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Australia’s fitness key to winning the Abu Dhabi Test

Roar Guru
30th October, 2014
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After copping a huge drubbing in the first Test, and now with their backs against the wall after Day 1 of the current match in Abu Dhabi, there is still one really positive outlook for the Australian Team.

They are the fittest international side in world cricket.

Australia began to lead the way as a fielding nation under Steve Waugh, and as a direct result they are now also leading the way when it comes to general fitness. That has also been helped along through investment in strength and conditioning programs.

AUSTRALIA VS PAKISTAN: FULL SCOREBOARD

It is this edge which may be the lynch pin if they are to clinch the second Test.

You can cast your eye over the side and see a lean team who spend a lot of time making sure they are at their peak physically. Test cricket is a gruelling sport, and you need to be as physically strong as you are mentally. That is the edge Australia have in this contest.

Conversely, sub-continental sides aren’t as renowned for their fitness. The Pakistan side does not break this stereotype. Their ground fielding is not as fluent, and they rely a lot on their spinners to bowl the bulk of their overs to allow their seamers to rest.

They also sport an ageing side, with four of their players being 34 or older.

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There was only a four-day turnaround between Tests. That’s an incredibly short time to back-up for another five-day contest, even in perfect conditions. But the conditions in the UAE are among the most cruel and unforgiving in which cricketers compete.

The key here is for Australia to occupy the crease for a long period of time during their first innings if they are to take advantage of this edge. They can work the ball around, and force this less fit, ageing side to run around the pitch.

This will mean they need to focus on batting out a decent kit of overs, something they haven’t managed in similar conditions in some time. Simple, yes?

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