The upcoming three test match series between Australia and Pakistan could be the best possible chance for the sub-continent side to beat the Aussies in their own den. Pakistan have so far struggled to adjust with the bouncing ball, just like other teams from the same region. But they also know the fact that if it is possible anytime, it is now.
Ozs headache
Ozs headache
Australia are still trying to fill the gap left by the exit of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Mathew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist. The ever-increasing injury list of their players is also a worrying factor for team chief selector Andrew Hilditch.
But the best thing with Australia is their domestic cricket. It is very strong and competitive. So, any player coming in the side does not take long before going out. The reserved players also know that it could be the only chance they would get in the years to come. So they try to make full use of the opportunity presented to them.
Australian squad
But the best thing with Australia is their domestic cricket. It is very strong and competitive. So, any player coming in the side does not take long before going out. The reserved players also know that it could be the only chance they would get in the years to come. So they try to make full use of the opportunity presented to them.
Australian squad
The selectors have included Phillip Hughes as a cover for Ricky Ponting in the squad of thirteen for the first test match. Ponting got injured by a rising delivery from Kemar Roach during the first innings of the third test match against West Indies. Though, it looks improbable that Punter would miss the Boxing Day encounter as he would not like to give the opponents any chance to do something they haven't done till date.
Except Ponting, the rest of the batting line-up— Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Marcus North, wicket-keeper batsman Brad Haddin — is expected to remain same.
Peter Siddle has also returned after the injury. It seems that Australia's pace attack will be led by Doug Bollinger, who impressed one and all by his spirited show against the Caribbean side lately. Mitchell Johnson too looked sharp with his pace at times, but still he is nowhere close to his heroics of the last season when he took 60 wickets in 12 tests. Siddle may replace Clint McKay, who made his de
but in the third match against West Indies. Nathan Hauritz will once again fill the spinner's gap.
Inexperience in Pak batting
Pakistan on the other hand, had a good tour of New Zealand lately. They lost the nail-biter first test match which they could have also won, came back strongly in the second with their bowling prowess and managed to draw the last match.
They also had a good tour match against Tasmania. It gave their players the only chance to acclimatize with the pace and bounce of the Australian wickets.
Their batting is mainly dependent on the shoulders of their captain Mohammad Yousuf. Though, Salman Butt has also hit a big century at Hobart and also had a ton to his name when the side toured Australia last time, his skills to play the ball outside the off stump is his weak point.
Imran Farhat does not have the concentration level to play a long inning. Shoaib Malik is still finding out what he is good at — batting or bowling — or may be none. Misbah-ul-Haq has played loads of domestic cricket and this might be the reason he does not know how to replicate that success at a bigger level.
Akmal brothers are the only glimmer of hope in the Pakistan batting line-up other than Yousuf. Umar Akamal has had a terrific time with the bat since he had made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in August. He has already scored a century and three fifties in his first three test matches. His older brother Kamran is also amongst the runs in the last few series. They, together with their skipper will share the bulk of the responsibility when it comes to taking their side to a respectable total.
Bowling in full-flow
They seem to have a good combination of fast and spin bowlers. Their pace attack has been strengthened by the return of Mohammad Asif, who was phenomenal with his line and length against the Kiwis. Mohammad Aamer was nothing short of a revelation in the last few months. He is accurate as well as fast. Umar Gul has imporved as a bowler, though, he still needs to prove his worth in the longer version of the game on a consistent basis. The surprise inclusion of Mohammad Sami is a big gamble by the team selectors. He will return after a gap of two years after delinking his ties with the now defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Saeed Ajmal’s form is proving decisive for the side. Most of the teams are finding it hard to cope with 'doosra' of this off spinner. He is more of the mould of champion spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.
So, things seem to look balanced for both the sides. But if Pakistan play with spirit, courage and patience, then this team would book their place in the record books.
Except Ponting, the rest of the batting line-up— Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Marcus North, wicket-keeper batsman Brad Haddin — is expected to remain same.
Peter Siddle has also returned after the injury. It seems that Australia's pace attack will be led by Doug Bollinger, who impressed one and all by his spirited show against the Caribbean side lately. Mitchell Johnson too looked sharp with his pace at times, but still he is nowhere close to his heroics of the last season when he took 60 wickets in 12 tests. Siddle may replace Clint McKay, who made his de
but in the third match against West Indies. Nathan Hauritz will once again fill the spinner's gap.Inexperience in Pak batting
Pakistan on the other hand, had a good tour of New Zealand lately. They lost the nail-biter first test match which they could have also won, came back strongly in the second with their bowling prowess and managed to draw the last match.
They also had a good tour match against Tasmania. It gave their players the only chance to acclimatize with the pace and bounce of the Australian wickets.
Their batting is mainly dependent on the shoulders of their captain Mohammad Yousuf. Though, Salman Butt has also hit a big century at Hobart and also had a ton to his name when the side toured Australia last time, his skills to play the ball outside the off stump is his weak point.
Imran Farhat does not have the concentration level to play a long inning. Shoaib Malik is still finding out what he is good at — batting or bowling — or may be none. Misbah-ul-Haq has played loads of domestic cricket and this might be the reason he does not know how to replicate that success at a bigger level.
Akmal brothers are the only glimmer of hope in the Pakistan batting line-up other than Yousuf. Umar Akamal has had a terrific time with the bat since he had made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in August. He has already scored a century and three fifties in his first three test matches. His older brother Kamran is also amongst the runs in the last few series. They, together with their skipper will share the bulk of the responsibility when it comes to taking their side to a respectable total.
Bowling in full-flow
They seem to have a good combination of fast and spin bowlers. Their pace attack has been strengthened by the return of Mohammad Asif, who was phenomenal with his line and length against the Kiwis. Mohammad Aamer was nothing short of a revelation in the last few months. He is accurate as well as fast. Umar Gul has imporved as a bowler, though, he still needs to prove his worth in the longer version of the game on a consistent basis. The surprise inclusion of Mohammad Sami is a big gamble by the team selectors. He will return after a gap of two years after delinking his ties with the now defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Saeed Ajmal’s form is proving decisive for the side. Most of the teams are finding it hard to cope with 'doosra' of this off spinner. He is more of the mould of champion spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.
So, things seem to look balanced for both the sides. But if Pakistan play with spirit, courage and patience, then this team would book their place in the record books.
This is worth noting that if Pakistan play with whole-hearted spirit, courage and patience then its almost sure that they are all set to emerge a winner of sub-continent side and could able to fix their place in record books. This is very true that Australian squad, once called an all time champion, has become shaky and gradually teetering. They are trying to cope with injured bunch and also in process of bridging the gap emerged after the exit of their stars McGrath, Warne, Gilchrist.... Therefore, if Pakistan take a holstic approach by keeping in mind their past performances then no forces perhaps could stop the idea.
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