"Pakistan have obviously got some impressive young guys" : Adam Zampa

[Abdullah719]

Preparing to confront an inexperienced Pakistan outfit coached by Mickey Arthur, Australia have done their homework.

There was a sense of familiarity when Justin Langer's team landed in India last month, preparing to square off against a side that had recently spent two months in Australia.

The same can't be said of the five-match ODI series that starts in Sharjah on Friday.

Captain Sarfraz Ahmed headlines a list of six stars who Pakistan have rested from the entire series, with Arthur keen to ensure his key players are ripe for the World Cup.

Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Abbas, Abid Ali, Saad Ali, Shan Masood are in line to make their ODI debuts this month.

Australia's 15-man squad studied footage of their opposition on Tuesday prior to hitting the nets.

Legspinner Adam Zampa, fresh from the most prolific series of his career in which he regularly got the better of Virat Kohli, predicted another tough challenge for him and his team.

"They've obviously got some impressive young guys," Zampa said.

"They've rested a few players but going through their team today in our team meeting, they've got some really strong guys.

"They've got a really strong competition in the PSL (Pakistan Super League) as well, so they're coming off that and some guys in the team are in form.

"We've come off three wins in a row with our backs to the wall, so our confidence is high but we've spoken about not taking Pakistan lightly."

Zampa, one of few locks in Australia's 15-man World Cup squad, expects Pakistan will adopt a more aggressive mindset than India when he is bowling.

"The Indians are really good at milking, they like to go at five or six an over through the middle without taking too many risks," the tweaker said.

"Whereas the Pakistani guys go quite hard ... they'll choose a period during the game when they'll take me on, so that's something I'm up for.

"I'll just do my preparation, watch a lot of footage and go from there."

Uncapped paceman Hasnain is the most inexperienced of Pakistan's new faces, having made his PSL debut this year and earned immense praise from Shane Watson.

"I have never seen an 18-year old bowl at such pace," Watson said.

https://wwos.nine.com.au/cricket/au...an/b3769cc4-5185-4bba-aaed-2b408dc8a785#close

 

[Abdullah719]

Video drills Australia’s stars

Australia have been forced to dig deep into their video database to prepare for their "revenge" over a depleted Pakistan squad, which will feature several untried prospects in the five-match ODI series starting on Thursday.

Australia and India, already well-known to each other due to bonds developed in the Indian Premier League, became overwhelmingly familiar this summer after they contested five separate series across all formats in less than four months.

On the other hand, Pakistan present a more unpredictable foe for Aaron Finch's men despite a handful of recent meetings, in what shapes as the visitors' final competitive dress-rehearsal ahead of this year's World Cup.

Captained by 37-year-old journeyman Shoaib Malik, Australia's 'hosts' in the United Arab Emirates have named a 16-man squad missing six first-choice players, including regular skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, and featuring four uncapped players.

"There’s a lot of new faces, definitely," said batsman Shaun Marsh. "What I do know is they’re a very good side, a very good one-day side in their home conditions. We know we’re going to have to bring our A game like we did against India to beat them."

It's hard to keep any secrets in international cricket these days and Australia have already studied vision of uncapped teenage paceman Mohammad Hasnain, who Shane Watson this week said was the quickest 18-year-old he'd ever seen after the pair helped Quetta Gladiators take out the Pakistan Super League title.

"They've rested a few players but going through their team today in our team meeting, they've got some really strong guys,” said leg-spinner Adam Zampa. “Batting and bowling - they're really good.

"We've come off three wins in a row with our backs to the wall, so our confidence is high. But we've spoken about not taking Pakistan lightly. They're one of the best teams in the world in terms of white-ball cricket at the moment.”

Pakistan defeated Australia in the final of a T20 tri-series in Zimbabwe last year and followed that up with victories in Test and T20I campaigns against them in the UAE, the latter a 3-0 whitewash in October.

Pakistan's 50-over form has been less reliable in recent years; since their shock Champions Trophy triumph in 2017, they've won just one of four bilateral ODI series against major nations.

Australia have also won nine of their past 10 ODIs against Pakistan, but the latter's superiority in the shorter white-ball format is fresh in Zampa's mind.

"We've spoken about the 3-0 defeat to them earlier in the season … they towelled us up," he said.

"So we've got to learn from that experience … (and get) a bit of revenge hopefully."

Zampa is also expecting a far different challenge in this series compared to the one posed by India, forecasting Pakistan will adopt a more sporadically aggressive approach to his bowling.

“The Indians are really good at milking (runs), they like to go at five and six an over through the middle without taking too many risks, whereas the Pakistani guys go quite hard,” Zampa said.

“It might not be the whole time, but they'll choose a period during the game when they'll take me on.

"So that's something I'm up for.

"I'll just do my preparation, watch a lot of footage and go from there.”

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/aus...ideo-mohammad-hasnain-shane-watson/2019-03-20

 

[Hasan123]

Adam Zampa is improving as a LO bowler. He has caused Kohli a lot of problems and has good variations. Australia should back him for the WC, at 26 he can play another 2 WCs after this as well.

He is one to watch out for in this series. We have been exposed by inferior spinners and other leg spinners before. We need to watch out for him.

 

[Pete Rose]

Adam Zampa looks like he is gonna be in the test team soon.

 

[Usman Chadda]

He got taken to the cleaners in the T20 series in October. The longer format might suit him though.

 

[Convict]

Adam Zampa looks like he is gonna be in the test team soon.

not a chance

 

[Adijazz1706]

Adam Zampa is improving as a LO bowler. He has caused Kohli a lot of problems and has good variations. Australia should back him for the WC, at 26 he can play another 2 WCs after this as well.

He is one to watch out for in this series. We have been exposed by inferior spinners and other leg spinners before. We need to watch out for him.

He's 26! I thought he was 16 )

 

[MenInG]

Ahead of Australia's five-match one-day international series against Pakistan, and with the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 on the horizon, leg-spinner Adam Zampa believes he has made a place for himself in the ODI team.

Zampa was the second-highest wicket-taker, after Pat Cummins, in Australia's 3-2 ODI series win over India in February. With 11 wickets in five games, he emerged as the best spinner on the tour. It marked a strong comeback after being left out of the first two ODIs when India visited, and puts him in strong contention for a World Cup spot.

"It’s nice to make an impact, particularly in the middle overs. [I am] trying to figure out my role in ODI cricket. After that [India] series, I feel pretty confident about my role in the team," he told reporters on Wednesday, 20 March.

Zampa made his international debut in 2016 and has over 50 ODI wickets. But if there is anything the last three years have taught him, it is to not take anything for granted.

"Throughout my short career, I have found that it can change really quickly. I started my career really well, but I have had some ups and downs. I am trying to build on the momentum I have. It will be pretty great, but, honestly, I know what’s it like to be in and out of the team and to be dropped from the squad altogether."

The five ODIs against Pakistan, starting from 22 March in UAE, give him another chance to prove himself. The team, he said, was high on confidence, following the come-from-behind win against India, but won't be taking Pakistan lightly.

"Our confidence is high, but we have spoken about not taking Pakistan easy. They are one of the best teams in the world in white-ball cricket at the moment," he said. "It’s important to us in our preparations for the World Cup. But it’s also important to keep that momentum going. It’s going to be a good series."

Australia had succumbed to a 3-0 loss in T20Is against Pakistan in October last year, but Zampa is certain that the tourists will be able to turn things around this time.

"We had three T20 games against them and they tied us up a little bit. We got to learn from that experience. It’s a bit of a revenge, hopefully," he said. "I haven’t played against Pakistan much. But they have got really strong competition in the PSL now was well. It is going to be a tough challenge."

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1110093

 

[Abdullah]

This is a major series to see where we stand. Aus have a new found confidence and we are short of our top brass.
This could get really interesting/messy.
3-2 either way I reckon

 

[MenInG]

Amazing what few months have done to Australian confidence. Pakistan will find the going not that easy.

 

[Titan24]

This is a major series to see where we stand. Aus have a new found confidence and we are short of our top brass.
This could get really interesting/messy.
3-2 either way I reckon

It would be more like where our bench strength stands, we are without 6 of our regular players.

 

[Pete Rose]

not a chance

Oh? Every time I have seen him play he looks supremely confident. As if he looks forward to batsmen coming at him. Seemed to have decent flight and spin as well.

 

[TeymurBlake]

This will be a tough tour, we have selected players based on to see how our depth is.

 

[MenInG]

Glenn Maxwell is under a cloud for Friday's series opener against Pakistan, but Australia could again unveil dual spin threats after being greeted by a pair of dry-looking surfaces at Sharjah for their first two one-dayers.

Maxwell missed training two days out from the first ODI after the allrounder was struck down by illness.

The ground that proudly trumpets its 'Guinness World Record' for hosting the most ODIs in the format's history is expected to take considerable turn.

Test tweaker Nathan Lyon is a strong chance to retain his spot after playing a key containing role in the three matches he featured in alongside leg-spinner Adam Zampa in their recent 50-over triumph in India, including the series decider.

"Spin will be important for both sides. We've got two spinners, I'd be surprised if they don't both play out here," said paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile. "They've got quality spinners as well. It will be a good battle."

Lyon has also been ill, sitting out training on Tuesday as he got over a stomach bug, but he returned to participate in Wednesday's session.

Pat Cummins was also back in action after being rested from the previous day's blowout, as Australia stepped up preparations for the five-game series against Pakistan, which also features matches in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

While skipper Aaron Finch said the tourists will wait to make a judgement on whether conditions necessitate the inclusion of both Lyon and Zampa skipper, he says history indicates slow bowlers will play a key role at Sharjah.

"The stats from here all suggest that spin takes a bigger impact. I'll expect them to spin," said Finch.

"We even saw yesterday the training wickets looked how we expect the middle to play. You're never quite sure though, once there's a bit of traffic on it they start to slow up pretty quick and spin a bit.

"I think that will be a feature, especially the two games in Sharjah."

Sharjah most recently hosted an entire seven-game limited-overs series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe last month, with spin bowlers finishing as four of the five leading wicket takers.

One welcome factor for the visitors is the sweltering heat that met the Aussies on their most recent visit to the United Arab Emirates late last year has given way to a comparatively chilly desert 'winter' breeze.

Australia got accustomed to the only venue that has hosted more than 200 international 50-over clashes – 80 more than the SCG, the next most 'prolific' ODI ground, a bit of trivia that's prominently displayed on no less than three separate billboards around the 16,000-capacity ground.

The Aussies trained extensively on a centre-wicket pitch prepared for them on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Coulter-Nile, who missed the final three ODIs in India to fly home to Perth for the birth of his second child, tipped the first two games in Sharjah to be low-scoring tussles.

"I'm not surprised at all (at the pitches), I've played here (in the UAE) before and it looks very similar," said Coulter-Nile.

"The wicket we trained on yesterday looks exactly the same as the match wicket. Low and slow, the new ball will be important, it will just get harder to bat as we go. I wouldn't expect real high-scoring games."

Qantas Tour of the UAE

First ODI: v Pakistan, March 22 in Sharjah

Second ODI: v Pakistan, March 24 in Sharjah

Third ODI: v Pakistan, March 27 in Abu Dhabi

Fourth ODI: v Pakistan, March 29 in Dubai

Fifth ODI: v Pakistan, March 31 in Dubai

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/gle...istan-first-odi-sharjah-spin-pitch/2019-03-20

 

[Abdullah]

It would be more like where our bench strength stands, we are without 6 of our regular players.

Fakhar Babar and Hasan offset by starc Warner and Smith.
Sarfaraz is not a big miss unfortunately.

It is a test of where stand against a confident opposition

 

[Abdullah]

Glenn Maxwell is under a cloud for Friday's series opener against Pakistan, but Australia could again unveil dual spin threats after being greeted by a pair of dry-looking surfaces at Sharjah for their first two one-dayers.

Maxwell missed training two days out from the first ODI after the allrounder was struck down by illness.

The ground that proudly trumpets its 'Guinness World Record' for hosting the most ODIs in the format's history is expected to take considerable turn.

Test tweaker Nathan Lyon is a strong chance to retain his spot after playing a key containing role in the three matches he featured in alongside leg-spinner Adam Zampa in their recent 50-over triumph in India, including the series decider.

"Spin will be important for both sides. We've got two spinners, I'd be surprised if they don't both play out here," said paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile. "They've got quality spinners as well. It will be a good battle."

Lyon has also been ill, sitting out training on Tuesday as he got over a stomach bug, but he returned to participate in Wednesday's session.

Pat Cummins was also back in action after being rested from the previous day's blowout, as Australia stepped up preparations for the five-game series against Pakistan, which also features matches in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

While skipper Aaron Finch said the tourists will wait to make a judgement on whether conditions necessitate the inclusion of both Lyon and Zampa skipper, he says history indicates slow bowlers will play a key role at Sharjah.

"The stats from here all suggest that spin takes a bigger impact. I'll expect them to spin," said Finch.

"We even saw yesterday the training wickets looked how we expect the middle to play. You're never quite sure though, once there's a bit of traffic on it they start to slow up pretty quick and spin a bit.

"I think that will be a feature, especially the two games in Sharjah."

Sharjah most recently hosted an entire seven-game limited-overs series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe last month, with spin bowlers finishing as four of the five leading wicket takers.

One welcome factor for the visitors is the sweltering heat that met the Aussies on their most recent visit to the United Arab Emirates late last year has given way to a comparatively chilly desert 'winter' breeze.

Australia got accustomed to the only venue that has hosted more than 200 international 50-over clashes – 80 more than the SCG, the next most 'prolific' ODI ground, a bit of trivia that's prominently displayed on no less than three separate billboards around the 16,000-capacity ground.

The Aussies trained extensively on a centre-wicket pitch prepared for them on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Coulter-Nile, who missed the final three ODIs in India to fly home to Perth for the birth of his second child, tipped the first two games in Sharjah to be low-scoring tussles.

"I'm not surprised at all (at the pitches), I've played here (in the UAE) before and it looks very similar," said Coulter-Nile.

"The wicket we trained on yesterday looks exactly the same as the match wicket. Low and slow, the new ball will be important, it will just get harder to bat as we go. I wouldn't expect real high-scoring games."

Qantas Tour of the UAE

First ODI: v Pakistan, March 22 in Sharjah

Second ODI: v Pakistan, March 24 in Sharjah

Third ODI: v Pakistan, March 27 in Abu Dhabi

Fourth ODI: v Pakistan, March 29 in Dubai

Fifth ODI: v Pakistan, March 31 in Dubai

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/gle...istan-first-odi-sharjah-spin-pitch/2019-03-20

Who are our spinners??!!

 

[Abdullah719]

Who are our spinners??!!

Imad and Yasir

 

[Abdullah719]

Australia looking to make winning a habit: Coulter-Nile

The jury may be still out on Australia's title defence of the World Cup but the Aussies are setting themselves up nicely heading into the showpiece in just over two months time.

The Australians turned out to be unlikely heroes, picking themselves up from the abyss of being 2-nil down to win the series against India 3-2.

It was their first series win in two years, the last being against Pakistan at home and also their first series victory in India since 2009. They may just be peaking at the right time, so to speak, but Aussie pace ace Nathan Coulter-Nile tempered down the expectations. He did add though that if they can turn winning into a habit, it would serve them well at the World Cup.

"I don't know about peaking," Coulter-Nile said to a question from the Khaleej Times on Wednesday.

"I mean we won one series for however long but it is always good to get the win. Like I said, winning becomes a habit and so does losing. So, if we can keep winning, keep performing well, we are in good shape," he added.

The Australians had an intense training session at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, ahead of the five-match ODI series against Pakistan.

With just little time left for the World Cup, quite obviously, the talk has revolved around the tournament. And although the players will be jousting to be on the plane to England and Wales, Coulter-Nile said that the bigger picture of winning won't be lost on them.

"World Cup is always going to be spoken about. It is around the corner and people are vying for selection at the moment but we are just focussed on winning this series like we focussed on winning the last series. If we just keep winning series, hopefully we can go to the World Cup with some form," he said.

"It is the World Cup and you are driven to play every World Cup and not just play it but win it. These boys are going really well and we want to keep winning and if we can win a World Cup, that sets us up beautifully for leading into the next T20 World Cup and the next summer," added the 31-year-old, who just became a father to a second child with wife Shani Play.

Coulter-Nile made no bits about Pakistan being challenging in these conditions but said that they would take lessons from the series against India.

"Pakistan are a challenge in these conditions. They love playing in these conditions, they are a really good side. Again, like I said, spin is going to be important and they have got absolutely world class spinners. So, it is a great challenge for us and we can keep getting better playing in these conditions," he felt.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/cricket/australia-looking-to-make-winning-a-habit-coulter-nile

 

[Markhor]

Preparing to confront an inexperienced Pakistan outfit coached by Mickey Arthur, Australia have done their homework.

They always have to sneak that in don't they

 

[leatherface58]

Zampstagram is low-key one of the funniest guys in the Australian team. From his naughty behavior when posing for a team photo to his hilarious uploads on Instagram, this guy must be great for team morale.

 

[MenInG]

Australia fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile knows of one sure way to get himself in the squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 – taking wickets.

Coulter-Nile will have a chance to do that when the first of five one-day internationals begins in Sharjah on Friday, 22 March.

There is intense competition for the fast-bowling spots in the Australia squad – Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, along with Coulter-Nile, Jhye Richardson, Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson and Jason Behrendorff are all vying for them.

Coulter-Nile, however, isn’t too fussed about it. “The World Cup is always going to be spoken about. It’s around the corner, people are vying for selection," he said on Wednesday.

“Practically, to get picked, you have to perform. So that's the easy way to do - go out and perform. You don't need to worry about if you're getting picked or not if you're taking wickets. It's only when you're not taking wickets or you're not making runs that you worry about it."

You don't need to worry about if you're getting picked or not if you're taking wickets.
Nathan Coulter-Nile, Australia pacer

The 31-year-old also stressed that there was no rivalry between the fast bowlers and that the team came first. "Everyone's performing, that's why we're winning. But even when someone has a bad day, they're really supportive of other blokes who have had a good day," he said.

"It's fantastic to see. I don't think it's a conscious effort that anyone makes. Just think its good mates supporting each other. I don't think anybody goes out there thinking, ‘I'm not going to worry about selection’. It's just the way everyone is, they're all just good people."

Coulter-Nile has had an intense few weeks. He’s impressed since returning to the Australian set-up for the trip to India. Before the tour, he had voiced frustration at “mixed messages” from the selectors. He also had a sudden bout of vertigo during the BBL and needed to be hospitalised.

Coulter-Nile is still trying to find the cause for that. "I haven't had a chance (to do that) – I saw a vestibular physio and an ear-nose-and-throat specialist, but they didn't really give me much," he said.

"I'll get through this series, go home and … I want to know the cause of why it happened. Because if I can stop it, I will. But it's happened twice in eight years, so it's not like it is a continuing issue for me.”

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1110628

 

[sindhiboy]

Fakhar Babar and Hasan offset by starc Warner and Smith.
Sarfaraz is not a big miss unfortunately.

It is a test of where stand against a confident opposition

I hope people will eventually realize that the current australian odi team is probably their best in 3 years. australia was losing every odi series when smith and warner were playing in the team. both of them average around 25 in their last 6 games. khawaja and handscomb have out performed them by quite a large margin. even the new bowlers have done way better then starc and hazlewood.

Maybe warner can replace finch. but don't see the rest coming back

 

[Abdullah719]

I hope people will eventually realize that the current australian odi team is probably their best in 3 years. australia was losing every odi series when smith and warner were playing in the team. both of them average around 25 in their last 6 games. khawaja and handscomb have out performed them by quite a large margin. even the new bowlers have done way better then starc and hazlewood.

Maybe warner can replace finch. but don't see the rest coming back

Smith might not be the greatest ODI player but Warner is easily one of the best openers in the World. You picked out last 6 games and it's true Warner had some low scores, but before that he had a bunch of hundreds. Since 2015 he has 12 hundreds in 55 ODIs with an average of 55 and SR of 106. Those are stunning numbers.