Opinion
As we all are aware, the Australian men’s Test cricket team hasn’t been very successful in the subcontinent.
The foreign nature of where they are about to play has always put them to the test and caused them to struggle in the longer formats of the game.
The last time Australia played against Pakistan away from home was in the UAE back in 2018, when they lost 1-0 from two matches. One match ended in a draw.
The Aussies have been using a lot of different initiatives and strategies to give them the best chance at preparing for the first Test.
They have tried to replicate the type of pitches that they are going to face up there.
On most occasions, the pitches are very bowler-friendly, especially in the spin bowlers’ favour, offering the perfect amount of bounce and spin, making batsmen think twice about what type of shot to play.
I am expecting to see Nathan Lyon be a key candidate in the Aussies’ bowling attack and also with Mitchell Swepson as the back-up.
(Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Since 2018 the Aussie team has returned mainly to full strength after an obvious struggle with selection after the horror ball-tampering scandal back in March 2018.
At the time, that caused the Aussies’ two best batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner to face a 12-month ban, missing out on all the matches that were scheduled for the rest of 2018 and pushing into 2019.
With this loss, it left the batting top order to be weakened, which would have mounted constant pressure on the team staff and the newly appointed coach at the time Justin Langer.
Moving through to now, the squad is looking for a good performance after a very convincing victory over England during the summer.
That followed a very nice return to form by batsmen Travis Head and Usman Khawaja.
The batting order at this moment is looking very strong, with a lot of depth and convincing talent nearly all the way through, from David Warner at one to Alex Carey at seven.
With a strong and positive mindset, the Aussies can put up a good fight.
But I do not underestimate the Pakistanis one bit, with a strong batting attack led by main batter Babar Azam, and the left-handed bowling machine Shaheen Afridi, who has been in amazing form as of late.
The contest between the Aussie openers Marcus Harris and Warner both being left-handed will prove to be an exciting match-up against Shaheen, who I would be expecting to target those batsmen early.
I am very excited for this upcoming Test series starting on March 4. Both teams are coming off good form.
My only speculation is the fact that Pakistan hasn’t played a Test match since late August 2021, but their players do look in fine form.
This opening Test match should be a promising and eventful beginning to an exciting series.
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