Pakistan Vs Australia 1st test preview
The first test between Australia and Pakistan will be played on the boxing day at the Melbourne cricket ground. Both teams are quite evenly matched with Australia having a home advantage and an edge against Pakistan in batting and fielding. Pakistan has a clear advantage over Australia in bowling as they have more variety in their pace attack and have two top class spinners.
Historically Pakistan has never won a test series in Australia their batting always lets them down, but cricket pundits are saying that Australia is going through a transition and right now they are quite vulnerable, but I beg to differ. The Aussie batting is quite experienced and their top order is in good form. They haven’t been tested against quality spinners recently, it’s yet to be seen how they will perform against Kaneria.
Pakistan usually play a test match with four bowlers, the absence of Razzaq from the team will eliminate the option of playing Ajmal and Kaneria together in a test match. Siddle’s return has strengthened Australian pace attack and since they have a genuine allrounder in Watson they enjoy the luxury of playing with five bowlers in fact Micheal clarke gives them the option of the sixth bowler.
The conditions at MCG will suit Aussie pacers more than the Pakistani bowlers as Pakistani pace bowlers rely more on seam and swing. If the pitch didn’t offered any sideways movement then Mohammad Asif will be neutralized. Pakistan must play Umar Gul as the conditions will suit him better than any other bowler in the Pakistani line up.
Form report
The following are the batting and bowling averages from the last test series played by the key players from Pakistan and Australia.
Pakistan team
Umar Akmal 379 runs from 6 inn @ 63.16
Imran farhat 268 runs from 6 inn @ 53.60
Kamran Akmal 257 runs from 6 inn @ 51.70
Mohammad Yousaf 230 runs from 6 inn @ 38.33
Faisal Iqbal 73 runs from 2 inn @ 36.5
Salman Butt 122 runs from 4 inn @ 30.50
Mohammad Aamer 101 runs from 6 inn at 16.83 and 7 wkts @ 43.71
Mohammad Asif 19 wkts from 6 innings @ 19.81
Danish Kaneria 13 wkts from 4 inn @ 20.68
Umar Gul 8 wkts from 6 inn @ 46.41
Australian team
Simon KATICH: 302 runs @ 60.40
Shane WATSON: 263 runs @ 52.60, 8 wickets @ 26.37
Michael HUSSEY: 235 runs @ 47.00, 1 wicket @ 3.00
Ricky PONTING: 136 runs @ 34.00
Michael CLARKE: 209 runs @ 52.25
Marcus NORTH: 166 runs @ 33.20, 0 wickets for 62
Brad HADDIN: 225 runs @ 75.00, 14 catches
Nathan HAURITZ: 80 runs @ 40.00, 11 wickets @ 33.00
Doug BOLLINGER: 2 runs @ 2.00, 13 wickets @ 19.84
Mitchell JOHNSON: 52 runs @ 13.50, 17 wickets @ 28.05
Pitch report
MCG curator Cameron Hodgkins has said that he is hopeful about striking the right balance between bat and ball for the first Test.
Hodgkins predicted that the pitch would not be too batsman-friendly, which has been the nature in matches at the ‘G so far this season.The curator said that he would prefer to prepare a similar wicket to the one from last year’s Test between Australia and South Africa, where the batsmen from both sides scored well, but they also had to combat some reverse swing.
“So far there’s been good pace and carry and the good bowlers are getting wickets. In the last game there was plenty of grass, but the only ingredient missing was there wasn’t much nibble,” The Herald Sun quoted Hodgkins, as saying.
“We’d always like a bit of sideways movement, but it’s hard to get and a fine line between what’s right and what’s too much, so it’s easier to be conservative. If we can get one similar to last year I’d be pretty happy,” he added.
The MCG wickets have played well so far this season, although the bat easily dominated in most of the recent first-class matches. Hodgkins said that there will be tough work for spinners in the opening Test. “Traditionally there’s not any extra turn, although good bowlers take wickets. We’re not known as a turning wicket, it’s more one for the quicks.”
Australia positives
They have almost completed the transition stage and now are almost settled on their new combination, they have won their Odi series in India quite convincingly and have beaten WI 2-0.
Australia negatives
There batting is a bit inconsistent and their bowlers are prone to injuries, they still lack a quality spinner and they might miss the leadership and experience of Ricky Ponting in the first match.
Pakistan Positives
There bowling looks extremely good, and they seem to have settled on their opening pair, after the series in SL and NZ their batsmen have adjusted their game to the test format and are improving with every match they play. The inclusion of Mohammad Aamer and Umar Akmal and the return of Kaneria and Asif has transformed Pakistan team into a fighting unit which can give any team tough time. The rifts within the team have also settled under the leadership of Mohammad Yousaf.
Pakistan Team Negatives
There #3 and #5 positions in the batting order are still vulnerable, Faisal Iqbal and Misbah Ul Haq have not shown any sort of form so far and with Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan also out of form no solution to this problem is in sight. Pakistan are also missing a genuine all rounder like Razzaq and Afridi which can provide them the fifth bowling option. Feilding was Pakistan’s major concern in their series against New Zealand they dropped too many easy catches and if they don’t improve their fielding they don’t stand a chance against the Aussies. Over criticism by fans and ex-players during a series adds too much pressure on the players and they can’t perform freely.
Likely Squads
Mohammad Yousaf, Kamran Akmal, Imran Farhat, Salman Butt, Faisal Iqbal, Shoaib Malik/Misbah Ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Danish Kaneria, Mohamad Aamer, Umar Gul/Abdul Rauf and Mohammad Asif
Micheal Clarke, Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Micheal Hussey, Ponting/Hughes, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger
Good work Wasim.
Ajmal performed well in the warm up so it remains to be seen if we go with two spinners. Not sure what the composition of the team would then be though.
As for the batting, I would go with Misbah in the team. He did fail in the second innings with the bat but did get a decent 43 in the first. My other reason of going with him is that he’s a very good slip catcher. He’s got bucket hands and our recent problems with catching, and Yousuf saying that new slip fielders need time, I think Misbah would be a good choice.
Stani
It is going to be Misbah anyways. To me his form hasn’t been very assuring Malik looks better while batting but then again Misbah can score big innings Malik can’t, Fawad is another option but Pakistan are not going to use either Malik or Fawad as a bowler so it won’t matter.
The performance Sami gave in the finals of QEA he is certainly going to get selected in the first match.
Umar Gul unfortunately will sit out. Although I think that the conditions in Australia suit him the most.
Wasim,
I think that would be a big call, dropping Gul for Sami. I’d be surprised if it happened.
Why Faisal in the side….I’ve never seen him playing well. How the hack he’s gonna face Aussie pace like Johnson n Siddle or Watson…any way….They seem comfortable with their bowling line up. It might help them a bit. but They need to Make a fighting score which seems so delicate.
I really wana see Australia lose the game not bcz of any other reasons bcz they have dominated cricket. it’ll bring some confidence to the other teams around the world.
Good luck
Medie Welcome to cricketfiles.
Since Younis is out of form and nobody else wants to bat at # 3 the position went to Faisal who have been a part of Pakistan’s test team since several years now, There is not much difference between Faisal, Khurram and Fawad since the later two got their chance now Faisal is getting his chance to prove his worth.
Australia is still strong enough to beat any team, but the gap between them and other sides have been reduced they are not invincible now. Pakistan if they have to beat Australia will have to improve their fielding and batting.
Stani
I read it in one of the newspapers the team manager Abdul Raqeeb was saying that Gul is struggling at the moment and the management is contemplating to play Sami.
Mohammad Yousaf in an interview has said “I am sure our experienced batsmen like Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq will strike their best form soon,” Yousuf said. “They just one need one long innings to get back their confidence. I know my boys can handle such pressure. We are looking forward to some close matches in Australia.”
Does it mean that Pakistan is going to play Shoaib Malik instead of Faisal Iqbal?
Instead of playing out of form batsmen who are only good for 20’s and 30’s wouldn’t it be a good idea to go with five bowlers? Especially when the pitch is going to be in favor of the batsmen.
Wasim,
Reports say Kaneria is injured too.
I would rather have Malik instead of Iqbal
Stani
Which report?
The first Test match between Australia and Pakistan will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from the 26th of this month. And after the Aussies won a rather close series against West Indies, it remains to be seen how the hosts perform against a side which has a natural tendency of blowing hot on some days and cold on the others.
Pakistan will be reasonably pleased with their performance in New Zealand, in a series that they tied 1-1. Had it not rained in the last game, the score-line would have probably read 1-2 against them, but given that most of the guys were young and inexperienced in conditions that were totally aliens they would have been very happy with the result.
Wasim,
I saw it on some Indian paper. But it’s being widely reported now as I’m sure you’re aware. I think he will recover though. If we win the toss and bat, that will give him an extra day and half (hopefully!) to recover.
Pakistan will win
and u.akmal to be top run scorer in the series
The pitches in Australia myt not favour bowlers who look for sideways movement but for me the form mo is showing now is great and his consistancy will result in him easily taking 20pluswickets this series as a minimum..it really wouldn’t surprise me if we see australian batsmen struggle with the tricky and canny bowling and I can see asiif being more successful than glen mcgrath.
Aqib
I will not allow this platform to promote betting so I am deleting your comment.
You are free to post your opinion about the game or players.
Aqib your comments are obsene as far as the leading scorer that will be a Australian and the only pakistanii bowlers who have a chance are ameer and ajmal
Series will finish as a draw I feel as the pitches are to good for batting on
Qamar
I don’t think Aqib’s comment was obscene. I only censored the betting part.
It’s a batting track and Pakistani fielders again let their bowlers down by dropping easy catches. You never know who will be the highest scorer it can be Umar Akmal or Mohammad Yousaf or it can be from Australia, but this match won’t end in a draw. Australia are all set for a big total. Kaneria’s absence has hurt Pakistan, Pakistan is playing one bowler short. If Australia managed to take a big lead in first innings Pakistan will be in trouble.
Your prediction is a bit too early but it is interesting.
Don’t worry WAsim wickets will fall shortly inshallah.
Ajmal really should go around the wicket to Watson
Round the wicket to a right handed batsman?
There is not much sideways movement in the wicket it is a perfect batting track there is some bounce but Pakistan doesn’t have an express pacer, I think Gul would have been a better choice on this wicket he is an aggressive bowler and he isn’t afraid to get hit he takes his chances.
Yes round the wicket..I reckon that would b a good mood and get a few men around the bat. Gil would have Been our best bet on this pitch. Even afridi would have been better than RAuf LOL
In Kaneria’s absence Afridi would have been very useful. If he is going to bowl round the wicket he won’t have a chance to get an lbw Watson will score more freely.
If he pitches it on off or middle then y not?
Then he will be going down the leg most of the times with his natural off spin and watson will sweep him without having any fear of getting bold or lbw.
I think Ajmal should bowl a bit slower he is bowling too fast because of which he is not getting any turn.
Anyway I’m going to sleep now so we will discuss tomorrow
Good night
Hopefully tommorrow when you wake up Australia will be four down.
Australia are 177/0 at tea, Pakistan dropped two catches and missed two run out chances in the field.
Pakistan’s bowling looks flat without any venom. as I said before Australia by taking out sideways movement will make Pakistan’s bowling attack tooth less. I was disappointed that none of the pacers tried to make use of the bounce in the pitch. Replacing Gul with Rauf was a mistake Pakistan should have played Sami or Gul on this pitch, Rauf might control some runs but he hasn’t caused any problems for the batsmen so far.
First wicket has fallen Watson is run out on 93. Pakistan finally got the break through they should play agressively in the last two sessions and should try to come back in the match.
Katich is gone, never seen an Aussie batsman so nervous in 90’s. Asif set him up beautifully, the fuckin commentators have nothing to say about that.
Abdul Rauf is clueless, he has no line no length and no pace, even a half fit Gul or Sami would have been better than him. Again a loop hole was created, I’m sure the team management must have seen his pace and variety in the nets then why the fuck he was given precedence over Sami or Gul is mind boggling.
Bowling was Pakistan’s main weapon but strangely kaneria got injured and Gul was dropped . What a shame.
Hey I have a good feeling about today wasim and I feel we will have them for 450 even tho the pitch is so flat lol
The run out was so bloody out LOL
At last hussey goes LOL. inshallah they will topple now..
Qamar
We have moved to the next post.