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The build-up to the first Test of the summer started with a handful of former cricketers, Mitchell Johnson more strongly than others, questioning the place of David Warner in the side, not to forget his quest for a farewell at the SCG. The aftermath of which got a bit ugly with everyone having their say, some more pertinent than others. It's a narrative and a debate that will regardless carry on for at least the next few weeks.
And it ended with Usman Khawaja raising some very important questions about our society in general. The aftermath of which was also rather ugly with everyone having their say, some more pertinent than others. It's a narrative and a debate that should carry on, and not just for the next few weeks. Thanks to Khawaja it will.
In the midst of it all, Australia and Pakistan trained and prepped for the first of three Tests at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne batted for long hours as they do. Nathan Lyon re-joined his Test teammates after having parted ways halfway through the Ashes series a few months ago. All while Pat Cummins and the rest of his World Cup and World Test Championship heroes returned home and somehow found the energy and verve to kickstart their next campaign.
Pakistan, meanwhile, went through their routines having arrived in Australia on the back of significant turmoil behind the scenes following their disappointing World Cup campaign. New captain, new director, new coach, new selectors, former tainted captains returning to the fold for 24 hours before being gotten rid of again, and an overall sense of diving into the unknown, under the leadership of Shan Masood. All that chaos around Pakistani cricket, what some who hail from there will say is nothing more than run-of-the-mill, has largely been overshadowed, if not pushed to the backburner, ever since Johnson wrote his now well-publicised comment piece. And if anything, even that feeds into the rather evident sense of apathy towards the upcoming Test summer. Mainly in terms of the supposed quality, or lack thereof, of the two visiting teams.
Not much is expected of the West Indies when they return for their second Test tour in two summers come January. It's unfortunately a sentiment that also seems to accompany this new-look Pakistani outfit, even if they have talked up a new approach to the way they play Test cricket, led by Masood. And even if they have a number of players who are here without the baggage of having been beaten soundly by a very similar-looking Australian team four years ago. The fact that no Pakistani team has won a Test on Australian soil since 1995 doesn't help either.
When: December 14, 2023, 7:20 AM PST
Where: Optus Stadium, Perth
Teams
==
All posters please take note of the following guidelines for match threads on PakPassion:
1. No personal insults at other posters, players, officials, coaching staffs etc.
2. No making fun of player's, official's, coaching staff's names.
3. Do not add any references to media, their social media or post any pictures or screenshots from other sports websites.
4. Stick to commenting on this match. There is no need to bring other countries into the match discussion as there are plenty of other threads where those discussions can be added.
And it ended with Usman Khawaja raising some very important questions about our society in general. The aftermath of which was also rather ugly with everyone having their say, some more pertinent than others. It's a narrative and a debate that should carry on, and not just for the next few weeks. Thanks to Khawaja it will.
In the midst of it all, Australia and Pakistan trained and prepped for the first of three Tests at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne batted for long hours as they do. Nathan Lyon re-joined his Test teammates after having parted ways halfway through the Ashes series a few months ago. All while Pat Cummins and the rest of his World Cup and World Test Championship heroes returned home and somehow found the energy and verve to kickstart their next campaign.
Pakistan, meanwhile, went through their routines having arrived in Australia on the back of significant turmoil behind the scenes following their disappointing World Cup campaign. New captain, new director, new coach, new selectors, former tainted captains returning to the fold for 24 hours before being gotten rid of again, and an overall sense of diving into the unknown, under the leadership of Shan Masood. All that chaos around Pakistani cricket, what some who hail from there will say is nothing more than run-of-the-mill, has largely been overshadowed, if not pushed to the backburner, ever since Johnson wrote his now well-publicised comment piece. And if anything, even that feeds into the rather evident sense of apathy towards the upcoming Test summer. Mainly in terms of the supposed quality, or lack thereof, of the two visiting teams.
Not much is expected of the West Indies when they return for their second Test tour in two summers come January. It's unfortunately a sentiment that also seems to accompany this new-look Pakistani outfit, even if they have talked up a new approach to the way they play Test cricket, led by Masood. And even if they have a number of players who are here without the baggage of having been beaten soundly by a very similar-looking Australian team four years ago. The fact that no Pakistani team has won a Test on Australian soil since 1995 doesn't help either.
When: December 14, 2023, 7:20 AM PST
Where: Optus Stadium, Perth
Teams
==
All posters please take note of the following guidelines for match threads on PakPassion:
1. No personal insults at other posters, players, officials, coaching staffs etc.
2. No making fun of player's, official's, coaching staff's names.
3. Do not add any references to media, their social media or post any pictures or screenshots from other sports websites.
4. Stick to commenting on this match. There is no need to bring other countries into the match discussion as there are plenty of other threads where those discussions can be added.
