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“Australia’s attack is rubbish, they can now only lose this Test”. That is a summation of some of the downcast assessments which were floating around during the second session of the first Test against Pakistan in Dubai.
On cricket forums, social media and even among some Roarers there was exaggerated criticism and pessimism in regards to Australia’s performance as they laboured in the field.
This ignored two things about Pakistan. Firstly, that they had batted exceedingly well and with a degree of patience and circumspection alien to their typical cavalier approach with the willow.
Secondly, that they are a mercurial side, prone to falling apart after making strong starts to Tests, and are fielding an incredibly green attack with a combined 10 Tests of experience.
History indicates that Pakistan are well and truly capable of squandering positions of ascendancy. In August, Pakistan lost by seven wickets to Sri Lanka despite batting first and making 451 at Colombo.
And that loss came when Pakistan were fielding a full-strength attack, including their now-banned superstar spinner Saeed Ajmal and their most potent quick Junaid Khan.
Last night their most threatening bowler was opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez, who has averaged less than one wicket a match across his 37 Test career. Australia’s openers, David Warner most specifically, placed this raw attack under constant pressure in the last session as they cantered to an unbroken stand of 113.
It was the fifth century partnership in 21 innings for Warner and Chris Rogers, who have become a perfectly-balanced opening combination for Australia. The rollicking pace at which Warner and many of his batting colleagues score could keep Australia in this contest.
Should the Aussies bat until the end of today’s play, they may well have erased Pakistan’s lead. From there, with two days to play, the match would be wide open. However, the dedication displayed by Pakistan’s batsmen suggests the side may not be in the mood to capitulate as they have so often in the past.
Pakistan produced one of their best and most mature Test batting performances in many years. Acknowledging that Australia’s pacemen posed the greatest threat, they batted within themselves against Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle.
The second facet of this strategy was to target Australia’s spinners Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe. Neither Lyon nor O’Keefe bowled horribly, even if their combined figures of 4-255 suggest otherwise.
The Aussie slow bowlers were accurate and gifted Pakistan few rank deliveries. But they were never allowed to settle into a comfortable rhythm by the Pakistan batsmen, who used the sweep shot and nimble footwork to force them to adjust their lengths constantly.
Australia were hindered by two dropped catches which cost them 111 runs. Rogers turfed a chance at point from Azhar Ali on Day 1 which cost them 31 runs. Yesterday, short leg specialist Alex Doolan missed a sharp but catchable offering from Asad Shafiq, who went on to make 89.
If they are to produce an unlikely win from this position, Australia will have to grasp every opportunity that comes their way during the remainder of this Test.
That includes exploiting Pakistan’s bowling unit and attacking their debutants to allow them no time to settle into Test cricket.
This Test looks poised for a fascinating conclusion.