Published: Dec 25, 2016, 09:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 25, 2016, 10:36 AM (IST)
Revitalised with two consecutive wins in day-night Tests, Australia will return to the traditional red-ball cricket, hoping to extend their winning run and seal the three-match series against Pakistan at Melbourne. Having addressed their slump with two impressive Test victories, Australia will, however, be wary of the surprising but irregular package that Pakistan are. In the opening Test, the hosts laboured a 39-run win despite setting an unattainable target of 490, thanks to Pakistan’s inspirational fight-back after a horrendous first-innings show, wherein they were shot out for 142. Australia are currently 1-0 ahead of Pakistan, but it will be daft to rest on their laurels, as it will only get tougher from here on.
Australia exploited an unpredictable Pakistan adequately for three out of four innings at Brisbane, but the touring party came up with once-in-a-generation performance to get agonisingly close to a shocking victory. However, at the end, Australians held their nerves better than Pakistan did, snaffling last two wickets on the final day and prevented a stubborn opposition from denting their reputation any further. The Australians bowled their hearts out, and their batsmen, too, looked in great form to ensure a hard-fought victory, which will only help them get better.
Pakistan’s performance at Brisbane showcased why it would be daft to write them off, and how perilous it will be to undermine their firepower. Despite coming off from embarrassing collapses in their last two Tests, Pakistan staged a remarkable comeback to get close to their first Test win in Australia since 1994-95. But, perhaps, the mistakes in the first innings were of far greater impact, which negated their brilliant effort made in the later stage of the day-night Test.
FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs Pakistan 2nd Test at Melbourne
Pakistan had a lot to take away from the first Test. Younis Khan and Azhar Ali bounced back after poor outings in the first innings, and Asad Shafiq showed his class with grittiest of centuries seen in Test chases in recent times. Shafiq held the innings together, but every Pakistani should be credited for learning from their first-innings’ mistakes and applying themselves better. Their fight-back has prompted experts to say that momentum is with Pakistan. But then, it will again be not surprising to see them skidding right after this.
The biggest worry for Pakistan will be the failure to create any impact with the ball whatsoever at Brisbane, where there was ample amount of bounce and assistance for pacers at The Gabba. Pakistan witnessed the 10th wicket partnership between Nathan Lyon and Jackson Bird adding 49 runs, which probably made all the difference in the match despite first-innings centuries from Steven Smith and Peter Handscomb.
Mohammed Aamer suffered a nasty injury to his knee when his knee got stuck into the ground while fielding. Aamer did hobble off the field for some time, but he returned to bowl an impressive spell. Wahab Riaz worked up a lot of pace and took 5 wickets at The Gabba, but could not prevent Australia from running away with the match. Aamer also claimed 5 wickets, but Rahat Ali’s 2 scalps did not help Pakistan’s cause. Yasir Shah bowled 43.1 overs in the first innings and 10 in the second, but could manage only 3 wickets.
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On the other hand, Australia have drafted in batting all-rounder Hilton Cartwright, who can also chipped in with medium pace. Australia are not likely to tinker with their playing XI much, as they are expected to announced their side only on the match day, after having studied the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s wicket to their satisfaction. Cartwright averages 44.50 in First-Class cricket for Western Australia. If he is included, the 24-year-old will replace the struggling Nic Maddinson.
The lack of runs from Maddinson and Matthew Wade will keep these recent recruits on toes, since Australia will be mercilessly chopping off those who fail to deliver on ample opportunities. Both Maddinson and Wade came into the Test side with the makeover post the Hobart debacle. If compared, Wade’s performances as wicketkeeper have been up to the mark, and if he gets a few runs, his position will be safer from what it is now.
“Melbourne is the sort of wicket where you can’t go blasting off from ball one. You have to take your time and get used to the conditions,” warned MCG curator David Sandurski. “It’s one of those wickets that, once you get in, you should be right. You’re going to have to fight hard early; the ball might do a bit early. But once you get through that first session, especially with the new ball, you should be right,” he told Cricket Australia’s (CA) official website.
It will be interesting to see how Pakistan approach this Test, after their exploits in the second innings at Brisbane. If they bat first, it is needless to say they will need the present at-par score of 350 on board to put Australia under any sort of pressure. But keeping in mind the current form of several Australian batsmen such as Matt Renshaw (71 and 6 at Brisbane), Handscomb (105), Smith (130 and 63) and Khawaja (4 and 74), Pakistani bowlers surely have their tasks cut out for them.
A win here will seal a much needed series victory for Australia, and it will oversee further preparations to their upcoming tour of India and the Ashes next year. The mention of Ashes — less than a year from now — is pertinent since this is the last series for Australia at home before they take on England.
Squads:
Australia: Steven Smith (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw, Hilton Cartwright, Matthew Wade (wk), Jackson Bird, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.
Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Imran Khan, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Rahat Ali, Sami Aslam, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Sharjeel Khan, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan.
Time: 10.30 local | 5.00 IST
