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What can Australia do to reverse the loss in Dubai?

Michael Clarke's willingness to switch things up in attack has Australia on top. (AFP PHOTO/William WEST)
Expert
26th October, 2014
104

What a thrashing Australia received at the hands of Pakistan in the first Test at Dubai yesterday.

Winning and losing is part of the game but to be smashed by 221 runs is embarrassing for a team ranked among the top two in Test cricket.

Well, the thrashing was actually by eight wickets and 221 runs, as Pakistan had declared their second innings closed at two for 286.

Apart from the first 20 minutes of this Test when Australia removed Pakistani openers in the first innings for seven runs, and at stumps on the second day when David Warner and Chris Rogers gave Australia a flying start, Pakistan dominated all other sessions.

Pakistanis not only scored four centuries (including two by man of the match Younis Khan), their spinners Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah (on debut) pulverised a majority of Australian batsmen.

Warner was a notable exception as he scored an aggressive 133 in the first innings. Also Steven Smith and Mitchell Johnson showed some resistance on the final day. But apart from them, the others collapsed in a heap, skipper Michael Clarke included.

Why such tame surrender? No one can blame the pitch as Pakistan had amassed 454 and declared for 286 on the same pitch. To lose four wickets for five runs to topple from a promising 0/44 to 4/49 was a disgrace; a complete lack of footwork against accurate spinners on a high.

The Australian bowling lacked fire. Their spinners Nathan Lyon and debutant Steve O’Keefe bowled well but the Pakistan batsmen used their feet to counter their spin.

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So what’s the next step for the demoralised Australians? First, let us hear what losing captain Clarke said at the presentation ceremony.

“No doubt Pakistan deserves a lot of credit. Beat us in all three facets. Batsmen batted us out, spinners had us in trouble,” he said.

“We have a couple of days to turn it around. We want to use our bat a little more. We knew spin would play a lot, but a lot of us got out to balls that didn’t spin. So we want to get into the right positions [when we’re batting against spin].

“Smith and Johnson fought as hard as they could. Again, Pakistan deserves credit. Younis showed how to play spin and reverse swing. Any time you make 400 to 450, that helps the bowlers put pressure on the opposition.

“Our bowlers had to work hard on a flat wicket on day one. We can turn it around, definitely. We’ve got the talent, the attitude and I’m sure you will see a different team in the next Test.”

Brave words, I say. But realistic? In three days?

After their lack-lustre performance in the Dubai Test, should Alex Doolan and debutant Mitchell Marsh be retained for the second Test starting at Abu Dhabi on Thursday? If not, who?

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Perhaps fast bowler Mitchell Starc should replace Nathan Lyon and dashing all-rounder James Faulkner be considered ahead of Mitchell Marsh. But this is a short-term solution.

In view of Australia’s consistently disappointing performances against Indian and Pakistani spinners overseas, should Cricket Australia import experienced groundsmen from India and Pakistan to prepare a spinner-friendly practice pitch in Australia?

Looks far-fetched? Let the debate begin!

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