Pakistan's prospects in Australia might be improving

[Junaids]

You did not misread the title.

I think that Pakistan's chances in Australia have improved in recent days, not got worse.

Pretty much everything I warned about in New Zealand and Australia has happened. Younis and Misbah looked horrible with the bat, there was inadequate preparation and Sohail Khan averaged 38 with the ball in favourable conditions.

The final day at Hamilton saw Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali join Babar Azam in good touch. But the sudden collapse and 2-0 defeat has swept away the complacency and hubris and arrogance which saw Inzamam sleepwalk to disaster the day before by announcing an unchanged team for Australia.

This can only be good. Finally everyone is having to face up to the fact that Younis Khan can't be selected in the starting eleven unless he shows signs of being able to cope in Australia. And there is once more the prospect of reinforcements if someone imposes themselves upon the final stages of the Quaid E Azam trophy. Two days ago it was unthinkable that Younis might not be picked at Brisbane. Not any more.

And Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali and Babar Azam have adapted now, and each scored over 100 runs in a very low scoring series.

Babar Azam wasn't even a certain starter a week ago. Now he is quite obviously Pakistan's premier batsman.

That can only be a good thing.

The bowling is actually 75% covered.

Mohammad Amir averaged 28.57 in NZ and would have averaged in the teens if his catches were taken. Yasir Shah will be fine, and Rahat Ali's height will work well in Australia, as will Wahab Riaz's pace.

The problem is that Sohail Khan failed in NZ and there is no right-arm Asif-type to dry up the scoring rate. And no off-spinner to bowl to seven left-handers in the Aussie eleven, which suggests that Inzamam may not understand his job.

It's always hard for Asian teams to win in Australia. The batsmen tend not to cope with the bounce and the bowlers bowl too short.

But this Pakistan team has just had a month in NZ followed by two weeks in Australia.

And this Australia team is the weakest one for thirty years.

Warner, Khawaja, Smith, Starc and Hazlewood are all potential match winners.

But the other six are very, very dodgy.

Matt Renshaw is even more slow scoring than Azhar Ali, but he also has a big technical vulnerability in moving across his stumps. Michael Slater pulverised his technique on air.

Peter Handscomb is even more vulnerable to quality pace bowling: he bats so deep in his crease that if you pitch the ball on a full length he fishes for it.

Nic Maddinson is the high-risk unsound batsman that [MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] has warned us all about.

Matt Wade makes a lot of noise (in Rugby League Land we wonder "who is this Gary Lyon?") but still can't catch and his colour blindness clearly affected his pink ball batting under lights.

Jackson Bird remains a moderate medium-fast bowler.

Nathan Lyon remains a moderate offie.

Best of all, whereas nobody knew what to expect with Colin De Grandhomme, Mickey Arthur has already seen the three rookie Aussie batsmen in a Day/Night pink ball Test, and will have made plans for them.

The balance of the Aussie team has gone with the loss of an all-rounder in Mitch Marsh, which means that Starc and Hazlewood get less rest. And they have just lost a series to the worst South Africa team for 50 years.

So maybe, just maybe, Pakistan has been jolted out of its complacency, and Mickey Arthur can send out the strongest eleven rather than be forced to pick Younis Khan even after 10 failures in 11 innings outside Asia this year.

 

[Junaids]

I am reminded of the 1987-88 tour of the West Indies.

The batsmen were in horrible form initially and lost the ODI series 5-0, which was quite shocking at the time.

But the West Indies had several ATG's (Richards, Marshall, Greenidge, Haynes, Dujon) supported by rookies - including Curtly Ambrose - and Pakistan ruthlessly exploited those rookies and drew 1-1 in the Test series. Ambrose averaged 52 with the ball.

This tour reminds me of that. And Pakistan don't have any players this time as bad as Ijaz Fakih, Aamer Malik, Saleem Jaffer, Rameez Raja and Saleem Yousaf.

 

[Gilly]

Nathan Lyon is a better bowler than Wahab Riaz.

 

[Junaids]

Nathan Lyon is a better bowler than Wahab Riaz.

I'd still make Australia strong favourites.

Mickey Arthur needs to hatch some plans for the Aussie novice batters, and he needs Babar Azam to have a huge series.

 

[Hasan123]

Younis isn't going to get dropped though

 

[Mamoon]

Nothing is going to happen. Australia will thrash us.

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Interesting read, lets see what happens

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Wait, so let me get this straight.

Before the NZ series, thrashing the NZ team 2-0 would have given us confidence leading us to face the Australian team down under.

After we lost the 1st test, winning the 2nd test, would have given us confidence going to Australia.

When we were sure that 2nd test was not within our grasp, a respectable draw and losing the series 1-0 was supposed to instill in us the confidence to compete Down Under.

When we lost the 2nd test, the failures of Younis Khan and rise of Babar Azam is going to give us confidence to beat a weakened Australia.

We seem a lot bubbly and full of confidence eh?

Or is it just a trend I am seeing here?

...

 

[Duckworth Lewis]

Pakistan is going to lose the series 2-1 and will win our hearts for showing fight and grit.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

What I took from the OP is that we are probably coming to the end of the road with some of the senior pros and the NZ tour highlighted that. Australia will win this series but there are decent prospects like Babar Azam coming through so there are some things to build on.

Aus are pretty shaky themselves at the moment so the series should be more competitive than the NZ one. Personally I think Imran Khan should be given serious consideration ahead of Sohail Khan for the right hand bowling option. Similar pace but far better control and genuine seam movement.

 

[Junaids]

Wait, so let me get this straight.

Before the NZ series, thrashing the NZ team 2-0 would have given us confidence leading us to face the Australian team down under.

After we lost the 1st test, winning the 2nd test, would have given us confidence going to Australia.

When we were sure that 2nd test was not within our grasp, a respectable draw and losing the series 1-0 was supposed to instill in us the confidence to compete Down Under.

When we lost the 2nd test, the failures of Younis Khan and rise of Babar Azam is going to give us confidence to beat a weakened Australia.

We seem a lot bubbly and full of confidence eh?

Or is it just a trend I am seeing here?

...

You are not getting my point about confidence.

It is my opinion that Inzamam and Misbah had misplaced confidence in the ability of a 43 year old Younis Khan and in Sohail Khan and were going to pay dearly for their naïveté.

They thought that the only change needed from a UAE team was one less spinner and one more medium pacer.

Now, better late than never, it is starting to become clear that the best two batsmen outside Asia are actually the youngest two - Sami and Babar - and that if Younis doesn't score runs in the warm-up at Cairns then he probably has to be dropped.

Similarly, I think that Mickey Arthur grasps that Sohail Khan and Imran Khan aren't good enough to succeed in Australia, and there just might be a glimmer of hope that reinforcements might be called up, just two days after the failed squad from NZ was foolishly left unchanged.

The overconfidence is gone, and it is obvious that a change or two to the starting eleven might be necessary. Not radical surgery, just a change or two.

 

[Junaids]

Suddenly, terrifyingly, Mohammad Hafeez looks like the missing part of the jigsaw.

I mentioned in the first post the fact that the following Aussies are left-handed batsmen:

Dave Warner
Shaun Marsh / Matt Renshaw
Usman Khawaja
Nic Maddinson
Matthew Wade
Mitchell Starc
Josh Hazlewood

The situation calls for an off-spinner. And a fifth bowler would allow the three quicks to bowl shorter, faster spells.

So I am now desperate for my least favourite cricketer, Mohammad Hafeez, to replace Younis Khan in the team and bat at Number 6, after the ball has lost its shine and gone soft.

He won't score any less runs than Younis would at his age, but if he gets 2 wickets per innings he is like gold dust added to the team.

 

[Pantani]

So suddenly Mohammad Hafeez is going to grab wickets when the greatest off spinners of all time have been plundered in Australia mercilessly

Why is Hafeez (of all people) expected to succeed where Murali, Ajmal, Swann, Harbhajan, Ashwin etc. have utterly failed?

If Hafeez plays he'll come in for the Imran Tahir treatment, it doesn't matter how many left handers there are or how often Australia get bundled out for nothing these days. The man hasn't been able to bowl in competitive cricket at any level for like two years, how is he going to find success in the same country where the greatest bowler of all time averaged 75?

Pakistan should stick to fast bowlers and Yasir and hope that gets the job done.

 

[Zeshan547]

1_Azhar
2_Sami
3_Babar
4_Yk (not ideal but he will be there, atleast for 1st test)
5_Misbah
6_Hafeez
7_Sarfraz
8_Sohail
9_Yasir
10_Amir
11_Rahat( because his swing is needed for day nighter, because wahab without reverse swing will be totally useless on green pitch) this is the best possible XI. And this team atleast on paper has potential to beat oz.

 

[Junaids]

So suddenly Mohammad Hafeez is going to grab wickets when the greatest off spinners of all time have been plundered in Australia mercilessly

Why is Hafeez (of all people) expected to succeed where Murali, Ajmal, Swann, Harbhajan, Ashwin etc. have utterly failed?

If Hafeez plays he'll come in for the Imran Tahir treatment, it doesn't matter how many left handers there are or how often Australia get bundled out for nothing these days. The man hasn't been able to bowl in competitive cricket at any level for like two years, how is he going to find success in the same country where the greatest bowler of all time averaged 75?

Pakistan should stick to fast bowlers and Yasir and hope that gets the job done.

Renshaw, Maddinson and Wade are not Hayden, Langer and Gilchrist!

And his value is as a fifth bowler bowling three 5 over spells per day to keep the fast bowlers limited to shorter spells.

And aiming for innings figures of:

20-5-70-2

But also meaning that Sohail Khan bowls 15 overs per day at 135K median speed, rather than 20 overs at 131K median speed.

 

[Ami]

Listen zeshan547...
You know and i know and everyone in the world knows that Hafeez will not bat at no 6....hes an opener in the old Pakistsni tradition.
Its beneath him.
Anyways. ...

 

[Zeshan547]

Amir 3 spells of 6 overs, Wahab 3 spells of 4 overs,
Sohail 3 spells of 5 overs,
Yasir 3 spells of 10 overs,
Hafeez 3 spells 5 overs,
total day work
Amir 18 overs,
Sohail 15 overs,
Wahab 12 overs,
Yasir 30 overs,
Hafeez 15 overs, i think this is what junaids is asking for, in ideal world we should have a pace all rounder for hafeez, but we don't have one, so we have to bowl half of total overs as spin overs, but this 5 bowlers policy will make sure that three quicks can go full throttle and have no excuse of being tired and over worked, contain with spin and fully attack with pace.

 

[Junaids]

So suddenly Mohammad Hafeez is going to grab wickets when the greatest

Amir 3 spells of 6 overs, Wahab 3 spells of 4 overs,
Sohail 3 spells of 5 overs,
Yasir 3 spells of 10 overs,
Hafeez 3 spells 5 overs,
total day work
Amir 18 overs,
Sohail 15 overs,
Wahab 12 overs,
Yasir 30 overs,
Hafeez 15 overs, i think this is what junaids is asking for, in ideal world we should have a pace all rounder for hafeez, but we don't have one, so we have to bowl half of total overs as spin overs, but this 5 bowlers policy will make sure that three quicks can go full throttle and have no excuse of being tired and over worked, contain with spin and fully attack with pace.

Exactly!

The pacers will each take more wickets the less overs they bowl per day.

 

[Zeshan547]

Listen zeshan547...
You know and i know and everyone in the world knows that Hafeez will not bat at no 6....hes an opener in the old Pakistsni tradition.
Its beneath him.
Anyways. ...

and you listen mate, desperate times call for desperate measures, so if you were hafeez, would you prefer to bat at six but still be able make the team or keep your so called pride and miss out? I think you and me know the answer, and in the part he did those nakhray because he knew he would be granted his wish of playing as opener, but a lot has changed since then and now, and this hafeez won't ever do this miss take of asking to open if he really wants to be in the XI.

 

[Jan Sher]

People are ready to bash YK, but tend to forget Misbah? Has Misbah ever played a knock like YK's at Oval? Well YK is a legend, and he deserves respect. If he fails in Australia, then we should call for his retirement, before that no.

 

[saeedhk]

We are going to get thrashed badly. I expect us to bundle for under 150 runs in multiple innings.

 

[Pete Rose]

We are going to get thrashed badly. I expect us to bundle for under 150 runs in multiple innings.

In other words, the same as the last 21 years of touring Australia.

 

[Convict]

I love how Renshaw is apparently an incredibly slow batsman based on one game as a 20 year old on debut on a non flat wicket against the best pace attack in the world.

 

[Junaids]

I love how Renshaw is apparently an incredibly slow batsman based on one game as a 20 year old on debut on a non flat wicket against the best pace attack in the world.

Best pace attack in the world? The one which England beat comfortably last southern summer?

Abbott bowling 131 K, Philander bowling 127 K and Rabada bowling 143K but pretty straight.

I can assure you, the England pace attack is both faster and more penetrative than that.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Best pace attack in the world? The one which England beat comfortably last southern summer?

Abbott bowling 131 K, Philander bowling 127 K and Rabada bowling 143K but pretty straight.

I can assure you, the England pace attack is both faster and more penetrative than that.

Although the Saffer attack might not be better than England one, I have a feeling Pakistan attack is not better than this Saffer attack.

Which means, Renshaw will score more, at faster pace.

 

[JibranAnsari]

I will deem it a victory even if we draw a test match after rain washes away a whole days play.

 

[Junaids]

Although the Saffer attack might not be better than England one, I have a feeling Pakistan attack is not better than this Saffer attack.

Which means, Renshaw will score more, at faster pace.

I'm writing from Queensland, and the advice locally is that he is far from the finished article.

He is similar to "Baby Boycott" but without both the range of shots and the defensive technique. Rather like Sami Aslam he is a good leaver, but his footwork is unorthodox.

 

[Convict]

Renshaw has plenty of shots from what I have seen in Shield cricket.

 

[Pete Rose]

Nothing excites me than a tour to Australia (except pre 94 West Indies). It's a cruel drug - a month long tour means lots of nights without sleep.

 

[Junaids]

Renshaw has plenty of shots from what I have seen in Shield cricket.

As I wrote, I'm mainly reporting what other people have told me.

What do you make of Michael Slater's criticism of his defensive footwork?

 

[Convict]

As I wrote, I'm mainly reporting what other people have told me.

What do you make of Michael Slater's criticism of his defensive footwork?

I don't disagree that there appears to be something for bowlers to work with there.

He does so far seem to survive despite it though.

 

[MMHS]

You did not misread the title.

I think that Pakistan's chances in Australia have improved in recent days, not got worse.

Pretty much everything I warned about in New Zealand and Australia has happened. Younis and Misbah looked horrible with the bat, there was inadequate preparation and Sohail Khan averaged 38 with the ball in favourable conditions.

The final day at Hamilton saw Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali join Babar Azam in good touch. But the sudden collapse and 2-0 defeat has swept away the complacency and hubris and arrogance which saw Inzamam sleepwalk to disaster the day before by announcing an unchanged team for Australia.

This can only be good. Finally everyone is having to face up to the fact that Younis Khan can't be selected in the starting eleven unless he shows signs of being able to cope in Australia. And there is once more the prospect of reinforcements if someone imposes themselves upon the final stages of the Quaid E Azam trophy. Two days ago it was unthinkable that Younis might not be picked at Brisbane. Not any more.

And Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali and Babar Azam have adapted now, and each scored over 100 runs in a very low scoring series.

Babar Azam wasn't even a certain starter a week ago. Now he is quite obviously Pakistan's premier batsman.

That can only be a good thing.

The bowling is actually 75% covered.

Mohammad Amir averaged 28.57 in NZ and would have averaged in the teens if his catches were taken. Yasir Shah will be fine, and Rahat Ali's height will work well in Australia, as will Wahab Riaz's pace.

The problem is that Sohail Khan failed in NZ and there is no right-arm Asif-type to dry up the scoring rate. And no off-spinner to bowl to seven left-handers in the Aussie eleven, which suggests that Inzamam may not understand his job.

It's always hard for Asian teams to win in Australia. The batsmen tend not to cope with the bounce and the bowlers bowl too short.

But this Pakistan team has just had a month in NZ followed by two weeks in Australia.

And this Australia team is the weakest one for thirty years.

Warner, Khawaja, Smith, Starc and Hazlewood are all potential match winners.

But the other six are very, very dodgy.

Matt Renshaw is even more slow scoring than Azhar Ali, but he also has a big technical vulnerability in moving across his stumps. Michael Slater pulverised his technique on air.

Peter Handscomb is even more vulnerable to quality pace bowling: he bats so deep in his crease that if you pitch the ball on a full length he fishes for it.

Nic Maddinson is the high-risk unsound batsman that [MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] has warned us all about.

Matt Wade makes a lot of noise (in Rugby League Land we wonder "who is this Gary Lyon?") but still can't catch and his colour blindness clearly affected his pink ball batting under lights.

Jackson Bird remains a moderate medium-fast bowler.

Nathan Lyon remains a moderate offie.

Best of all, whereas nobody knew what to expect with Colin De Grandhomme, Mickey Arthur has already seen the three rookie Aussie batsmen in a Day/Night pink ball Test, and will have made plans for them.

The balance of the Aussie team has gone with the loss of an all-rounder in Mitch Marsh, which means that Starc and Hazlewood get less rest. And they have just lost a series to the worst South Africa team for 50 years.

So maybe, just maybe, Pakistan has been jolted out of its complacency, and Mickey Arthur can send out the strongest eleven rather than be forced to pick Younis Khan even after 10 failures in 11 innings outside Asia this year.

Relax boss - I agree many of your points; but tell me one thing - what hasn't changed in 7 decades, how it can change in 7 days? In AUS 75%+ wickets will be taken as catch behind batsman - & I'll take a bet at any stake - 1st Test, 1st hour, if PAK bowls, within first 5 overs, PAK fielders will drop a sitter of Warner at slips.

You can improve any aspect of the game if you are passionate & feel the necessity for it. PAK players, coaches, buzurgs (seniors) & fans hardly bothers for catching - in fact players take it as a burden & never enjoys fielding, for which, it's is exposed when they are under pressure. I tell you a classic example - Robert Badley Simpson (I am sure you know him, used to stand at 2nd slip was asked - what was his trick of catching - he said, "Desperate desire - I expected every ball to come at me for whole day. I always jumped first to stand at slip & wait for a catch to come, just like a desert rock waits for rain looking at the blue sky". I can bet my house - if you ask any PAK player, if they are honest - they'll tell that their favorite position is 3rd man or fine leg & they wish no catch come to them ever.

Take a random pick - defending 151 on Day 5 wicket, Misbah dropped a sitter of Amir at Sharjah on 1st over; Captain inserts opponents on a green wicket to knock few with new ball - Sami drops a sitter on 3rd ball to the stonewaller of batting side & I can go on ..... This will never change, unless it hurts core inside you. PAK lost the New Lands Test or the the Sydney Test or the Birmingham Test only for catching - I am sure, none even noticed that.

You see - last week, some Aussie fielder dropped a SAF catch (Amla probably) - Ian, Tubby & Warne cried for that one drop for at least next 60 minutes & I could feel their pain. In fact, when Amla got out, Tubby still mentioned that drop - few years back, PAK lost a Test in NZ (Umar's debut match), where, I counted 7 sitters dropped & another 7 at least, not attempted, hence not listed as drops - after match, PTVs Buzurg analysts said in their chost Urdu that - 2/3 catches can go down, that's part of the game, but bowlers should have taken wickets by other ways, there are 7/8 ways that a batsmen can get out for a reason

If PAK bowlers are to take more than 23 wickets to get Aussies all-out twice - PAK'll do great to avoid losing this series 3-0, unless it rains. I don't bother much about batting or bowling - which I wrote before ENG tour as as well.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Suddenly, terrifyingly, Mohammad Hafeez looks like the missing part of the jigsaw.

I mentioned in the first post the fact that the following Aussies are left-handed batsmen:

Dave Warner
Shaun Marsh / Matt Renshaw
Usman Khawaja
Nic Maddinson
Matthew Wade
Mitchell Starc
Josh Hazlewood

The situation calls for an off-spinner. And a fifth bowler would allow the three quicks to bowl shorter, faster spells.

So I am now desperate for my least favourite cricketer, Mohammad Hafeez, to replace Younis Khan in the team and bat at Number 6, after the ball has lost its shine and gone soft.

He won't score any less runs than Younis would at his age, but if he gets 2 wickets per innings he is like gold dust added to the team.

Unfortunately, Hafeez is a must in Australia. He has to replace Younis if he fails in the first test.

 

[Hasan123]

Relax boss - I agree many of your points; but tell me one thing - what hasn't changed in 7 decades, how it can change in 7 days? In AUS 75%+ wickets will be taken as catch behind batsman - & I'll take a bet at any stake - 1st Test, 1st hour, if PAK bowls, within first 5 overs, PAK fielders will drop a sitter of Warner at slips.

You can improve any aspect of the game if you are passionate & feel the necessity for it. PAK players, coaches, buzurgs (seniors) & fans hardly bothers for catching - in fact players take it as a burden & never enjoys fielding, for which, it's is exposed when they are under pressure. I tell you a classic example - Robert Badley Simpson (I am sure you know him, used to stand at 2nd slip was asked - what was his trick of catching - he said, "Desperate desire - I expected every ball to come at me for whole day. I always jumped first to stand at slip & wait for a catch to come, just like a desert rock waits for rain looking at the blue sky". I can bet my house - if you ask any PAK player, if they are honest - they'll tell that their favorite position is 3rd man or fine leg & they wish no catch come to them ever.

Take a random pick - defending 151 on Day 5 wicket, Misbah dropped a sitter of Amir at Sharjah on 1st over; Captain inserts opponents on a green wicket to knock few with new ball - Sami drops a sitter on 3rd ball to the stonewaller of batting side & I can go on ..... This will never change, unless it hurts core inside you. PAK lost the New Lands Test or the the Sydney Test or the Birmingham Test only for catching - I am sure, none even noticed that.

You see - last week, some Aussie fielder dropped a SAF catch (Amla probably) - Ian, Tubby & Warne cried for that one drop for at least next 60 minutes & I could feel their pain. In fact, when Amla got out, Tubby still mentioned that drop - few years back, PAK lost a Test in NZ (Umar's debut match), where, I counted 7 sitters dropped & another 7 at least, not attempted, hence not listed as drops - after match, PTVs Buzurg analysts said in their chost Urdu that - 2/3 catches can go down, that's part of the game, but bowlers should have taken wickets by other ways, there are 7/8 ways that a batsmen can get out for a reason

If PAK bowlers are to take more than 23 wickets to get Aussies all-out twice - PAK'll do great to avoid losing this series 3-0, unless it rains. I don't bother much about batting or bowling - which I wrote before ENG tour as as well.

To improve slip catching the pitches at domestic level need to improve where edges carry to slip fielders. Which will mean captains will have slips in for long periods allowing the fielders to get use to standing at slip for a long time and learning how to concentrate at slip. Also they will learn the technical and positional aspects of standing at slip.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Wait, so let me get this straight.

Before the NZ series, thrashing the NZ team 2-0 would have given us confidence leading us to face the Australian team down under.

After we lost the 1st test, winning the 2nd test, would have given us confidence going to Australia.

When we were sure that 2nd test was not within our grasp, a respectable draw and losing the series 1-0 was supposed to instill in us the confidence to compete Down Under.

When we lost the 2nd test, the failures of Younis Khan and rise of Babar Azam is going to give us confidence to beat a weakened Australia.

We seem a lot bubbly and full of confidence eh?

Or is it just a trend I am seeing here?

...

I think its all the blessings you've been receiving in disguises that are finally going to come to fruition, hence Pakistan are favourites for tour down under.

 

[Pete Rose]

Unfortunately, Hafeez is a must in Australia. He has to replace Younis if he fails in the first test.

He is not and he will not be playing a single match there

 

[MMHS]

To improve slip catching the pitches at domestic level need to improve where edges carry to slip fielders. Which will mean captains will have slips in for long periods allowing the fielders to get use to standing at slip for a long time and learning how to concentrate at slip. Also they will learn the technical and positional aspects of standing at slip.

True, but partially. Above all, you have to enjoy fielding.

Do you think, Indian domestic wickets were like WACA or Old Bridgetown or J'burg - when IND had Dravid, Azhar & VVS at 1, 2 & 3rd slip or SRL had Mahela, Sanga & Dilshan at 1, 2, 3 ............

You have enjoy it boss, and you have to put your heart that Slip catching is equally important like "Larke lenge" batting or bowling. Looking at the face of PAK fielders, I do feel that they are put in a jail at slips - only MoHa stood at 1st slip willingly, not because he enjoyed that or he was any good, rather it was just a status symbol for him. YK does enjoy his fielding & catching - at 42, he is better catcher than Sarfu without gloves, trust me.

 

[Hasan123]

True, but partially. Above all, you have to enjoy fielding.

Do you think, Indian domestic wickets were like WACA or Old Bridgetown or J'burg - when IND had Dravid, Azhar & VVS at 1, 2 & 3rd slip or SRL had Mahela, Sanga & Dilshan at 1, 2, 3 ............

You have enjoy it boss, and you have to put your heart that Slip catching is equally important like "Larke lenge" batting or bowling. Looking at the face of PAK fielders, I do feel that they are put in a jail at slips - only MoHa stood at 1st slip willingly, not because he enjoyed that or he was any good, rather it was just a status symbol for him. YK does enjoy his fielding & catching - at 42, he is better catcher than Sarfu without gloves, trust me.

Agreed but domestic pitches don't allow us to enjoy fielding as the players can't dive around and don't stand at slip much.

 

[MMHS]

Agreed but domestic pitches don't allow us to enjoy fielding as the players can't dive around and don't stand at slip much.

Again partially true.

Man, I am a student of the game - in 80s, the grounds that WI or SRL team played their internationals (forget FC) - compared to that contemporary PAK major domestic venues are like Snooker table ....... It does help to have a lash green out field, but WI cricketers learned their game in beaches, Kenyans of late 90s were some of the best fielders, that Niroby Gymkhana ground had snakes roaming around !!!!!!!!! There is absolutely no excuse of such shambolic fielding & catching - those 25-30 players in National set-up are given best facilities & coaches for years now.

One critical aspect I do agree - Domestic wickets; now 80% wickets go down as Bowled/LBW because of the nature of the wicket. But, if wickets change with a miracle - still only major change I see is bowlers taking 29 wickets to get 20 down. What we see with PAK team on away tours, we'll see same in Domestics as well. The National team is a reflection of what's below there - it doesn't hurt with loss against SAF or AUS at SCG or New Lands loss - how do you expect that to change between Sui Gas & Habib Bank?

 

[Hasan123]

Again partially true.

Man, I am a student of the game - in 80s, the grounds that WI or SRL team played their internationals (forget FC) - compared to that contemporary PAK major domestic venues are like Snooker table ....... It does help to have a lash green out field, but WI cricketers learned their game in beaches, Kenyans of late 90s were some of the best fielders, that Niroby Gymkhana ground had snakes roaming around !!!!!!!!! There is absolutely no excuse of such shambolic fielding & catching - those 25-30 players in National set-up are given best facilities & coaches for years now.

One critical aspect I do agree - Domestic wickets; now 80% wickets go down as Bowled/LBW because of the nature of the wicket. But, if wickets change with a miracle - still only major change I see is bowlers taking 29 wickets to get 20 down. What we see with PAK team on away tours, we'll see same in Domestics as well. The National team is a reflection of what's below there - it doesn't hurt with loss against SAF or AUS at SCG or New Lands loss - how do you expect that to change between Sui Gas & Habib Bank?

Fielding does come to down to attitude but I don't think you can enjoy fielding on pitches that don't encourage diving and the ball not carrying to you at slip.

Don't know if there will be any changes. Inzi has said that they will look at, time will well tell if there will be changes or not.

 

[MMHS]

Fielding does come to down to attitude but I don't think you can enjoy fielding on pitches that don't encourage diving and the ball not carrying to you at slip.

Don't know if there will be any changes. Inzi has said that they will look at, time will well tell if there will be changes or not.

Might change, only if it's changed in Domestics - wickets, focus (PAK players don't think of getting wickets from away going ball, Imran was happy for 7 overs slanting across Raval on a green top on Day 1 with 12 overs old ball).

Slip catching is part of a culture as well - most the slip fielders actually stand at the same spot fr their domestics as well - PAK used 6 players in last 6 months at 1st slip - Azhar, MoHa, Sami, Rizwan, Iftekhar & YK (Not sure, but I think, I have seen Shaan, Misbah & Asad as well). Imagine, what will happen in FC - the senior most 2 players are born with the right to stand at 1st & 2nd slip, as you don't need to run much there - that little respect they do deserve for coming to this World earlier.

 

[Hasan123]

Might change, only if it's changed in Domestics - wickets, focus (PAK players don't think of getting wickets from away going ball, Imran was happy for 7 overs slanting across Raval on a green top on Day 1 with 12 overs old ball).

Slip catching is part of a culture as well - most the slip fielders actually stand at the same spot fr their domestics as well - PAK used 6 players in last 6 months at 1st slip - Azhar, MoHa, Sami, Rizwan, Iftekhar & YK (Not sure, but I think, I have seen Shaan, Misbah & Asad as well). Imagine, what will happen in FC - the senior most 2 players are born with the right to stand at 1st & 2nd slip, as you don't need to run much there - that little respect they do deserve for coming to this World earlier.

We don't have any consistent slip fielders other than Younis. Sometimes Azhar is there,sometimes Sami,sometimes Asad, your right with that.

Hopefully Mickey assess who the best slippers are and puts them there. Also hope he puts Yasir as a 3rd slip to conserve his energy.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

The key here is for the Pakistani batsmen to give Australian bowlers a difficult time
The Australian crowd will appreciate and respect the batsmen just like kohli

The Pakistani bowlers don't have much of an opportunity against Australian batsmen who set their own rules especially in Australian conditions
The Pakistani bowlers will can relax knowing fully well the Australian bowlers will have to set the tone and exploit the cracks better

 

[The_Odd_One]

He is not and he will not be playing a single match there

He will score 30-40s just like he did in England but his usefulness is in his bowling. Hafeez should never ever play in the top 3 but he does have a utility as a #6 in tests.

 

[moghul]

You did not misread the title.

I think that Pakistan's chances in Australia have improved in recent days, not got worse.

Pretty much everything I warned about in New Zealand and Australia has happened. Younis and Misbah looked horrible with the bat, there was inadequate preparation and Sohail Khan averaged 38 with the ball in favourable conditions.

The final day at Hamilton saw Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali join Babar Azam in good touch. But the sudden collapse and 2-0 defeat has swept away the complacency and hubris and arrogance which saw Inzamam sleepwalk to disaster the day before by announcing an unchanged team for Australia.

This can only be good. Finally everyone is having to face up to the fact that Younis Khan can't be selected in the starting eleven unless he shows signs of being able to cope in Australia. And there is once more the prospect of reinforcements if someone imposes themselves upon the final stages of the Quaid E Azam trophy. Two days ago it was unthinkable that Younis might not be picked at Brisbane. Not any more.

And Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali and Babar Azam have adapted now, and each scored over 100 runs in a very low scoring series.

Babar Azam wasn't even a certain starter a week ago. Now he is quite obviously Pakistan's premier batsman.

That can only be a good thing.

The bowling is actually 75% covered.

Mohammad Amir averaged 28.57 in NZ and would have averaged in the teens if his catches were taken. Yasir Shah will be fine, and Rahat Ali's height will work well in Australia, as will Wahab Riaz's pace.

The problem is that Sohail Khan failed in NZ and there is no right-arm Asif-type to dry up the scoring rate. And no off-spinner to bowl to seven left-handers in the Aussie eleven, which suggests that Inzamam may not understand his job.

It's always hard for Asian teams to win in Australia. The batsmen tend not to cope with the bounce and the bowlers bowl too short.

But this Pakistan team has just had a month in NZ followed by two weeks in Australia.

And this Australia team is the weakest one for thirty years.

Warner, Khawaja, Smith, Starc and Hazlewood are all potential match winners.

But the other six are very, very dodgy.

Matt Renshaw is even more slow scoring than Azhar Ali, but he also has a big technical vulnerability in moving across his stumps. Michael Slater pulverised his technique on air.

Peter Handscomb is even more vulnerable to quality pace bowling: he bats so deep in his crease that if you pitch the ball on a full length he fishes for it.

Nic Maddinson is the high-risk unsound batsman that [MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] has warned us all about.

Matt Wade makes a lot of noise (in Rugby League Land we wonder "who is this Gary Lyon?") but still can't catch and his colour blindness clearly affected his pink ball batting under lights.

Jackson Bird remains a moderate medium-fast bowler.

Nathan Lyon remains a moderate offie.

Best of all, whereas nobody knew what to expect with Colin De Grandhomme, Mickey Arthur has already seen the three rookie Aussie batsmen in a Day/Night pink ball Test, and will have made plans for them.

The balance of the Aussie team has gone with the loss of an all-rounder in Mitch Marsh, which means that Starc and Hazlewood get less rest. And they have just lost a series to the worst South Africa team for 50 years.

So maybe, just maybe, Pakistan has been jolted out of its complacency, and Mickey Arthur can send out the strongest eleven rather than be forced to pick Younis Khan even after 10 failures in 11 innings outside Asia this year.

You must be a very enthusiastic person in real life, which is a blessing, I'm happy for you.

 

[shaz619]

Our preparation has been poor regardless of the other factors

 

[Sadevdesai]

The Australian batting may be suspect.... but their bowling suspect too ???? No way. If Starc and Hazelwood are not above average, then our thinking is horribly flawed. Lyon also tends to get wickets, so that is 3 good bowlers.
Our bowling will definitely take care of their batting. Soooo as usual, it comes down to our batting. Hope we click.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan need to play an off spinner here. Maybe Part time , but some one needs to be there .

 

[rollingstoned]

Best pace attack in the world? The one which England beat comfortably last southern summer?

Abbott bowling 131 K, Philander bowling 127 K and Rabada bowling 143K but pretty straight.

I can assure you, the England pace attack is both faster and more penetrative than that.

Philander and Steyn were both out for large parts of the series. Rabada played with Morkel, De Lange and Viljoen in the Joburg test which England won. And no, Anderson and Broad both average almost 30 and bowl mid 130s at best. Woakes and Stokes aren't the sort to run through any lineups either. I'd take the Saf attack over the England one outside Asia, even in Asia I don't rate any of England's spinners.

 

[Junaids]

Philander and Steyn were both out for large parts of the series. Rabada played with Morkel, De Lange and Viljoen in the Joburg test which England won. And no, Anderson and Broad both average almost 30 and bowl mid 130s at best. Woakes and Stokes aren't the sort to run through any lineups either. I'd take the Saf attack over the England one outside Asia, even in Asia I don't rate any of England's spinners.

I'd actually take the India pace attack ahead of the South African one.

I never thought I'd ever write those words!

 

[KhalidRafi]

I have some hope of Pakistan actually doing well and winning the series in Australia. And most of that hope relies on the fact that this is in fact, the weakest Australian team in quite some time. If Pakistan can find a way to not give away all their wickets to Starc and Hazlewood the batting can succeed. And the bowling attack collectively is already pretty decent and a touch above the Australian attack, in my opinion.
Younis Khan's form is a definite cause for concern, the way he played bounce and seam in New Zealand was absolutely horrid. So both him and Misbah performing will be integral if Pakistan are to do well.

But most of all, as the OP pointed out, Pakistan have to find a way to exploit the rookies and not let the bigger players do too much damage. Alot of this will ofcourse depend on how the batsmen cope against the bounce.

 

[Abdullah719]

I'd actually take the India pace attack ahead of the South African one.

I never thought I'd ever write those words!

Seriously?

Rabada/Steyn/Philander/Morkel/Abbott vs Shami/Yadav/Ishant/BK/Aaron

Don't see how the latter is superior.

 

[street cricketer]

Seriously?

Rabada/Steyn/Philander/Morkel/Abbott vs Shami/Yadav/Ishant/BK/Aaron

Don't see how the latter is superior.

Junaids has been trolling South Africa for some reason in the last few days after their series victory in Australia. Don't know why

 

[Junaids]

Junaids has been trolling South Africa for some reason in the last few days after their series victory in Australia. Don't know why

South Africa is - along with Pakistan and West Indies - a team that I have followed for 40 years.

And I can tell you that this is the worst South African side for 50 years now that Amla and Steyn are shadows of their former selves.

AB De Villiers and Quinton De Kock are the only two players who would have got into the South Africa team at any point since 1967.

Kagiso Rabada has promise, but is a real rough diamond - mainly just pace at this point.

 

[Junaids]

South Africa is - along with Pakistan and West Indies - a team that I have followed for 40 years.

And I can tell you that this is the worst South African side for 50 years now that Amla and Steyn are shadows of their former selves.

AB De Villiers and Quinton De Kock are the only two players who would have got into the South Africa team at any point since 1967.

Kagiso Rabada has promise, but is a real rough diamond - mainly just pace at this point.

Let's just compare for the sake of argument with what would have been the 1975 team:

Barry Richards or Dean Elgar? 10 v 3
Jimmy Cook or Stephen Cook? 9 v 3
Peter Kirsten or veteran stage Hashim Amla? 8 v 6
Graeme Pollock or AB De Villiers? 10 v 8
Allan Lamb v FAF du Plessis? 6 v 5
Eddie Barlow v Temba Bavuma? 7 v 5
Lee Irvine v Quinton De Kock? 7 v 9
Clive Rice v Vernon Philander? 8 v 6
Mike Procter v Kagiso Rabada? 10 v 6
Vintcent Van Der Bijl v Kyle Abbott? 9 v 6
Denys Hobson v Keshav Maharaj? 7 v 4

The gulf in class is just vast. Astronomical.

That's why I'm not impressed by South Africa now.

 

[Junaids]

Australia keeps self-destructing.......

The Aussie press has been scathing about Matthew Wade's wicketkeeping at Adelaide, and argued that it shows why he was dropped in the first place.

But now Glenn Maxwell has complained that Wade has pushed himself above Maxwell in the Victoria batting line-up as a selfish attempt to get back into the national team.

Maxwell has been fined for telling an inconvenient truth, but the bottom line is that in spite of the attempt to close ranks around Wade there is now open questioning as to whether the team is being picked on merit or personality, and Wade is being viewed as very lucky to be back in the team.

 

[Convict]

Maxwell has been fined for whinging like a baby when he's not performing.

A team doesn't function if you publicly callout teammates either.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Maxwell has been fined for whinging like a baby when he's not performing.

A team doesn't function if you publicly callout teammates either.

Darren Lehmann roasted Maxwell pretty bad too. Dont know if it was before or after this though

 

[Convict]

Darren Lehmann roasted Maxwell pretty bad too. Dont know if it was before or after this though

It was after.

Maxwell complained that he was disappointed not to be picked in Adelaide and suggested it was because he was batting at number 6 for Victoria because the Captain Matthew Wade wanted to bat up the order (ignoring the fact that Cameron White has been able to score runs at 7).

Quiney and Berry gave him stick saying that Victoria selected players to win the games.

And Darren Lehmann came in and said that Maxwell was never even considered for Adelaide because he hasn't scored a century in two years anyway.

There is background to this. Maxwell tried to move to New South Wales a few months ago to get more of an opportunity to bat up the order but Victoria opposed this.

 

[Junaids]

Maxwell has been fined for whinging like a baby when he's not performing.

A team doesn't function if you publicly callout teammates either.

Yes, that's my point.

I'm not defending Maxwell's stupidity.

I'm saying that it puts Matthew Wade under even more pressure.

 

[Convict]

Yes, that's my point.

I'm not defending Maxwell's stupidity.

I'm saying that it puts Matthew Wade under even more pressure.

It really doesn't.

Also Australian media =/= NSW media whinging that their boy got dropped.

Wade is a subpar keeper but the media isn't saying anything about it for now

 

[Dr_Bassim]

It was after.

Maxwell complained that he was disappointed not to be picked in Adelaide and suggested it was because he was batting at number 6 for Victoria because the Captain Matthew Wade wanted to bat up the order (ignoring the fact that Cameron White has been able to score runs at 7).

Quiney and Berry gave him stick saying that Victoria selected players to win the games.

And Darren Lehmann came in and said that Maxwell was never even considered for Adelaide because he hasn't scored a century in two years anyway.

There is background to this. Maxwell tried to move to New South Wales a few months ago to get more of an opportunity to bat up the order but Victoria opposed this.

Although I don't know much background, but I have to question something on this.

Why would Victoria oppose the move to NSW, if they weren't interested in giving Maxwell a higher batting position.

I also saw, they dropped Maxwell after that supposed move in the first game of Shield cricket.

Pretty unfair, if you ask me.

 

[Junaids]

It really doesn't.

Also Australian media =/= NSW media whinging that their boy got dropped.

Wade is a subpar keeper but the media isn't saying anything about it for now

I think this article pretty much sums it all up.......

http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket...m/news-story/5cf82e7b3e925345889177c24e1ee746

I'd add that on Wednesday 30 November "The Australian" carried an article "New Look Australians Wade In" in which Wade's keeping and endless sledging were compared unfavourably with Pakistan coach Steve Rixon's three decades earlier.

 

[Convict]

Although I don't know much background, but I have to question something on this.

Why would Victoria oppose the move to NSW, if they weren't interested in giving Maxwell a higher batting position.

I also saw, they dropped Maxwell after that supposed move in the first game of Shield cricket.

Pretty unfair, if you ask me.

Because its giving a good player to a rival state.

Personally I think he should have been allowed to go over since he is a National and not a state contract player.

He's obviously going to leave anyway at the end of this season

 

[Convict]

I think this article pretty much sums it all up.......

http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket...m/news-story/5cf82e7b3e925345889177c24e1ee746

I'd add that on Wednesday 30 November "The Australian" carried an article "New Look Australians Wade In" in which Wade's keeping and endless sledging were compared unfavourably with Pakistan coach Steve Rixon's three decades earlier.

>foxsports

So irrelevant NSW media

Wade will get the whole summer and I'm very much not a Wade fan.

 

[Junaids]

>foxsports

So irrelevant NSW media

Wade will get the whole summer and I'm very much not a Wade fan.

I don't mean you personally, but Sandgropers really have a chip on their shoulders about NSW, don't they?

The Fox Sports article that I posted cited the criticisms that Ian Healy and Ian Chappell made on air about Wade's keeping at Adelaide.

The subtext to all of this is that Pakistan's fielding/keeping coach is none other than.......Stumper Rixon. Rixon, you will recall, was a keeper at the same time as Rod Marsh, and kept for the "official" test team during the Packer Circus.

I'm sure that Rixon will be telling the Pakistan players that Matthew Wade is the gift that will keep giving.

 

[Convict]

I don't mean you personally, but Sandgropers really have a chip on their shoulders about NSW, don't they?

The Fox Sports article that I posted cited the criticisms that Ian Healy and Ian Chappell made on air about Wade's keeping at Adelaide.

The subtext to all of this is that Pakistan's fielding/keeping coach is none other than.......Stumper Rixon. Rixon, you will recall, was a keeper at the same time as Rod Marsh, and kept for the "official" test team during the Packer Circus.

I'm sure that Rixon will be telling the Pakistan players that Matthew Wade is the gift that will keep giving.

Its got absolutely nothing to do with any chip on the shoulder.

Fox Sports is predominately NSW (see the amount of rugby league coverage they give and the fact that the call soccer football). Like every other state dominated news outlet they push for the local lad.

There has been minimal criticism of Wade's keeping from the first test.

Anything there is pretty normal.

You really do look incredibly desperate to find a way to spin every little thing as somehow to Pakistan's advantage.

 

[Junaids]

You really do look incredibly desperate to find a way to spin every little thing as somehow to Pakistan's advantage.

As someone who wants Pakistan to win, the best option would have been if Starc and Hazlewood had broken down. Not going to happen.

But do you remember my "Australian Test Batting Averages Watch" thread? http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?248760-Australian-Test-batting-average-watch

It was basically beyond my wildest dreams that Australia would have three rookie batsmen, and swap Nevill for Wade, and have Jackson Bird in the team.

I wouldn't want Younis or Misbah in my team and I'd want Mohammad Asif. But still, if Pakistan can't do well when Australia has shot its own foot off, then Pakistan deserve to be humiliated.

 

[street cricketer]

South Africa is - along with Pakistan and West Indies - a team that I have followed for 40 years.

And I can tell you that this is the worst South African side for 50 years now that Amla and Steyn are shadows of their former selves.

AB De Villiers and Quinton De Kock are the only two players who would have got into the South Africa team at any point since 1967.

Kagiso Rabada has promise, but is a real rough diamond - mainly just pace at this point.

Yeah but South Africa isn't going to play its previous teams. Not many teams are strong compared to the sides of the past and it is one reason why test cricket has been very competitive off late (as there is no single truly standout team).

South Africa might not have Donald or Pollock now, but an attack of Steyn, Philander, Rabada, Morkel and Abbot are comfortably better than any other pace attack in the world. Only team that could challenge is if Australia somehow manage to get Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins and Pattinson all playing at the same time.

 

[Junaids]

Yeah but South Africa isn't going to play its previous teams. Not many teams are strong compared to the sides of the past and it is one reason why test cricket has been very competitive off late (as there is no single truly standout team).

South Africa might not have Donald or Pollock now, but an attack of Steyn, Philander, Rabada, Morkel and Abbot are comfortably better than any other pace attack in the world. Only team that could challenge is if Australia somehow manage to get Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins and Pattinson all playing at the same time.

With respect, I think you're doing what people do with Younis Khan. Confusing past quality with current quality.

I very much doubt that Dale Steyn will ever play another Test. He's gone.

And Philander and Abbott aren't quick enough - their only menace is on a greenish track like at Hobart or against a rubbish batting line-up.

I'd rank the current SA attack about the same as Australia, England, India, New Zealand and Pakistan.

 

[hur rizvi]

It's a sure sort 3-0. With the type of confidence and shape our team is in anything other than a 3-0 will be a big achievement.

 

[hur rizvi]

With respect, I think you're doing what people do with Younis Khan. Confusing past quality with current quality.

I very much doubt that Dale Steyn will ever play another Test. He's gone.

And Philander and Abbott aren't quick enough - their only menace is on a greenish track like at Hobart or against a rubbish batting line-up.

I'd rank the current SA attack about the same as Australia, England, India, New Zealand and Pakistan.

SA attack about same as PAkistan ?

Rabada, Philander, Abbott are way better bowlers than anyone in Pakistan's camp

 

[Napa]

And this Australia team is the weakest one for thirty years.

Warner, Khawaja, Smith, Starc and Hazlewood are all potential match winners.

But the other six are very, very dodgy.

There is a difference between "very, very dodgy" and "young and new" as you are going to become aware of by the end of the series. I expect more "I want answers" threads from you.

 

[Napa]

You did not misread the title.

I think that Pakistan's chances in Australia have improved in recent days, not got worse.

Pretty much everything I warned about in New Zealand and Australia has happened. Younis and Misbah looked horrible with the bat, there was inadequate preparation and Sohail Khan averaged 38 with the ball in favourable conditions.

The final day at Hamilton saw Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali join Babar Azam in good touch. But the sudden collapse and 2-0 defeat has swept away the complacency and hubris and arrogance which saw Inzamam sleepwalk to disaster the day before by announcing an unchanged team for Australia.

This can only be good. Finally everyone is having to face up to the fact that Younis Khan can't be selected in the starting eleven unless he shows signs of being able to cope in Australia. And there is once more the prospect of reinforcements if someone imposes themselves upon the final stages of the Quaid E Azam trophy. Two days ago it was unthinkable that Younis might not be picked at Brisbane. Not any more.

And Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali and Babar Azam have adapted now, and each scored over 100 runs in a very low scoring series.

Babar Azam wasn't even a certain starter a week ago. Now he is quite obviously Pakistan's premier batsman.

That can only be a good thing.

The bowling is actually 75% covered.

Mohammad Amir averaged 28.57 in NZ and would have averaged in the teens if his catches were taken. Yasir Shah will be fine, and Rahat Ali's height will work well in Australia, as will Wahab Riaz's pace.

The problem is that Sohail Khan failed in NZ and there is no right-arm Asif-type to dry up the scoring rate. And no off-spinner to bowl to seven left-handers in the Aussie eleven, which suggests that Inzamam may not understand his job.

It's always hard for Asian teams to win in Australia. The batsmen tend not to cope with the bounce and the bowlers bowl too short.

But this Pakistan team has just had a month in NZ followed by two weeks in Australia.

And this Australia team is the weakest one for thirty years.

Warner, Khawaja, Smith, Starc and Hazlewood are all potential match winners.

<b>But the other six are very, very dodgy.</b>

Matt Renshaw is even more slow scoring than Azhar Ali, but he also has a big technical vulnerability in moving across his stumps. Michael Slater pulverised his technique on air.

Peter Handscomb is even more vulnerable to quality pace bowling: he bats so deep in his crease that if you pitch the ball on a full length he fishes for it.

Nic Maddinson is the high-risk unsound batsman that [MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] has warned us all about.

Matt Wade makes a lot of noise (in Rugby League Land we wonder "who is this Gary Lyon?") but still can't catch and his colour blindness clearly affected his pink ball batting under lights.

Jackson Bird remains a moderate medium-fast bowler.

Nathan Lyon remains a moderate offie.

Best of all, whereas nobody knew what to expect with Colin De Grandhomme, Mickey Arthur has already seen the three rookie Aussie batsmen in a Day/Night pink ball Test, and will have made plans for them.

The balance of the Aussie team has gone with the loss of an all-rounder in Mitch Marsh, which means that Starc and Hazlewood get less rest. And they have just lost a series to the worst South Africa team for 50 years.

So maybe, just maybe, Pakistan has been jolted out of its complacency, and Mickey Arthur can send out the strongest eleven rather than be forced to pick Younis Khan even after 10 failures in 11 innings outside Asia this year.

There is a difference between "very, very dodgy" and "young and new" as you are going to become aware of by the end of the series. I expect more "I want answers" threads from you.

Renshaw average 63.00, Handscomb average 89.75.

As I predicted, by the end of the series you may understand the difference between "very, very dodgy" and "young and new".

Or maybe you will continue relentless lobbying for bringing back old players like Asif and Butt.

 

[Junaids]

Renshaw average 63.00, Handscomb average 89.75.

As I predicted, by the end of the series you may understand the difference between "very, very dodgy" and "young and new".

Or maybe you will continue relentless lobbying for bringing back old players like Asif and Butt.

Butt was ten years younger than Misbah or Younis.

Asif is almost certainly younger than Sohail, and certainly better.

This whole thread was about the last day collapse in NZ needing to wake people up from their delusions about Misbah, Younis, Sohail and Imran being good enough in 2016-17.

But Inzamam and Misbah sleepwalked to catastrophe anyway.

 

[Buffet]

Prospects have certainly improved with this final test pitch and I think Pakistan can draw a game in Aus if they can apply themselves.

 

[GullyCricketFlop]

Yes,at this rate we can certainly win one or two games in the next decade.