke claiming the prized wicket.
Clarke, who became only the sixth Australian to score a Test triple century on Thursday, capped a magnificent match when he coaxed an edge off Tendulkar to Michael Hussey at slip for 80 off 141 balls. AGENCIES
India-Aus Test: Michael Clarke hits triple century
SYDNEY: Australia captain Michael Clarke reached 300 runs just after lunch on the third day of the second test against India on Thursday, recording only the 25th triple century in test cricket.
The righthander flicked the ball through midwicket off the bowling of Ishant Sharma for the 37th four of his marathon innings to become the 21st cricketer to reach the milestone.
Clarke whipped off his helmet to acknowledge a standing ovation from the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground and pointed his bat towards the home dressing room.
The 30-year-old joined Don Bradman (twice), Bob Simpson, Bob Cowper, Mark Taylor and Matthew Hayden as the sixth Australian to achieve the feat.
The triple century came from 432 balls in 567 minutes and also included one six.
Clarke had already established the highest score in 100 tests at the ground when he passed the 287 scored by England's Tip Foster in 1902-3 just before lunch.
The righthander flicked the ball through midwicket off the bowling of Ishant Sharma for the 37th four of his marathon innings to become the 21st cricketer to reach the milestone.
Clarke whipped off his helmet to acknowledge a standing ovation from the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground and pointed his bat towards the home dressing room.
The 30-year-old joined Don Bradman (twice), Bob Simpson, Bob Cowper, Mark Taylor and Matthew Hayden as the sixth Australian to achieve the feat.
The triple century came from 432 balls in 567 minutes and also included one six.
Clarke had already established the highest score in 100 tests at the ground when he passed the 287 scored by England's Tip Foster in 1902-3 just before lunch.
