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My Aussie Test squad for Pakistan tour

13th April, 2014
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The Brisbane Heat were carried through the season on the back of Chris Lynn. (Image: Ten Play)
Expert
13th April, 2014
118
2463 Reads

Glenn Maxwell, Stephen O’Keefe, Sam Whiteman and Chris Lynn should be included in Australia’s Test squad for the away series against Pakistan in October.

The two-Test battle against the unpredictable Pakistanis is a major stepping stone – or roadblock, depending on your point of view – in Australia’s quest to regain the No. 1 Test ranking.

The Aussies have generated huge momentum by vapourising England 5-0 in the Ashes before stunning the top-ranked South Africans on their home soil. But all that could be undone if they falter against Pakistan in the UAE.

It is expected they will play on the slow, dry, crumbling decks that have seen Australia flounder in recent years. Twelve months ago they were handed an almighty 4-0 caning in India in similar conditions.

England then offered up uncharacteristically parched pitches in the Ashes, successfully capitalising on this glaring Australian weakness.

Australia have not encountered Pakistan in a Test series in almost four years. That contest, played in England in July 2010, saw the Aussies record a comfortable win at Lord’s before Pakistan earned a tight victory at Headingley.

On that occasion it was Pakistan’s quicks who troubled the Aussie batsmen in seaming conditions on offer. Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif combined for 22 wickets at an average of 23 with their incisive blend of movement through the air and off the deck. Both have since been banned from cricket for spot-fixing.

This time Pakistan’s slow bowlers will present the challenge to the Aussie stroke-makers.

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In India, the Australian batsmen proved clueless against Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who together reaped an astounding 53 wickets at 19 over the four Tests.

That is not to suggest Pakistan are reliant on Saeed Ajmal. In Junaid Khan and the towering Mohammad Irfan, they have a potent new-ball pairing capable of scything through Australia’s top order. If they allow Ajmal early access to the Australian middle order, the tourists will be in deep trouble.

One man who deserves the opportunity to blunt Pakistan’s quicks is Alex Doolan. The Tasmanian was presented with the toughest possible introduction to Test cricket, debuting against the world’s No. 1 side and pace attack in South Africa.

While he failed to capitalise on several starts, he consistently looked solid in defence and unhurried by Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.

The choice of the reserve specialist batsman for this tour is not a rudimentary one. Phil Hughes, Tom Cooper, Peter Forrest, Cameron White and Ryan Carters all had claims for a spot in the squad, but Chris Lynn remains the most ready-made young batsman outside the Test XI.

With Australia possessing an ageing line-up in which four of its top seven are 33 or older this year, the 23-year-old Queenslander is a pick for the future. Lynn’s first-class record of 1869 runs at 45 is highly impressive, as was his return of 752 runs at 68 in the longest form of the game this summer.

Lynn is also a capable player of slow bowling thanks to his quick feet and positive intent.

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Depending on the pitch conditions, reliable quick Peter Siddle should then vie with left-arm tweaker Stephen O’Keefe for the final bowling spot in the starting XI. O’Keefe had a phenomenal Shield campaign and his consistent brilliance in the State competition can no longer be ignored.

Glenn Maxwell is in my squad as the backup all-rounder in case of an injury to the fragile Shane Watson. Moises Henriques and James Faulkner are both unlucky to miss out, but Maxwell’s bowling is better suited to conditions in the UAE. He also remains a more accomplished batsman.

The final spot goes to perhaps the best 21-year-old cricketer in the country, Sam Whiteman.

The WA keeper had a standout Shield season, with 687 runs at 46 for the Warriors. Given Brad Haddin turns 37 this year and is unlikely to play for more than another 12 to 18 months, Australia should prepare for this important transition by exposing Whiteman to a Test tour.

My team and squad for the tour against Pakistan:

1. David Warner
2. Chris Rogers
3. Alex Doolan
4. Michael Clarke
5. Steve Smith
6. Shane Watson
7. Brad Haddin
8. Mitchell Johnson
9. Stephen O’Keefe
10. James Pattinson
11. Nathan Lyon

RESERVES:
1. Chris Lynn
2. Peter Siddle
3. Glenn Maxwell
4. Sam Whiteman

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