Big image: Pakistan usher in new period, Australia swap gears after WC win
For a technology of Australian cricket followers, they’ve solely seen Pakistan’s Test staff decreased to a punchline on their shores. The statistics are notably macabre for Pakistan, who’ve misplaced 14 straight Tests in Australia courting again over 20 years.
Expectations of Pakistan bucking historical past are low. They arrive for the series-opener in Perth with an unfancied line-up that some Australian cricket followers – those that solely observe the game in December and January – wouldn’t know bar a handful of gamers.
Masood has led by instance together with his shift to a extra proactive method on the crease as Pakistan efficiently reverted to an aggressive model throughout a formidable collection win in Sri Lanka in July. Inevitably comparisons have been made to ‘Bazball’ though Pakistan’s dedication to the trigger shall be examined in opposition to an Australia staff nonetheless basking in final month’s memorable World Cup triumph.
A full-strength Australia will area 9 gamers a part of the World Cup-winning squad and welcome the return of frontline spinner Nathan Lyon from his calf damage that prematurely ended his Ashes marketing campaign.
While they begin sizzling favourites, Australia might be confronted with sluggishness after a taxing yr as they flip their consideration to Test cricket for the primary time for the reason that Ashes. Preparations for his or her gamers have assorted; some opted for relaxation whereas others performed a combination of the T20I collection in opposition to India, Sheffield Shield or BBL.
There is a widespread sentiment that this Test season, which additionally sees a return of West Indies, is low-key forward of blockbuster summers that includes India and England. But Australia is not going to solely be striving to burnish their legacy, however to additionally declare useful factors and ignite their title defence of the World Test Championship – which Pakistan at the moment leads.
The opener of the three-match collection shall be performed amid a rebranded Perth Test – dubbed the ‘West Test’. The 60,000-capacity Optus Stadium is internet hosting its fourth Test match, however locals have by no means fairly embraced Test cricket’s transfer from the well-known WACA floor.
An entertaining Test match – on a quick pitch resembling the traits of the WACA’s iconic floor – may simply show defining for a metropolis the place native followers have an uneasy relationship with the nationwide staff.
Form information
Australia LDLWW (final 5 accomplished matches, most up-to-date first)
PakistanWWDDL
In the highlight: Shaheen Shah Afridi and Nathan Lyon
Shaheen, who can ramp it up constantly round 145 kmph, has lately misplaced some zip and in consequence the swing has been barely much less threatening. If he can rediscover his prime tempo, whereas controlling the swing, then Shaheen ought to be a handful for Australia’s batters.
Team news: Pakistan choose debutant quicks in pace-heavy assault, Marsh over Green
Australia XI: 1 David Warner, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Pat Cummins (capt), 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood
Pakistan XI: 1 Abdullah Shafique, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Shan Masood (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), 7 Salman Ali Agha, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 10 Aamer Jamal, 11 Khurram Shahzad
Pitch and circumstances
The pitch was noticeably inexperienced on Tuesday with 10 millimetres of grass left on however head curator Isaac McDonald stated extra could be shaven off. After a sedate floor marked a bland match between Australia and West Indies final summer time, each effort has been made for a spicier pitch to assist market a fixture that has by no means fairly taken off since Tests moved to Optus Stadium.
McDonald has tipped a “hard, fast and bouncy” floor and he was assured it will not have notable cracks within the backend of the match. Warm climate round 30 levels is forecast all through the match, however circumstances shall be significantly milder than many earlier Perth Test matches performed in oppressive warmth.
Stats and trivia
- Pakistan’s final Test win in Australia was a 74-run victory on the SCG in December 1995. Their final Test in Perth was in December 2004 they usually misplaced all 5 matches performed on the WACA.
- Babar Azam will play his fiftieth Test match and wishes 228 runs to change into the twelfth Pakistan batter to succeed in 4000 runs.
- Australia have an ideal report at Optus Stadium having crushed India, New Zealand and West Indies within the three Tests performed on the floor.
- Travis Head is 96 away from scoring 3000 Test runs, whereas Marnus Labuschagne wants 211 for 4000 runs.
Quotes
“The way we like to go about it…especially in Australia…be really positive in our approach and it shapes as a good battle.”
Australia captain Pat Cummins.
“It’s the same group of players largely that played in Sri Lanka, so the philosophy of the guys is probably going to the same. It’s the perfect opportunity to try and play a decent brand of cricket.”
Pakistan captain Shan Masood
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist primarily based in Perth
Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com
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