Australia are left with no option but to win the second and final Test against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi after having been pummelled in the opener. Join The Roar for live coverage of the first day of the second Test starting at 5:00 pm (AEDT).
With Australia’s worst fears coming true in the first Test vis-a-vis spin bowling, they will need to come up with something different in the second Test of this very condensed series.
Whether that difference is in the make-up of the side or it is in the way they approach the art of spin, remains to be seen.
In a rare move by the Australian selectors, they opted to make two late changes to the final XI in the hours leading up to play on Day 1, dropping Steve O’Keefe and Alex Doolan in place of Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc.
Steve O’Keefe was playing in his debut Test but he did not give the look of a bowler who could run through the opposition in what looked like favourable conditions for the spinners.
To be fair to him, even Nathan Lyon struggled but the off-spinner’s experience and reasonable performances in previous Tests should be enough to get him the nod ahead of O’Keefe.
The other concern for Australia has been the way in which they batted against slow bowling.
David Warner looked good against spin, Steven Smith improved as the match went on but there was little else by way of support.
Alex Doolan gave an impression he was a fish out of water, Michael Clarke looked rusty while Chris Rogers batted long but allowed spinners to dominate him easily. Brad Haddin and Mitchell Marsh also failed to get going with the bat.
Different batsmen will need to approach things differently, there cannot be one formula that fits all. For instance Marsh needs to shrug off any confusion he has whether to use bat alone or both bat and pad while playing spin.
Pakistan have no such worries but they will do well to not consider the series won already. One saw on the final day that the game went up to the penultimate hour before stumps and that was thanks to about four chances that Pakistan let go in the second session of play.
They may not make any changes to their side but will hope for more from Mohammad Hafeez at the top of the order. His bowling lacked a bit of bite as well, which could put bit of pressure on him from Taufeeq Umar, especially if Hafeez is still struggling with that foot injury of his.
Pakistan haven’t won a series against Australia in two decades and given the conditions and how their opposition went in the previous game, it could well represent a good chance of ending that wait.
The question is whether the side can show consistency in their batting as was on display in the first Test.
Join me for this opening day of the second Test between Pakistan and Australia on Thursday here and you can follow the live score of this game from 5:00pm (AEDT) and post your comments below.
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sohail shaikh
Guest
Its all over for Australia. They are going to lose this test match with a big margin.
Disco
Guest
Indeed.
saffir
Guest
A wicket like that shows the class of a Dale Steyn to consistently take wickets in those conditions.
Scuba
Guest
How do we go about it tomorrow? We have to hope, surely, that Pakistan want to win 2-0 - otherwise they can just grind us into the dirt...
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Australia are down and almost out of this contest. Yep, this was just the first day but if there was a start they really did not want, it was of this kind. Lose toss on a flat track and see the opponents garner aplenty. I am clutching at straws if I say they need to bowl Pakistan out for 400 first of all, try and level things off in the first innings and then trigger a Pakistani collapse in the second to hold any chances. That's it from me, will be back tomorrow for the second day's play. Have a good night.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Matt, I had written in my preview for this game couple of days ago, Pakistan will be looking to prepare such a pitch: http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/10/28/pakistan-v-australia-2nd-test-preview-australia-looking-turn-corner/ The question now is whether we see two really tall scores that makes the ICC look into it or whether it's really a matter of poor bowling from Australia. Australia have got nothing out of this pitch. No swing with the new ball, barely any swing from the old and nothing but the odd one turning for the spinners. I am not sure Pakistan's spinners will be as listless on days three and four.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Century for Younis Khan, century for Azhar Ali and that was after the openers had given them a good foundation. Australia grabbed two wickets before Pakistan got to 100 but since then, they haven't done anything with the ball to get any reward.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Two overs to go in the day's play but the umps have ended Australia's misery because of the light. That is the end of a day's play which has gone Pakistan's way by some margin. They end on 2/304 in 88 overs.
Matt
Guest
Do you think this game will end up being decided by the pitch? If it holds up it'll result in a draw unless someone collapses?
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Couple more for Azhar Ali with a push through the off-side now. Ticks away to 98... ...and he screams a "Yessss!" as he punches a length ball through the extra-cover region for a three to get Azhar to his century! Sixth Test century and first against Australia.
Nudge
Guest
Or maybe not
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
300 for Pakistan, 96 for Azhar and 200-run stand with a four through mid-wicket. Just a push off Marsh and it's gone all the way. 2/298 in the 88th
Nudge
Guest
Yep that is a pain when your on your phone
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four leg-byes and it's gone off the back of the batsman, ducking under it. That's refused to bounce up and Younis was looking to go under it... ...bit of an appeal for lbw but the umpire gives it not-out. 2/294 in 87
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Half-chance late in the session but it's been that kind of a day for Australia. Flicked off the middle of the bat and it's thudded into the pads of the short-leg fielder. Nowhere close to picking that up. Johnson has made Azhar Ali hop last couple of overs here. 2/290 in the 87th
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Must be coming on after Johnson. Perhaps Clarke thinks that end is better for left handed/swing bowling...
Scuba
Guest
Agreed - Ryano brings a hustle that the others don't. Superstar - albeit a fragile superstar...
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
As I said in an earlier comment, this is a featherbed. Not too many bowlers would have done a lot on this one, including the Asian bowlers. Still, Australia have rarely looked like picking up wickets, which is bit of a surprise - the slow bowlers have looked quite listless. Pakistan have been good to take advantage of this attack on this pitch.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Now Marsh on before Starc???
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A well-tested over from Johnson with just three coming from the last ball of it. Siddle's off too, and in comes Mitchell Marsh, ahead of Starc.