Captain Tim Paine stamped his leadership on the Australian team and Usman Khawaja made a giant leap towards Test stardom yesterday as the tourists willed themselves to a rousing draw in the 1st Test against Pakistan.
Australia looked to be headed for a humiliating defeat when they lost 3-0 late on day four but were rescued yesterday by tenacious innings from Khawaja, Paine and debutant Travis Head.
Aside from being a wonderful result for a team which has been pilloried this year, this Test was also a landmark moment in the careers of Khawaja, Paine, Head and another first-gamer in Aaron Finch.
Leading a wounded and under-manned team in conditions which have so often undone Australian sides of the past, Paine’s keeping was flawless and his unbeaten 219-minute vigil was gutsy and inspiring.
If there were any doubts he is the man to guide Australia through this tumultuous era they evaporated yesterday.
Tim Paine of Australia (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Unlike his glovework in this Test, Paine’s knock of 61* was far from perfect. Truth be told, he looked like a dismissal waiting to occur for his first 30 minutes at the crease. But, like any fine leader, he maintained his composure under pressure, and backed himself and his colleagues to execute a task.
In doing so he cemented himself as the skipper of this cobbled-together Test unit.
Meanwhile, this match was a similar watershed moment for Khawaja. The 31-year-old banished lingering concerns about his ability to step up in the absence of Steve Smith and become not just Australia’s best batsman but also an all-conditions master, just like the banned former captain.
In crafting innings of 85 and 141, Khawaja produced a batting performance which ranks up there with any by an Australian in Asia in Test history.
What made it all the more remarkable is that, prior to this Test, he had scored just 117 runs from his nine Test innings in Asia.
For the first time on this continent, Khawaja batted as though he believed he could dominate.
His command of champion leg spinner Yasir Shah was so complete that the Pakistani star, one of the most exuberant cricketers in the world, looked deflated and bereft of ideas.
Khawaja’s job was made easier, for more than three hours, by the company of first-gamer Head. Just like Khawaja, Head arrived in the UAE with a reputation for being frail against spin.
Usman, you da man! (AFP, Saeed Khan)
That perception was strengthened during his ugly nine-ball duck in the first innings amid an extraordinary collapse by Australia.
Yesterday, however, Head batted with a level of skill, composure and maturity which many Australian fans did not believe he possessed.
The 24-year-old is commonly written off as a skittish batsman who has potential in limited overs cricket but lacks the technique and temperament to flourish in Tests. I must admit I had my own doubts as to whether he could adapt to the longest format at this early stage of his career.
Head’s raw talent is obvious but yesterday we got to see some of his more intangible qualities as a cricketer. Whether he can kick on and cement his place in the Test team we’ll just have to wait and watch.
I have no doubt, however, that if he can consistently channel the same focus and determination he displayed yesterday then Head has a great chance of becoming a fine Test cricketer.
The same can be said of Finch, yet another Australian who has more doubters than first-class runs. While he didn’t take the field yesterday, Australia were only in position to scrape for a draw due to his pair of patient knocks.
Finch spent 314 minutes at the crease over the course of this Test, grinding out 111 runs from 260 balls. He was circumspect against the quicks, nimble against the spinners, ran well between wickets and rotated the strike nicely, rather than relying on boundaries.
In limited overs cricket, Finch is startlingly aggressive. Here, on Test debut, he was reassuringly patient. It boded well for his future as a Test player, just as this Test provided cause for optimism about the direction of Australian cricket.
Jay Rodda Rams
Roar Rookie
Khawaja and Finch open in tests and One Dayers. These two look set for a big future at the top of the order. Good work boys
BarmyFarmer
Guest
What a joke Australian test cricket has become “Australia shine to achieve a draw against Pakistan”...wow.
jameswm
Roar Guru
If if if...
Raimond
Roar Guru
One of our better moments in Tests, anywhere.
Atgm Shags
Roar Rookie
He had zero impact in this Test
jameswm
Roar Guru
You don’t believe in 2nd chances?
jameswm
Roar Guru
Win the toss and we’re a chance
Rob
Guest
Simply staggering to think Mitch Marsh at 26 and averaging 26 is that good he is batting 4 and being made Vice Captain fielding on the boundary grassing catches. Lyon is surely a better more deserving candidate for VC.
Simoc
Guest
Smith has overwhelmingly proved he is not a fit person to captain Australia, ever again.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Couldn't agree more. Paine was as immense as Ussie in this match. He had such a hard job in terms of trying to stay focused on keeping and captaining the team at the same time. How he had the concentration to stick and not twist at the end is a wonder.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
If Tim Paine proves to be a good skipper (already he's far less emotional on the pitch than Smith) why would you demote him? Smith might have a struggle convincing anyone that he's the best man for the job now.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
If Usman keeps playing fine innings as opener, there would be no reason to move him surely? Squatter's rights and all that. Saying that, for heaven's sake, keep Mitch Marsh at 6. Whose idea was it that he is a 4? Sounded mad before the match started and nuttier now.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Neither of the Martyn knocks from India 2004 rate a mention?
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
It was hardly a soft dismissal in the circumstances regardless of how it looked. Paine was taking most of the strike and I'm sure that was because Usman was running on empty.
Rob
Guest
Firstly Pakistan set a good declaration. They new the pitch was still good enough to chase down 500 given enough time. Is Australia’s history better at chasing down a score (Hobart 1999) or fighting out a draw given 3 batsmen on debut? Check the opening partnerships and reflect on why Pakistan would go defensive early. Look i’ve had my 14 year old laughing at the Khawaja v S.Marsh luck theory you have presented. Hypothetical and hindsight are hard work. You’re digging from hear to China with a tea spoon with this one unfortunately. Finch’s current Test average v Marsh brothers combined? Finch got hit on the knee roll playing forward just on off stump a whisker off being out side the line Mitch got dropped (sitter)and technically had 3 opportunities to get a score. Holland got 3 wickets in the second innings and should have had a minimum of 5 for the match. Agar is a better defensive bowler great, but you want to bat first and play for wins?
George
Guest
As well as captaining for a long stint, Atherton opened the batting for a struggling team, had a chronic back problem and faced four w/o r ld-class Test attacks throughout his career (Aus, WI, SA and Pak). By no means a fair comparison. But yeah I think dubious sums up Mitch as a Test cricketer.
George
Guest
And probably would've if Sarfraz let Yasir review Head lbw.
George
Guest
He was immense on that tour, but had it easy till 2005 Ashes.
Rob
Guest
Matt H, how hard did you hit the sauce after that result last night? In all seriousness tho, one of the Marsh boys has to go for Renshaw. Both would be gone if Maxwell was on tour. Lyon gets given and half of us are in hospital with slit wrists. Without Khawaja’s brilliant innings and the support of Head, Paine and possibly Lyon we get beat ( hammered actually). It’s not good enough to hold your spot because others did your job. You me and most of the sane Cricket fan’s in Australia don’t want a player dropped for having bad day. You have kicking the Marsh boys because their selection in the team is wrong mate. My advice is stay strong on your views Matt. They were as justified yesterday as they are today. If Shaun or Mitch do something to change your views great. Don’t let the euphoria of the result cloud your views. They got selected many times before because of this. Personal Mitch (less than 30 average, drops catch, log in the field)is gone and Shaun bats at 5 because he’s probably due for a score now.
Rob
Guest
Warner is done. The team doesn’t need what he brings no matter how many runs he scores IMO.