A day after Usman Khawaja took a swipe at a Pakistan go-slow, Australia’s batsmen have been accused of the same thing.
Pundits potted Australia’s lack of acceleration and no declaration as they amassed 8-505 by stumps on Day 2 of the second Test in Karachi.
Pakistan had copped similar criticism in their first innings of the drawn series-opener in Rawalpindi.
“Pakistan were in the same position last game but they just didn’t do it, they didn’t really take any opportunity to increase their run rate,” Khawaja said after Karachi’s opening day.
But Australia’s Alex Carey, who fell seven runs short of his maiden Test ton in Karachi, said it’s easier said than done, adding a declaration on Sunday was never in Australia’s plans.
“The captain basically said to the batters to ‘get your head around batting all day, unless the message comes otherwise’,” Carey said.
“It’s not the easiest wicket to score quickly on. It is starting to be a little bit variable, inconsistent, there was reverse swing at times.
“The more runs we can get in this first innings, obviously it sets us up at the back-end … the game will move quicker going into the back-end of tomorrow, Day 4 and Day 5.”
(Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images for 2022 T20 World Cup )
Carey’s knock of 93 from 159 balls was the free-flowing outlier for the Australians. His highest Test score, combined with Khawaja’s 160 (369 balls) and Steve Smith’s 72 (214 balls), have put Australia in a no-lose position.
But can Australia’s bowlers take 20 Pakistani wickets in three days to deliver the nation a first win in nine Tests in Karachi?
Carey believes so.
“The beauty of having Mitchell Starc in our side, 145 clicks (kilometres per hour) with reverse swing is going to be difficult,” he said.
“Pat Cummins is the same and also Greeny (Cameron Green), so we have got some weapons there when the ball starts to reverse swing to hopefully utilise that.
“And then just super excited to see the two spinners.
“We know Nath (Nathan Lyon) hits a beautiful area regularly … and Mitchell Swepson, there is enough there from the end he is going to bowl at, there’s enough footmarks, there’s enough variability, there’s some cracks opening.
“We know it’s going to be difficult to take 20 opportunities but I think the game will speed up as well.”
Carey admitted disappointment at just missing his first Test century – he was bowled three overs before stumps attempting an aggressive sweep off part-time spinner Babar Azam.
“So close – unfortunately it’s the way it goes,” he said.
“I thought I was pretty disciplined and patient throughout the day.
“I saw an opportunity to hit one over cow (corner) late in the day, a pretty big gap out there.
“I will probably hit the pillow and have a few other shots go through my head but that is the beauty of this game – if you’re slightly off, you’ll lose your wicket at the highest level.”
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
What an underhand thing to do by a Chappell
Phillip
Roar Rookie
Had thought after the Aussie's first batting session we had an actual Test match... by the end of the day we had an excuse to over inflate the batsmen's overall runs records. I guess all roads now lead to Pakistan, including all their pitches.
Clear as mud
Guest
sook? mirror?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Abdul Qadir and Lawsons was the subsequent tour late 1982.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Plenty happening in that series. Qadir got about 11 or 12 wickets in the win. Ray Bright's big day out. The mighty Graeme Beard got a test 50. Taslim Arif 210* was the first wicketkeeper to score a double. I think it was that series also where Geoff Lawson managed 7 or 9 wickets which everyone agreed was impossible on those surfaces for a fast bowler. Could have also been the series where a bemused Dennis Lillee got 1 of 350 or something.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Pakistan had won the first test and i forget why but the first day of the 2nd test was entirely lost. The Australians wanted to play on the rest day but the Pakistan players refused. Greg ordered his team to bat for all 4 days. They only managed 2 and a half and made 617, Greg 235. Then Pakistan made 2 for 382 and Greg gave everyone a bowl including Rod Marsh.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Ha. I can’t remember anything like that. Going to have to look it up and do some reading. Chappell would be a sort of character to give that sort of thing a go, a two fingered salute to whom ever. ‘You guys set a crazy pitch last time, playing to your strengths. Well cop this!!!’ Lol. That could be an article there. Pick your ‘up yours’ team to bat five days. Lol. The opposition thinking ‘hang on’ as soon as team announced with no recognised bowlers. Lol
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Greg Chappell actually tried to do that in Faisalabad in early 1980.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
The build up his exciting can’t wait for Humpty Dumpty to rip thru the Pakistan batsman :laughing:
Gee
Roar Rookie
I see Carey has drunk the Starc cool aid as well. Do they honestly think he is a left arm version of Steyn or do they have to build up the sook to get him to perform? The only great bowler in this team is Cummins and no amount of crud talk will make his 3 NSW mates greats.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
‘…Australia’s batsmen have been accused of the same thing…’ accused by who? Lol
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
That would be crazy. Lol
Marty
Roar Rookie
Time will tell but on the face of it looks to be a somewhat puzzling decision. Can’t help but wonder whether having someone who had actually played a bit of cricket in Pakistan to offer advice may have been beneficial? Oh well, apparently that’s not required by this group, they’ve got it all under control.
Igor Oligarchov
Guest
Australia should bat for 5 days to make a point to Pakistan to STOP preparing road pitches. Only by doing this will they learn.
Tempo
Roar Rookie
Honestly, I thought Pakistan’s error in the first match was not to push on to a really big (600+) score in the first innings. That would have put Australia under a lot of pressure just to avoid the follow-on. The pitch was probably still too flat at Rawalpindi to produce a result, but the best chance would have been for Australia to collapse under scoreboard pressure like they have so often in Asia in the past. This pitch is playing differently to Rawalpindi, if the wicket continues to deteriorate then Australia will probably be able to create 20 chances over 2.5 days. Will have to bowl and field well but there’s a good chance of a result. Building scoreboard pressure and forcing Pakistan into a (more) defensive mindset helps that aim.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Terrific effort with the bat, let's see how he goes keeping up to the stumps to 2 spinners on a pitch with variable bounce and batsmen in their home conditions. Any chance created must be taken, despite all the gloom merchants on here this game has a long way to go, should still be intriguing. :cricket: