Skipper Michael Clarke says Australia’s 221-run loss to Pakistan wasn’t like India all over again.
Clarke says Australia have made key improvements since their disastrous 4-0 series defeat in India in 2013.
“As a team in general we’ve improved out of sight since that series,” Clarke said.
“Unfortunately the result is the same as what it was in India.”
The scoresheet of the first Test against Pakistan in Dubai tells a tale of poor batting against slow bowlers on a turning pitch.
Pakistan’s debutant leggie Yasir Shah and three-Test spinner Zulfiqar Babar took seven wickets each in the match, which ended an hour after tea on Sunday’s fifth day of play.
Set a world-record target of 438 to win, Australia made 216 in their second innings.
Resuming on 4-59, Australia appeared headed for an early swim in the pool under the Arabian desert sun, slumping to be 7-117 at lunch.
However Steve Smith (55) and tailender Mitchell Johnson (61) added 65 for the eighth wicket in gutsy performances.
Johnson’s stumping by the slimmest of margins, given out by TV umpire Nigel Llong, came at 9-213 and Peter Siddle was out three runs later.
Australia will head to Abu Dhabi for Thursday’s second and final Test of the series with an interest in seeing more video footage of their opponents.
No.3 Alex Doolan and No.4 Clarke contributed five runs each for the match.
Debutant left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe (4-219) and pace spearhead Johnson (3-73) were the only Australia bowlers to take more than two wickets in the match.
“We’ve got to keep trying to find a way to take wickets, keep looking at footage of Pakistan players,” Clarke said.
“I think we can know their players a little bit better.
“We probably didn’t have as much footage on a couple of the players as we would have liked because we hadn’t seen them play before.
“You’ve got to find a way to adjust and adapt once you’re out there.”
Clarke said he was very disappointed with the result which leaves Pakistan within sight of their first Test-series win over Australia since 1994.
“But I’m really impressed with the way Steve Smith and Mitchell Johnson in particular showed a lot of grit today,” Clarke said.
Clarke says the inconsistency of subcontinental wickets poses a challenge.
“You get natural variation off the wicket,” Clarke said.
“You bowl the exact same ball. One ball spins this far and the next ball skids on.
“The longer you bat, the more time you spend there, the easier it gets.”
Pakistan were forced to go to plan B for their spin attack after strike bowler Saeed Ajmal’s chucking ban.
“It’s difficult to rank this win but it is one of the finest victories, you can say, especially in Test cricket,” Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I thought it was exactly like India. Even better or worse depending on how you look at it.
twodogs
Guest
That was five OF the top order Perry, I'm including Haddin there. Doolan -shite, Clarke - shite, Marsh -shite, Smith -shite, 2nd dig runs way too late and Haddin -absolute shite. Warner's never been on my bashing radar.
Perry Bridge
Guest
5 top order batsmen being shite? Warner made a 133, and Warner and Rogers shared opening stands of 128 and 44, Rogers scored 38 and 43, was 1st out and 5th out, and the only batter to survive more the 100 balls in both innings (however - batting for around 2 3/4 hours for around 130 balls each innings he might be criticised for not kicking on - however - he has been a quality 4th innings centurian in the past and that was a major hope for Australia heading into day 5 here. He certainly put his head down to do it again. Doolan and Clarke certainly shite. Smith got a good start in the 2nd, but Smith, Marsh and through in Haddin all let the team down badly in the first in particular. Johnson had a good game.
LD151
Guest
Well said - pretty spot on. That is why SA are #1 and deservedly so. They're able to perform home and away in different conditions and not just in conditions that suit them.
twodogs
Guest
Easy recipe- five of the top order batsmen were shite. Of the bowlers, Lyon in particular was shite - nice looking bowling action but is bereft of tactical nouse. Maxwell must play at the expense of Lyon - at least he can make a higher score with his bat than his bowling figues. Geez, Lyon should've held the ball to the crowd for a double century match figures!
khuli07
Guest
Lol australians a hypocrites. Claiming that they don't play defensive cricket ,saying that its negative cricket but the truth is that iits not that they won't play to save a test. Its that they are pathetic at it. So stop criticising south africa for doing something that u can't do and claim that Australia are too gud 2do it