Pakistan medium-pacer Mohammad Abbas exposes glaring technical deficiencies in Australia’s batsmen
ONE of the many truly humbling parts of Australia’s desert mauling by Pakistan is that it was inflicted by the type of cricketer our nation traditionally scorns - the crafty medium pacer.
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ONE of the many truly humbling parts of Australia’s desert mauling by Pakistan is that it was inflicted by the type of cricketer our nation traditionally scorns - the crafty medium pacer.
Over the decades Australia has regarded picking a medium pace bowler much like drinking mineral water at a beer and prawn night.
It undermines our tough guy image.
Yet there he was, the former leather factory worker Mohammad Abbas, with his zippy 130km/h offerings as accurate as a sniper’s bullet, spearing through Australia as if he was Wasim Akram - even though he was more than 15km/h slower.
Abbass’ progress is a worry for the Australian selectors because he exposed glaring technical deficiences.
And there was not a hint of luck about anything he did.
Before this Test he had taken 384 first class wickets at a cost of 20 apiece - that’s exceptional anywhere but, on the flat decks of Pakistan, downright amazing.
Australia would have almost preferred to have been spun out by Yasir Shah - as they were last time they visited the UAE - so they could write it off as a typical dose of Asian horrors on dusty, turning decks and be comforted by the fact they would see nothing like them in Australia.
But the incredibly skilful Abbas picked them apart as though he was pulling the wings off a fly and pacemen from around the globe will be relishing the chance to take them down again.
Shaun Marsh, keen to feel bat on ball early, poked at his Abbas’ best balls.
Mitchell Marsh was overwhelmed by his subtle swing and seam.
Australia’s top order needs another overhaul and Matt Renshaw is Winx odds to return for the Adelaide Test against India.
The Marsh brothers, who attract criticism like a large tree attracts a lightning bolt, are in everyone’s sights and they will be shattered to have played so poorly when so much was expected of them as senior players.
As men and players they are an interesting case study.
Mitchell is as much an extrovert as Shaun is an introvert.
They have completely different batting styles but the one common feature of their game is how nervous they get before they bat.
Watching them bat in the UAE was like watching Chatauqua in the barriers - you just sense they were never going to make a decent start.
The futures of both men are now under an ever-darkening shadow.
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Originally published as Pakistan medium-pacer Mohammad Abbas exposes glaring technical deficiencies in Australia’s batsmen