Australia’s Ricky Ponting (left) and Brad Haddin (right) celebrate a wicket at the WACA ground in Perth, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009. (AAP Image/Tony McDonough)
Ricky Ponting’s Australia should not take Pakistan lightly in the second Test in Sydney after winning comfortably in Melbourne on Wednesday. History suggests that Pakistan bounce back on the SCG after being mauled by Australia in a previous Test.
In January 1976, Australia under Greg Chappell had thrashed Pakistan by 348 runs in Melbourne. But, in the next Test in Sydney, the visitors won by 8 wickets – thanks to an amazing 12 wicket haul by Imran Khan.
We witnessed a similar turnaround in 1995-96; Mark Taylor’s Aussies beating Pakistan by 155 runs in Hobart in November 1995 but losing by 74 runs in the next Test in Sydney.
Let me revisit the 1976 Sydney Test that I witnessed from the Pakistani dressing room. Before the toss was coined, the visitors were furious. They were seething with rage reading a column written by Dennis Lillee in The Sun. Among other things he (or his ghost) had written: “The Pakis are not in the street as us in cricketing abilities.”
Paradoxically, it was the Australian team which lost its ‘street directory’ as they faced quickies Imran and Sarfraz Nawaz on a rampage. The match belonged to Pakistan from the first over when Sarfraz dismissed Alan Turner for a duck.
Within 65 minutes, Australians were 4-38. Imran was magnificent as he captured six scalps and the home team was dismissed for 211.
With Asif Iqbal hitting a century and debutant Haroon Rashid 57, Pakistan led by 149 runs. Australia collapsed again to be dismissed for 180, Man of the Match Imran again taking six wickets to finish with 12-165. And Pakistan won, their first Test victory in Australia.
“We have been outplayed”, conceded skipper Greg Chappell.
Test great Bill O’Reilly (27 Tests from1931-1945) was more hard-hitting. He wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald, “Australia’s humiliating crash will be a bitter medicine but I believe it must have tremendous therapeutic effects. If there is one thing Australian cricket has sadly lacked in recent years, it is humility.”
He was referring to Lillee’s boast that the Pakistanis were not in the same class as the Aussies.
Let’s fast forward to 1995. The series was won 2-0 by Australia after huge victories in Brisbane and Hobart Tests and they apparently relaxed in the final Test in Sydney.
Despite Mark Waugh’s elegant 116, the home team trailed by 42 runs mainly due to Wasim Akram’s pace and swing and Mushtaq Ahmed leg-spin.
Set 247 to win, Australia was spun out for 172 and lost.
So here’s a lesson for the Australians in the Test starting on Sunday. Never take Pakistan lightly. They are awful one day, awesome the next – especially when playing on the SCG turf.
Roger Rational
Guest
You might only have to wait until 2010/11 to see Ponting lose the Ashes thrice, Rhys.
Justin
Guest
While I agree that Aus should have bowled Mark Taylor said he would have batted and that was before the toss. That pitch was as green as you will see and with the overcast conditions I was staggered anjone could not bowl. There is still a long way to go in this test and if Aus could bowl Pak twice in Melb for 250 then they can skittles them twice here no problem.
Rhys
Guest
Ponting's stubbornly stupid decision to bat first on a seething green top further illustrated his misplaced confidence, nay arrogant belief, in his still developing team, and flawed ability as a both a strategist and captain. Pakistan utilised the conditions splendidly, and were well captained by Mohammed Yousuf, an experienced cricketer, but a man with one fraction of the captaincy experience of Ponting - yet seemingly twice the common sense. If Australia manage to avoid losing this game, it will be a miracle, but sadly will do the team no favours going forward, as it will wrongly reinforce the misplaced notion that Ponting is somehow a decent captain. On one level I think Michael Clarke's ascension to the captaincy can't come soon enough, but I can't help but contain a desire to see Ponting captain Australia to the Ashes series in 2013 - just to see his captaincy epitaph be cast in stone as the only man to lose three times to England on their home soil.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Kersi, You nailed it. Absolutely nailed it.
Brian
Guest
Not good to see that Aamer is out of the game, a big blow for Pakistan. An attack of Asif, Aamer, Kaniera & Ajmal could have been very goos on the SCG its a shame it will not happen. Another thing they lack is experience. Many players take a long time to find their feet at test match cricket and Pakistan have played very few tests against quality opposition recently. Even now if they had guaranteed cricket and a year to blood U Akmal, Iqbal, Aamer, Ajmal etc they could make a good side but it will not happen.
Glenn Condell
Guest
Well said, brought back memories, some not all that pleasant! Geoff Lawson has a good piece in the SMH today about his stint as Pak coach. He makes it clear how nice everyone was to him, the religion and the culture emphasising good manners and respect for elders. He contrasts the scene here rather pointedly. Pity we'll probably assist in bombing the bejesus out of them shortly.
amused
Guest
the boxing day test was a fantastic competition by both sides without the on-field action that marred the west indies series. hats off to the Pakistani selectors and side for discovering another new competitor in Mohammad Aamer. I just hope to see a little better fielding from the Pakistani side come tomorrow if they dont bat first. And as a member of the SCG for the last 17 years I will undoubtedly be doing the paddington shuffle tomorrow early morning for a good seat. Pakistan is always great to see play.
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
Kersi...Pakistan is lacking aggressive leadership. Yousuf is a batsman of the highest pedigree but is a passive leader. You cannot change his nature. He is not combative enough,say like a Vettori or Dhoni or Ponting. Even Gayle for all his laidback cool is combative. You cannot go in against any Aussie side without this combativeness. Of the present squad Kamran Akmal would be my choice as Captain. Shahid Afridi is in Australia and should be drafted in and he showed a few days ago on a dead wicket he has the skill to take wickets. I would play him instead of Ajmal,who was outbowled by Hauritz. Australia will not be unduly worried by Kaneria. Pakistan's biggest problem is their inability to bat for long periods. Yousuf himself lamented this week that Pakistan Cricket is suffering from a surfeit of Twenty20. Test Cricket is a different mindset and deficiency of technique is quickly exposed. Mental fraility also is a factor and this affects fielding and catching. Both Watson and Katich were reprieved early on. So in my view fielding and leadership are the two main factors holding Pakistan back. I cannot see them competing with Australia over five days. They may win the odd half hour here and there but they cannot sustain this over extended periods. And there will be no place to hide at the SCG.