What can we expect for the next Test? Will it be another hard-fought draw for the Australians?
Or will we see a more dominant batting display from the team which lost ten wickets for just 60 runs?
What changes will Trevor Hohns and his selectors make?
All in all entertainment is guaranteed in Australia’s fight for respect. Should this understrength side go on and win a series in the UAE, they will establish themselves as champion underdogs – joining the likes of Steven Bradbury, Kieran Perkins and Mark Edmondson in the record books as unexpected victories.
It may not be all sunshine and rainbows for the side nicknamed ‘the battlers’, although their effort to achieve a draw magnificent, they were on a highway, the pitch was flatter than a dropped can of coke.
To come up with such a poor display in the first innings with the bat was worrying. That’s especially considering the Abu Dhabi curators may opt to go with a slower, softer wicket which advantages the talented spin in the Pakistan side, especially Yasir Shah, who bowled on an unfriendly pitch for spinners in Dubai but still managed to pick up four for in the second innings.
Pakistan’s players appeal dismissal of Australia’s batsman Nathan Lyon (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
There are some big decisions for Justin Langer and co to make. They are tossing up with a quick, a spinner and a batsman. First, they must decide whether Mitch Starc will lead the pace attack, or whether he rests.
If they decide not to risk any further injuries to the left armer, will Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins be considered to fly over for this must-win game? Or will they hand a baggy green to Mike Neser or Brendan Doggett. Big one for the selectors that.
To improve the performance with the bat, should there be more depth or replacements in the top six? If you ask me it is both.
The selectors must decide if Jon Holland is the right man to take the orthodox responsibilities for this game or Ashton Agar.
Agar is the one to add depth to the batting, with a Test high score of 98 on debut. This option could pull them out of the hole they got in during the first innings, with Tim Paine, Starc, Pete Siddle and Nathan Lyon only contributing 23 runs in their horror collapse.
To take more weight off Usman Khawaja’s shoulders, there surely needs to be a change in the middle order.
Although it would be harsh on the debutant, Marnus Labuschagne is probably the man to don the orange vest.
He simply isn’t ready for Test cricket with an average of under 35 in the Shield with just 37 first class game under his belt. Matt Renshaw is on the tour – can he improve the middle order?
I certainly think so, despite the fact he has only batted once in the middle order for Australia, I think his career will be similar to the great Michael Hussey – starting as an opener and finding a home in the middle order.
Expect the unexpected for this decider in the UAE.
thecolumn
Roar Rookie
I still can't seem to find where I said it wasn't a good performance with the bat. Not sure what you are on about champ.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Whilst I highly doubt the Marsh brothers will be dropped I think the following is Australia’s best 11 in Asian conditions if Hazlewood and Cummins are not fit. Finch (Can’t drop him from that Debut) Usman (Vice Captain) Renshaw Maxwell Head (Holds his spot on the last match effort) Handscomb Paine (Captain) Agar (seems Okeefe won’t get a run) Starc Lyon Siddle. I’m dreaming I know.
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
All the analysis you did who should be in and who should be out,you did not touch the most important one.You did not say a single thing about a pair consist of a vice kapitan cum all rounder(!!) and a sub continent specialist(!!!). So we are gonna talk about others but not about these 2 God sent angel?
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Actually, you did. You totally dismissed the batting performance with the following statement- "Aus reached 370 without getting bowled out in the 4th innings. That was surely a road." Just because you don't remember it doesn't mean it didn't happen. It seems your memory is as poor as your understanding of batting on a deteriorating wicket. Still, well done for trying.
thecolumn
Roar Rookie
I don't remember suggesting that it wasn't a good performance with the bat in the fourth innings, maybe specsavers can help you out.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
We reached 370, 8 wickets down, because Khawaja played the innings of his career on a wicket doing plenty for the spinners, Head performed well and Paine closed the match out under plenty of pressure. To suggest otherwise is either ignorant or spiteful.
Brian
Guest
Lol at people thinking the Marshes are going to get dropped under any circumstances, especially with JL as coach. It's going to take serious injury or retirement for their stench to be gone from the once great Australian side. If the selectors were impartial they'd look at Mitch as a pure batsman and drop him. Calling his bowling average nowadays would be a glowing endorsement.
peter crisp
Guest
Bretto have to agree in the first innings our bowlers only made 23 runs between them, they're there for the their bowling but if we can get a few funs & if they can hold up & end I'm fine with that if not no big deal & in comparison we look @ the Marsh's a total of 19 runs S Marsh a pair or an orange
peter chrisp
Guest
With Ussie & Finchy doing a great job in the first test have to agree with James & with the final test tomorrow we can't rely on the top order every game but if we succeed that's a huge bonus now the big question is can either of the Marsh's make a difference? They are due for a score & now is the time?
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Pete Siddle, the master of vegetation, has confirmed it. They'll have to do some severe cutting but I suppose it will disappear the same way as many a mythical "Gabba Greentop".
thecolumn
Roar Rookie
Aus reached 370 without getting bowled out in the 4th innings. That was surely a road.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
Just maybe it is grass
George
Guest
The Marshes are tour match specialists.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Interesting, the Abu Dhabi pitch is green as grass.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
If not selected, Renshaw returns home for the shield game. That, at least, makes sense, although with the first test batting returns from Shaun, Mitch and Marnus, its hard not to find a spot for him, even without recent game time.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
As far as batting goes, just what promise did Marnus show? Little more than managing to get both pads on and not forget the bat when he walked to the crease. I like Labuschagne as a person and a player but that isn't the selection criteria for a top order batsman.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
It had little pace and bounce, but after the first two days, was hardly a road. Even early in the game the pitch was slow making driving the ball risky. The MCG last summer was a road!
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
7 test innings is too small a sample to use to validate an opinion. Look at first class batting numbers to get a real picture of Agar's prowess with the bat. Yes, his bowling may be better suited to UAE conditions and his fielding is superior to MM's, however there is no point removing someone batting too high at four and replacing them with someone batting too high at 6 or 7. Agar at six moves Head to 4 and Labuschagne to 5. Inexperienced and unproven in foreign conditions... not the best idea. MM had runs in the bank from the Ashes last summer (yes I know. everyone bar Bancroft did), but he also started the South African series with some runs, so love him or hate him, he stays for this test but has no more grace left to be shown to him. To make the change you suggest, we replace a batsman averaging 31 in FC with someone averaging 25, when our batting is the weakest it has been in 30 years?
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
They think his 98 on debut in 2013 is his regular output with the bat. He has a couple of shield centuries so he can handle the bat, but his domestic average of 25 is worse than Mitch Marsh so 8 at best, in my opinion. Its not much better than Starc's and I don't hear anybody suggesting we move Starc to 6 or 7.
thecolumn
Roar Rookie
Your eyes must be painted on. That was a road.