Aus "may not have it all their own way for the rest of the summer"

[Zainub]

Pace delivers fresh challenge
By former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson
November 28, 2004

As Australia power on against New Zealand in the second Test in Adelaide, thoughts turn to the next victim - but Ricky Ponting's world champions may not have it all their own way for the rest of the summer.Pakistan arrive in Perth on December 5 under the leadership of Inzamam-Ul-Haq and enjoying a relatively stable and consistent period for a country that is traditionally embroiled in politics and selection squabbles. After two Tests of gorging themselves on New Zealand's bowlers, Australia's batsmen will face a vastly different proposition against Pakistan and their genuinely quick bowlers in the three-Test series. Inzamam brings to Australia a squad with some very promising young players and some young unknown players - but two potential strike weapons. Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami, who both can bowl in the 150kmh range, will lead some inexperienced fast bowlers determined to fight fire with fire. Pakistan will be hoping that they can give as good as they get against the Australians and somehow head to Sydney with the series deadlocked. Then it will be game on in conditions more suited to the tourists' batsmen. If Pakistan get steamrolled in Perth and the youngsters lose faith, the home team may stroll away with the series. Sami and Shoaib will be key players because the Australian batsmen have not faced genuine pace for some time, so we should see the first real fireworks of the summer. Australian crowds have never quite seen Pakistan at their best, aside from the 1992 World Cup-winning side led by Imran Khan. The challenge for Inzamam will be to keep his young team going forward against an Australian team determined to impose themselves on the series because many touring teams - especially from the subcontinent - have been overwhelmed by the pace and bounce of Australian pitches. The appointment of the introspective Inzamam, a noted fine diner but less then disciplined trainer, was met with a deal of derision but he has proven responsible, productive and worthy of the leadership. Not only will there be a cutting edge to the pace attack, but Pakistan will have a new wicketkeeper, exciting high-order batsmen and the experienced Shahid Afridi to call upon.

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I just wanted to comment on the pace factor Geoff Lawson has talked about. I think he is right. Personally I feel our fast bowlers will relish bowling in Australia, on surfaces that will offer them consistent bounce and pace. Bowling at some of the best batsmen in the world will be a challenge they should look forward to. I also agree that it will be a key factor in formualting the outcome of the series, we have seen in the past that when Shoaib has bowled well, and really bowled well, he's won us matches, at times won us games even when the batting has let us down. Akhtar is the sort of bowler that thrives on self confidence, if he gets a wicket early on, then he's different bowler to face, much like all fast bowlers. If Australia can survive the new ball, and the old reverse swinging bowl, and avoid dramatic second innings collapses like the one in Colombo a couple or so years ago where Shoaib took 5 in no time and help dismissed Aus for less than 200, they should be safe, but if they let Shoaib get into any sort of rythm we should be in with a decent shout.

[vvvrulz]

I definately agree, Pakistan are one of the few teams right now who have the goods to trouble the Aussies. For once their line-up is looking consistant and balanced, and depending if Akhtar turns up to play or not, they can really trouble even the Australian batting line-up. I'm looking forward to that series.

[Beny]

Certinly, It's not going to be a walk in the park. I reakon that Pak are as good or better than England. A very good article in Inside Cricket this month talking to Woolmer. He says that all the talk about laziness is just that... Talk. He belives that these guys have the want and the talent to become a very powerfull force in cricket.

will relinquish bowling in Australia,

I take it you mean 'realish'. I think you might be asking for trouble if you think that Shoaib is going to do the job for you. I'm a big fan of sami and the other slower guy too. I think it will be your batsmen who win it and you definetly have some talent there.

I posted earlier that I did not think that Pak would be a challenge but I've changed my mind. Perhaps they can shock an Aussie unit who might let their guard down after NZ.

[Ernest]

I think it is going to be interesting, I am particular interested to see how the Australia bats, face up to Shoaib Akhtar, if he bowls fast and accurate.and makes the batsmen jump about a bit.


BTW with respect what is that avatar vvvrulz, it looks like a cyclops with a sore eye, not meaning to offend.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Beny

I take it you mean 'realish'. I think you might be asking for trouble if you think that Shoaib is going to do the job for you. I'm a big fan of sami and the other slower guy too. I think it will be your batsmen who win it and you definetly have some talent there

From my point of view Beny, how you play Shoaib, is bound to be of interest to me anyway off for a pint.and not taking sides, I want to se how the Pakistani batsmen play McGrath and co.interesting.

[Beny]

2 points.

1. This is in Aus on pitches with far more bounce than English strips.

2. Aktar is a hell of a lot faster than Harmison.

[vvvrulz]

It should make for a good contest, especially since it opens up at the WACA.

Answering your question Ernest, its actually a scorpion engulfed in flames, make of it what you will..

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Beny

Certinly, It's not going to be a walk in the park. I reakon that Pak are as good or better than England. A very good article in Inside Cricket this month talking to Woolmer. He says that all the talk about laziness is just that... Talk. He belives that these guys have the want and the talent to become a very powerfull force in cricket. I take it you mean 'realish'. I think you might be asking for trouble if you think that Shoaib is going to do the job for you. I'm a big fan of sami and the other slower guy too. I think it will be your batsmen who win it and you definetly have some talent there.
I posted earlier that I did not think that Pak would be a challenge but I've changed my mind. Perhaps they can shock an Aussie unit who might let their guard down after NZ.

You're right I did mean relish and most certainly not relinquish. I'm glad you've changed your opinion on Pakistan, it pleases me no end. I expect Shoaib to me the most likely to be our best bowler, but that doesn't mean I don't have faith in the others, I'm a big fan of Sami as well, ask Rachael, and I'd be more delighted than any one else if he can do well. The other slower guy you are talking about, I take it you're reffering to either Ahmed (who's injurried and will not play) or Razzaq (who is statistically a better test bowler than Sami), Razzaq I feel, is much more improved bowler now, and if he can be consistent with his length (I beleive he is more or less consistent with his line) than he can be a tricky customer to handle.

I don't know for sure if it will be our batsmen who'll win it for us, I tend to think our bowling is our biggest strength but I agree with in you in principal, we'll have to do respectably, and even better than that, either wise all the hardwork of the bowlers will go down the drain.

[Zainub]

Good point you raise about how our players will handle McGrath and co, I think it will all come down to patience, we have some inexperience at the top order, and these guys, Farhat especially has shown in the past that they can be a little compulsive in their stroke play, in the sense that they can be at times "thinked" out, if we can play out the new ball, and leave the good balls alonne, bogg down, and in Steve Waugh's terminology, look ugly but get stick it out, then our top order might well get us off to a good starts.From there on in we should do well. I'm confident we'll play Warnie better then we did last time.