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An overnight transformation in the Abu Dhabi pitch is likely to deter Australia from radical change in the second Test against Pakistan but Tim Paine is keeping his cards close to his chest on the eve of the series-decider.
Paine was yet to inspect the wicket when he addressed media on Monday but it was already clear that the grass-covered deck had received a significant haircut in the 24 hours following Australia’s main training session.
The Australian skipper had caused a stir when he said it was possible a third quick – either Michael Neser or fellow uncapped Queenslander Brendan Doggett – could be deployed to get the most out of the then-green deck.
“I did see it from a distance and it doesn”t look like it’s changed a great deal,” Paine said ahead of Monday’s light training run.
“I’m not sure how hard it is. I imagine underneath it would still be really hard.
“Our team trains this afternoon so we’ll have a closer look at it then.”
The pitches typically produced in Abu Dhabi are known for being even flatter than in Dubai. The last time the two sides played a Test at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in 2014, Pakistan set Australia a target of 603 on the way to a crushing victory.
Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed said he expected the pitch would play similarly to the docile deck that played host to a draw in the first Test in Dubai.
“At the moment it looks like there could be a little bit of moisture on the pitch but almost a full day is still remaining,” Sarfraz told reporters.
“If you see tomorrow, the pitch looks like a different pitch.
“It looks like a similar pitch (to) Dubai.”
The hosts will make at least one change with Fakhar Zaman set to replace injured opener Imam-ul-Haq.
Left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz has been dropped and will be replaced by either legspinner Shadab Khan or back-up quick Mir Hamza.
Australia look likely to tweak their batting order after the Marsh brothers both fell cheaply in Dubai.
Shaun and Mitch Marsh batted at No.3 and No.4 respectively in Dubai, both making second-innings ducks and combining for just 19 runs overall.
Travis Head would be a strong chance to leapfrog Mitch Marsh in the order after scoring a superb second-innings 72 on debut.
Australia have not won a Test series in Asia since 2011 but Paine said his players would back themselves after the valiant fightback in Dubai.
“You can have the greatest plans in the world but, until you get out in the middle in a Test match under that sort of pressure, you never know,” he said.
“For guys to actually go out and do it … we’ll clearly as a team take a fair bit of momentum out of it.”
Paine said he expected reverse swing to play a lesser role in Abu Dhabi after Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas wreaked havoc on a docile deck in Dubai.
Starc’s workload has been carefully monitored ahead of a big summer but Paine confirmed the left-armer was in no doubt for Abu Dhabi.
“He’s in really good condition,” Paine said.
“It’s not a perfect world that he bowled 40-odd overs in those conditions (in Dubai) but he’s playing a Test match for his country and he loves doing it.”
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