Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,825
AUSTRALIA and Pakistan’s moves to sleep with the enemy could hold the key to breaking open a rain-sodden Boxing Day Test.
The wizardly skills of leg-spinner Yasir Shah shapes as Pakistan’s best hope of keeping the series alive in Melbourne, and he has turned to the best of all time Shane Warne in a desperate bid to find the edge.
On the other side of the fence, spearhead Mitchell Starc’s close relationship with the world’s pre-eminent reverse-swing master Wasim Akram may put Australia in the box seat to ram home the ascendancy they hold after day one, with Pakistan lagging at 4-142.
Described by 400-wicket Test great Akram as the No.1 bowler in world cricket, Starc tried to get the ball to reverse on Monday but despite failing to take a wicket, his best may still be to come as a shortened first day gave his overworked body another chance to freshen up.
Jackson Bird ended up leading the way for Australia, knocking over Pakistan’s ageing greats Younis Khan and Misbah ul-Haq with two brilliant deliveries.
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur declared on Monday night Shah can win his side the Test on an MCG wicket that’s done plenty for the spinners this summer, provided his batting line-up can lift the side to a total in excess of 280.
It’s been revealed that the game’s most exciting modern-day spinner Shah has been in regular contact with Warne all week – and despite Cricket Australia’s best attempts to lure their all-time great back for themselves, his words of wisdom about the MCG and leg-spin bowling could be about to haunt them.
“He asked me this morning about the MCG. I had a chat to him about pace and how you should bowl here,” Warne said on Nine.
“He’s got better (since Brisbane) and learnt some things. He’ll enjoy bowling here.”
Victorian spinner Jon Holland has done some serious damage at the MCG this Sheffield Shield season and Arthur believes Shah could be devastating in the fourth innings if Pakistan can keep their heads above water on day two.
“He’d have a great impact. If we’ve got runs behind us Yasir Shah will come into his own,” said Arthur.
“He’s trained the house down this week, he’s bowled beautifully, I’m comfortable that he’ll trouble any opposition on the fourth day provided we’ve got enough runs in the tank.”
After play was abandoned following just 50.5 overs of action, Starc had tidy figures of 0-25 off 11, starting the day off with an unusually short three over burst.
Starc’s emergence as one of the most devastating weapons in world cricket can be traced back to his work with Akram – the benchmark for left-arm pace bowling.
The Australian star has credited Akram for helping him make the ball sing on unresponsive pitches, a skill which could prove enormous in India come February.
But with mentor Akram watching from the stands yesterday and again today, Starc can prove he is a chip off the old block if he can get the ball to go the other way and bust through the Pakistan middle-order.
Akram – taught Starc to use his wrist more and “snap” the ball when he runs in to bowl in order to get more swing – and said yesterday Starc is unparalleled in the modern game.
“He’s my favourite bowler in world cricket right now Mitchell Starc,” said Akram.
“I’ve worked with him before in Melbourne and in Sydney … he (is so dangerous because) bowls pace and swing. He’s got both.
“He has a high arm action and he uses his crease beautifully. And he’s smart.”
Pakistan coach Arthur defended his side’s slow scoring rate, arguing that if Babar Azam hadn’t fallen on the last ball before lunch – the visitors would have been in a strong position.
However, despite the fact Gabba hero Asad Shafiq is now at the crease with opener Azhar Ali (66 not out) Pakistan have failed to advance the game forward with a run-rate of just 2.79 an over.
“I thought at 1-60 we were in a really good position,” he said.
“We knew batting first at the MCG you always have to give the first two hour away to the bowling team. So we set up for that. If we can get ourselves up to 280-300 we’ll be very happy.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/c...k=e9824ae6b7c988f0b6d5d7fc9bfd515c-1482774686
The wizardly skills of leg-spinner Yasir Shah shapes as Pakistan’s best hope of keeping the series alive in Melbourne, and he has turned to the best of all time Shane Warne in a desperate bid to find the edge.
On the other side of the fence, spearhead Mitchell Starc’s close relationship with the world’s pre-eminent reverse-swing master Wasim Akram may put Australia in the box seat to ram home the ascendancy they hold after day one, with Pakistan lagging at 4-142.
Described by 400-wicket Test great Akram as the No.1 bowler in world cricket, Starc tried to get the ball to reverse on Monday but despite failing to take a wicket, his best may still be to come as a shortened first day gave his overworked body another chance to freshen up.
Jackson Bird ended up leading the way for Australia, knocking over Pakistan’s ageing greats Younis Khan and Misbah ul-Haq with two brilliant deliveries.
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur declared on Monday night Shah can win his side the Test on an MCG wicket that’s done plenty for the spinners this summer, provided his batting line-up can lift the side to a total in excess of 280.
It’s been revealed that the game’s most exciting modern-day spinner Shah has been in regular contact with Warne all week – and despite Cricket Australia’s best attempts to lure their all-time great back for themselves, his words of wisdom about the MCG and leg-spin bowling could be about to haunt them.
“He asked me this morning about the MCG. I had a chat to him about pace and how you should bowl here,” Warne said on Nine.
“He’s got better (since Brisbane) and learnt some things. He’ll enjoy bowling here.”
Victorian spinner Jon Holland has done some serious damage at the MCG this Sheffield Shield season and Arthur believes Shah could be devastating in the fourth innings if Pakistan can keep their heads above water on day two.
“He’d have a great impact. If we’ve got runs behind us Yasir Shah will come into his own,” said Arthur.
“He’s trained the house down this week, he’s bowled beautifully, I’m comfortable that he’ll trouble any opposition on the fourth day provided we’ve got enough runs in the tank.”
After play was abandoned following just 50.5 overs of action, Starc had tidy figures of 0-25 off 11, starting the day off with an unusually short three over burst.
Starc’s emergence as one of the most devastating weapons in world cricket can be traced back to his work with Akram – the benchmark for left-arm pace bowling.
The Australian star has credited Akram for helping him make the ball sing on unresponsive pitches, a skill which could prove enormous in India come February.
But with mentor Akram watching from the stands yesterday and again today, Starc can prove he is a chip off the old block if he can get the ball to go the other way and bust through the Pakistan middle-order.
Akram – taught Starc to use his wrist more and “snap” the ball when he runs in to bowl in order to get more swing – and said yesterday Starc is unparalleled in the modern game.
“He’s my favourite bowler in world cricket right now Mitchell Starc,” said Akram.
“I’ve worked with him before in Melbourne and in Sydney … he (is so dangerous because) bowls pace and swing. He’s got both.
“He has a high arm action and he uses his crease beautifully. And he’s smart.”
Pakistan coach Arthur defended his side’s slow scoring rate, arguing that if Babar Azam hadn’t fallen on the last ball before lunch – the visitors would have been in a strong position.
However, despite the fact Gabba hero Asad Shafiq is now at the crease with opener Azhar Ali (66 not out) Pakistan have failed to advance the game forward with a run-rate of just 2.79 an over.
“I thought at 1-60 we were in a really good position,” he said.
“We knew batting first at the MCG you always have to give the first two hour away to the bowling team. So we set up for that. If we can get ourselves up to 280-300 we’ll be very happy.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/c...k=e9824ae6b7c988f0b6d5d7fc9bfd515c-1482774686
Literally what he told him ! 
