Australia v Pakistan: tourists rally late on day one in Dubai
After Pakistan’s strong start the tourists have fought back with a good third session in sweltering conditions in Dubai.
Pakistan are 3-255 at stumps on day one of the first Test against Australia at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE. See how it all unfolded below.
Peter Lalor 12.19am: The view from Dubai at stumps
Three wickets in the last session was little reward but reward enough for an Australian attack that laboured hard in the hot sun on the first day of the Test against Pakistan in Dubai.
Pakistan and the conditions tortured the visitors who lost the toss but never lost heart.
At stumps the home side was 3-255 and the visitors at least knew they had hung on with the odds against them.
It is always going to be hard work with the air temperature touching 40 degrees and the ground temperature considerably higher.
There is a misconception that the wickets in the UAE are of the subcontinental variety, but these days those types break up from day one. The pitch at the Dubai International Stadium is a rock hard road that gives the bowlers nothing and the batsman every advantage.
Credit especially to Peter Siddle (1-23) and Mitchell Starc (0-66) who stuck to the task through the day. There was a period in the heat of the afternoon when the recalled Victorian looked as if he would blow a gasket, but he stuck to his task as the sessions slipped by and the Pakistan openers passed 200.
Starc’s trial came later.
The Australians started with just two slips, dropped back to one early and all but gave up on the idea by drinks.
Pakistan went to tea at 0-199.
Back in the Test team after two years, Mohammed Hafeez, 37, made the most of his second life and brought up the 10th century of his Test career before that second interval.
The ball, scuffed by the hard square, began to reverse after tea, but it was Nathan Lyon (1-63) who got the first wicket, the spinner inducing an edge from Imam-ul-Haq with the score on 205. The batsman had reached 76 — his highest Test score — but a maiden century beckoned.
Siddle, revived by the 20 minute interval, reversed a delivery into the pads of Hafeez on 126 and the umpire gave the batsman out. The video review suggested he had it right. Just.
There was a nice symmetry in a bowler out of the game for two years grabbing the wicket of a batsman who had also been gone that long.
Scoring slowed noticeably with two new batsmen at the crease and while Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail managed to hang on, the breakthrough eventually came.
Jon Holland (1-72), who had not been the pick of the bowlers on the day, induced a lazy shot from Azhar, Pakistan’s best batsman with only a handful of overs left.
Siddle was the most frugal of the bowlers, his 15 overs costing just 23 runs. Seven of them were maidens.
Starc, who was almost out on his feet, misjudged the skied ball but managed to launch forward from a kneeling position to hang on.
The big man then battled cramp to bowl out the final two overs. His patience and effort were not rewarded with a wicket, but the sight of three slips and a gully in place for the new batsman was some signal that he had conquered the conditions and not them him.
Australia took 3-56 from 29 overs in the last session.
Peter Lalor 12.15am: Intrigue surrounds cricket’s new era
Matthew Renshaw’s absence from the Australian side that took the field for the first Test of a new era is as intriguing as Glenn Maxwell’s absence from the squad.
The opener has somehow managed to cost himself what seemed like a guaranteed spot.
Australian cricket began its long and presumably difficult task of resurrecting itself in Dubai yesterday. Day one of the first Test since the South African series dawned under a crackling sun with intrigue around the men brought in to fill the gaps and what their future holds.
Adrian McMurray 12.13am: Day belongs to Pakistan
Jeez! Huge six from Sohail right down the ground. Those are the only runs off the last Holland over of the day, as Starc takes the last over. He finishes with a maiden, and that’s stumps, Australia rallying in the third session to collect three wickets. Pakistan 3-255 at stumps.
Adrian McMurray 12.05am: Starc in strife
BIG appeal for lbw off Abbas in Starc’s next over, but it runs away off the pad past fine leg for four leg byes. Starc goes to ground after his final delivery, but it looks as though it’s just cramp. Big workload for the quick today in the heat, that was his 20th over. Pakistan 3-249.
Adrian McMurray 11.59pm: Late wicket for Australia
There’s just five overs of the day remaining, but we get our first glimpse of Mitch Marsh with ball in hand! Five off his first, as Pakistan ease towards stumps. Holland resumes at the other end, and in his fifth of the over … Ali is OUT for 18! A miss-hit to mid-off finds Starc who dives through the air to take a great catch. The nightwatchman Mohammad Abbas is out there now, Pakistan 3-245.
Adrian McMurray 11.49pm: Tussle in the middle
Pakistan are now 2-234, two each from the last two overs. Starc collects his fourth maiden of the match as Holland replaces Lyon at the other end. Finally, Ali snares a boundary — it seems like an eternity since any meaningful runs were scored. Nice shot over mid on for four. Pakistan 2-238.
Adrian McMurray 11.33pm: No new ball?
Another Lyon maiden, before Sohail takes two off Starc. Nice fight back from Australia, just the two off the next Lyon over.
The new ball is due, but Fox Cricket’s Mike Hussey says he’d be surprised if Paine opted to take it today.
“This ball is soft, hard to score off … (they’ll be) hoping they’ll be able to get another wicket or two before stumps,” Hussey says.
Adrian McMurray 11.22pm: Runs dry up
Siddle resumes after drinks, another maiden. The new ball will be available in just four overs, with lights on at the ground. Don’t think we’ll be finishing early here though, it’s still pretty bright. Ali takes a single off the Lyon over, as Starc gives Siddle a well-deserved break at the other end. Ali collects another single but Sohail remains conservative, the run rate now at 2.90. Pakistan 2-226.
Adrian McMurray 11.05pm: Runs prove hard to come by
All of a sudden, runs are proving hard to come by! Pakistan finally move of 2-222 with a leg bye that almost clips the stumps, Sohail leaving it and Paine missing it. He gets a single the next over and that’s drinks, Pakistan 2-224.
Adrian McMurray 10.55pm: Chances coming for Australia
A couple of wickets, a couple of maidens … things are looking a bit more positive now for Australia. Lyon and Siddle collect one maiden each. Lyon back at the crease … big appeal for lbw off Ali! Australia send it upstairs, but it was missing off. Not out, and they’re down a review. Three balls later, another shout! This time Ali lobs it to short leg, it’s caught but the umpire says it was all pad. Another maiden, Pakistan still 2-222.
Adrian McMurray 10.41pm: Hafeez departs
Big shout off a Siddle delivery for lbw … and the umpire’s given it out! Hafeez opts for the review. It’s hit pad and it was just clipping leg stump. Phew! Hafeez departs for 126, an incredible return to the Test arena.
OUT! Hafeez's innings comes to an end. Out for 126. He's been trapped lbw by Peter Siddle. The review couldn't save him. It's umpires call on ball tracking. 2-222 https://t.co/2tazkW9FE8 #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/dkKfVMIP7F
— FOX SPORTS Cricket (@FoxCricket) October 7, 2018
Haris Sohail makes his way to the middle. No further runs from the over, Pakistan 2-222. Marvellous.
Adrian McMurray 10.36pm: Lyon the pick of the bowlers
Huge spell from Lyon today, and he’s produced another maiden — his seventh. Siddle is reintroduced at the other end, and there’s a BIG appeal on his first after it hit Hafeez’s front pad. Not given, but it is a leg bye despite a hint of an inside edge. A four a few balls later and Ali gets going, five off the over.
Lyon resumes at the other end, and according to Fox Cricket’s Brendon Julian he’s been “the pick of the bowlers” and I’m inclined to agree. Just one off the 69th over of the day, Pakistan 1-222.
Adrian McMurray 10.26pm: Improvement after wicket
Right then, Hazeef picks up where he left off with four off the first delivery of a Starc over. He collects another single, pulling one to square leg. Lyon backs up with a maiden, things looking slightly more positive for the tourists. Six off the next Starc over — including a no ball — and Pakistan are 1-216.
Adrian McMurray 10.11pm: Breakthrough for Australia
Lyon’s reintroduced, and on the last ball of his over … WICKET! There’s the breakthrough, Imam (76) the man sent to the stands. Nice and tight delivery from Lyon, and Imam cuts it into the waiting hands of the Australian skipper. Pakistan 1-205, and that brings Azhar Ali to the crease.
Adrian McMurray 10.05pm: Afternoon session begins
We’re underway in the third and final session of the day. A wicket? Something? Anything? Let’s see what they can do. Starc gets things going for the tourists, and the openers move past 200 off the first ball. They finish with five from that over, 0-204.
Adrian McMurray 9.56pm: 4K coming soon
A reminder: the first 4K cricket broadcast in Australia will be the ODI against South Africa on November 4, exclusive to Fox Sports.
Peter Lalor 9.45pm: The view from Dubai at Tea
Brought back into the side after two years in Test exile, Mohammad Hafeez celebrated with a century, bringing up the milestone in the second session.
Hafeez (113no) and Imam-ul-Haq (75) survived the second session to take the score to 0-199.
The century-maker offered one, difficult, chance when he drove Jon Holland over his head in the first hour after lunch but Mitch Marsh could not hold on to a high catch.
The Australians knew they had to be patient, but they never imagined it was going to be this demanding.
Hafeez, the 37-year-old opener was dropped two years ago and not happy with it. He got his chance in this match despite having gone to war with coach Mickey Arthur when axed the first time.
The all-rounder has had trouble with his bowling action reported and was recently left out of the Pakistan squad for the Asia Cup series.
So, his 172 ball century was something of a triumphant return. The batsmen celebrated with opening partner Imam-ul-Haq before falling to his knees in prayer.
The pair have had the bowling attack almost on its knees.
The bowlers deserved a break just for showing up. Peter Siddle looked so hot he would drop early after lunch, the Dubai heat at its absolute worse.
While it was not quite 40 degrees outside, it was a hell of a lot hotter than that in the stadium where what breeze there is off the gulf makes no impact.
Nathan Lyon has bowled 22 overs, Holland 15 and the two seamers 22 between them for no result.
Adrian McMurray 9.43pm: Pakistan making history in Dubai
Five dot balls off this last Holland over before Tea, and then Imam goes bang! He bounds down the wicket and slogs over deep mid-wicket for a beautiful six! He’s sitting on his highest Test total (75), while Hafeez is on 113.
According to Fox Cricket, this is Pakistan’s second highest opening partnership against Australia, the best coming in 1964. Fair effort! Pakistan 0-199 at Tea.
Adrian McMurray 9.39pm: Remarkable Hafeez innings
A fairly costly Starc over, but he’s not exactly bowling poorly. His last delivery is edged away for four, somewhat lucky for Hafeez. Holland resumes at the other end, just the single down to Mitch Marsh — who’s quite deep, perhaps remembering what happened earlier — at mid on. Again, Starc is being punished, but this isn’t a bad spell from the Aussie quick! Another Hafeez boundary, who well and truly has his eye in. Pakistan 0-193.
Meanwhile, many Australian supporters will be feeling a bit like this …
Waiting for a wicket like#PAKvAUS @FoxCricket pic.twitter.com/iYKoH7vhxx
— Nathan Brookes (@BrookesyNat) October 7, 2018
Adrian McMurray 9.23pm: Hafeez collects a ton
Holland and Lyon continue to toil, Holland’s 12th over of the day slightly costly (five runs). Starc returns for another spell, with the ball now a bit rougher than his last. Hafeez drives past third man for a boundary, and three balls later collects another in virtually the same manner. He moves to 97 and a century is calling. A single moves him to 98, and on the second ball of the Holland over he sneaks one past mid-wicket for the century! That’s his first against Australia, his 10th in Test cricket and his fourth in the UAE. What a story! Two more runs off the over and Pakistan are 0-178.
Mohammad Hafeez brings up a century after two years in exile. 10th of his career.
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) October 7, 2018
Brought up off 172 balls. He and opening partner Imam embraced, the batsman acknolwedged the applause and knelt to acknowledge his god on reaching milestone.
0-177 (56.4)
Adrian McMurray 9.05pm: Labuschagne’s pain
Hah, so much for keeping things tidy. Imam belts another boundary — that’s the 17th four of the day — after finding a gap past deep extra cover. Two off the next Holland over. Two into Lyon’s next … ouch! Labuschagne cops one at silly mid-off. He’ll be right, but that would’ve hurt! Just the single off that over and it’s Pakistan 0-157.
Adrian McMurray 8.55pm: Spinners stem the flow
Five off the Holland over, which ends with a cut shot to deep backward point, allows the openers to move to 150! Huge effort from the pair so far. Lyon doesn’t get much of a rest, he’s back at the other end for Labuschagne.
A maiden from Lyon, followed by another from Holland has steadied the run rate a little, Pakistan 0-150.
Pakistan move to 0-150 in the 48th over.
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) October 7, 2018
The Australians have not bowled badly, it’s just this pitch is a warm bath for a batsman.
Having said that, Hafeez 82no and Imam 57no have both batted well.
Not a bad story for the 37 yr old H on return.
Adrian McMurray 8.43pm: Hafeez living dangerously
Holland gives Lyon a rest, and on his fifth delivery, a real chance goes begging. Hafeez slogs it high down the wicket. Mitch Marsh is waiting at long off, he leaps and drops it! To compound the error it goes for four. A moment for Labuschagne as well the next over, Hafeez again living dangerously, but thankfully for the Pakistani opener his wild slice lands around deep cover with no one in sight. And that’s drinks in the afternoon session, Pakistan 0-145.
Adrian McMurray 8.35pm: Fifty for Imam
Imam with a nice shot through the covers for four, and he brings up 50 of his own the next ball, just squeezing in two runs for a half-century. Seven off that Lyon over and Paine reckons it’s time to roll the dice, introducing Marnus Labuschagne for the first time in his Test debut. Let’s see what the part-timer can do … Five off his first over. Not horrendous by any stretch, particularly in these conditions. Pakistan 0-136.
Adrian McMurray 8.26pm: Pakistan roll on
Pakistan collect another leg bye, this time off Imam’s front foot, before there’s a bit of a shout from Siddle for lbw! It’s waved away by the umpire. A few more singles and that’s five from the over, Pakistan 0-124.
Nice stat from the Fox Cricket team, with Hafeez third all-time for runs from a Pakistani opening batsmen with 3407. He’s behind Mudassir Nazar (3787) and Saeed Anwar (3957).
Adrian McMurray 8.22pm: Pressure building
A little tidier from Lyon, just the single to mid-wicket off his 16th over of the day. Siddle follows that up with a maiden, Lyon almost grabbing one of his own before Hafeez finds space at deep mid-wicket for a single. This is a nice little period for Australia, but they need to convert this pressure into a wicket. Pakistan 0-119.
Adrian McMurray 8.10pm: Runs roll for Pakistan
Siddle rejoins the fray, his first over after lunch. Unfortunate on the last ball, misfield from Paine means it’s four leg byes (but there’s a case for contact with the bat).
Hafeez goes nuts in the next over, belting two boundaries — first past backward point and then a pull shot past deep mid-wicket — to improve to 66. Imam takes a single off the next Siddle over, Pakistan now 0-117. Really positive play from Mickey Arthur’s men.
Adrian McMurray 7.59pm: Pakistan pass 100
Hafeez grabs another two off Starc, Pakistan up to 0-99. Off the next ball — the first of a Lyon over — Imam belts four down the wicket with a lovely lofted shot, Pakistan going past 100 in the process. They end the over 0-103.
Adrian McMurray 7.51pm: Hafeez’s half-century
Fifty for Hafeez! In his first Test back after two years, he drives to deep cover, nice work from the Australian in the field who saves four, and after a slight mix up brings up his first half-century against Australia!
He gets another boundary off Lyon the next over, sweeping through square leg. An impressive return, the pitch of course very much in Hafeez’s favour. Another single and he’s up to 55, Pakistan 0-97.
Meanwhile, it’s good to see security are all over things at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium …
Kudos to the only security guard ensuring the crowd doesn't get rowdy #PakvAus pic.twitter.com/wMgCrWcJjx
— Ray Morrow (@Morrow84Morrow) October 7, 2018
Adrian McMurray 7.42pm: Second session underway
We’re back underway in Dubai. Imam (36) and Hafeez (48) to resume in the middle, Starc to begin for Australia. Will he be the man to strike first? Pakistan 0-89.
Peter Lalor 7.05pm: The view from Dubai at lunch
The long and grinding road presented as a pitch at the Dubai International Stadium provided batting practice for batsmen and little joy for bowlers in the first session.
At lunch Pakistan was 0-89, Mohammed Hafeez 48 (92) and Imam-ul-Haq 36 (95).
Pakistan won the toss and made the most of it. Hafeez looked a little rusty early, as was to be expected after two years away from the game. Imam, nephew of Inzi, had a few moments too but the pair settled into their task.
Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc took the new ball, the former also out of the game for two years, but he was straight into his work, bowling a line as dry as the deck.
Nathan Lyon asked questions, but couldn’t get the answer he wanted. Jon Holland started nervously and the Pakistan batsman pounced, clearly nominating him as the one bowler in the Australian attack least likely.
Lyon, who became emotional when presenting the cap to Travis Head, is so much better a bowler than the one who took three wickets at an average of 140 on his last visit here. He bowls with more side spin, more guile and the confidence of a man who is among the best spinners in the world.
As for the crowd, well, it would be an exaggeration to call it that. Friends and family more than matched locals. Those born in Dubai have little interest in the game and the million-plus workers from the subcontinent have no spare time to attend
Adrian McMurray 7.03pm: Pakistan in control at lunch
Another maiden from Starc — his third of the morning. Perhaps the most noteworthy moment comes when they get the ball checked by the umpire, being very upfront with all those ball-related matters. No issues there. The Pakistan openers take three off Lyon’s final over before lunch, Hafeez to 48 and Imam on 36. And that’s lunch, Pakistan 0-89.
Fox Cricket’s Brett Lee doesn’t think it’s been all doom and gloom for the tourists.
“It’s been a pretty good session for the Australians … it’s just a tough wicket,” he says.
Adrian McMurray 6.54pm: Aussies need a breakthrough
Fox Cricket’s Mike Hussey says if Australia can get a breakthrough, things could change very quickly here.
“The Aussies just have to stay patient, bowl to their plans, and know things can turn quickly,” he says.
Starc with a very promising over. First signs of reverse swing on that deck as well, and while Hafeez gets four off the final ball, things are looking up for Starc and Australia.
Just the one run off Lyon’s next over, Pakistan 0-86.
Adrian McMurray 6.45pm: Starc rejoins the attack
Lyon stops the bleeding in the next over, conceding just the one run. Holland gets a rest, Starc rejoins the attack. Nice and tidy, that’s a maiden. Lyon’s still there at the other end, an inside edge past short leg leading to another single for Imam. Another inside edge and Hafeez grabs one of his own. Pakistan 0-79.
Adrian McMurray 6.34pm: Boundaries galore
The Pakistan openers manage four off Holland’s next over, and Hafeez gets another off the next Lyon over, up to 37. Some lovely footwork from Imam leads to another boundary, the 22-year-old dancing down the wicket for four. And he collects another — his fourth of the day — four balls later (that has to be some sort of record for the mentions of “four” in one blog post), a late cut past backward point. Pakistan 0-76.
Adrian McMurray 6.24pm: Tough going for Australia
Lyon won’t be happy with his effort, the only run of his next over a single after a misfield. Holland resumes at the other end, and on his second delivery … SIX! The first of the day, Imam with a monster shot over the boundary at mid-wicket. That’s also his first in a Test. Handy way to do it as well!
Fox Cricket’s Brendon Julian says these are perfect batting conditions. You bet they are.
Hafeez gets in on the fun on the first ball of Lyon’s next over, cutting past deep backward point for four. He collects another two and Pakistan are 0-62. Huge start.
Adrian McMurray 6.16pm: Better from Holland after drinks
Much better from Holland in his second over, Imam grabbing a single through point in the lone run of the over after drinks.
Lyon resumes at the other end, a slightly frustrating over for Imam who looks to belt one down the wicket only to be cut off easily. No runs there.
Some nice work in the field from Khawaja in Holland’s next over, who dives to save a few. Two off the over and Pakistan are 0-47.
Adrian McMurray 6.05pm: Pakistan rolling at drinks
Jon Holland marks his return to the Test side with a costly first over, leaking eight runs. Hafeez punishes Lyon’s first delivery off the next over, lovely timing for four past deep cover. The pair collect another single each and Pakistan are really getting going now. That’s drinks, Pakistan 0-44.
Adrian McMurray 5.56pm: Runs dry up for Pakistan
While there are plenty of fresh faces in this Australian side, it’s perhaps reassuring to have Siddle and Lyon operating at either end. They bowl a maiden each — that’s three in a row — and the runs have dried up a little bit for Pakistan. Imam lashes one on the last ball of a Lyon over, trying to get something going, but it’s taken at mid-off by Starc.
Hafeez resumes the scoring, collecting three off two Siddle deliveries through deep square leg. Those are the first runs for 24 balls! Another Lyon maiden and while Australia are yet to find a breakthrough, a wicket can’t be far away. Pakistan 0-30.
Adrian McMurray 5.42pm: Spin introduced early
Just the single off Siddle’s next over, and it’s time for the first change of the day at the other end, Lyon brought into the attack! Bold move from Paine to introduce ‘the G.O.A.T’ so early, but it’s a handy start from the spinner, two near chances back to the bowler but they don’t carry. That’s a maiden off his first, Pakistan 0-27.
Adrian McMurray 5.34pm: Solid start for Pakistan
Siddle mixes things up, and opts to go around the wicket instead. Imam hits his second boundary of the day through deep cover. Nervous moment for Hafeez the next ball, when Imam’s drive down the wicket flies off Siddle’s hands and into the stumps, with Hafeez creeping out of his crease.
Looks like Starc’s next over will be fairly promising, but with no one at point, Hafeez hits one square for a boundary. Pakistan 0-26.
Adrian McMurray 5.25pm: Starc’s costly over
Another maiden, this time off Siddle, the experienced fast bowler with a tidy over.
The same can’t be said for Starc’s next. Imam begins things with a single, two balls later Starc oversteps, no ball! Hafeez belts one on the half-volley for four, while the very next delivery a short ball bounces off his helmet and races away for another four runs. Pakistan 0-18.
Adrian McMurray 5.16pm: Pakistan get things going
Welcome back Peter Siddle! He takes the ball for the second over, and Pakistan get their first run of the innings, Hafeez edging to fine leg for a single. Imam steps up, big outside edge through the slips for the first boundary of the day! Easy to see what the plan is here, plenty of length in Siddle’s deliveries. Five off the over.
Starc resumes at the other end, Hafeez belts it to deep mid-wicket for three. A few balls later, Imam almost chops it onto his stumps, but he survives. No more runs in the over. Pakistan 0-8.
5.09pm: Support from a familiar face
Good luck lads. Will be watching every ball cheering on! @FoxCricket https://t.co/WrZFMuhVzd
— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) October 7, 2018
Adrian McMurray 5.04pm: First Test underway
Here we go! Hafeez, making a comeback of his own, and Imam ul-Haq to begin for Pakistan. Starc kicks things off for Australia. Tidy first over from the Aussie paceman, his last ball a particularly handy delivery, nice and full. A maiden to begin! Pakistan 0-0.
4.57pm: We’re moments away!
The two teams shake hands and we're all set for the series to begin! 🤠#PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/vBiSC7R36M
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 7, 2018
4.51pm: AB on hand to present baggy green to Finch
The legendary Allan Border presents @AaronFinch5 with his Baggy Green 👠#PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/Kfqff4SB1O
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 7, 2018
And Nathan Lyon presents Travis Head with a baggy green of his own.
.@travishead34 has his brand new Baggy Green presented to him by the ðŸ Nathan Lyon #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/pMATlMOgwd
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 7, 2018
Adrian McMurray 4.37pm: Pakistan win toss
The ‘hosts’ have won the toss and will bat first. Final teams are in, with Lyon moving above Holland in the Australian order, while Wahab Riaz takes the spot in Pakistan’s final XI over Mir Hamza.
Pakistan XI: Mohammad Hafeez, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Abbas #PAKvAUS
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 7, 2018
Australia XI: Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland #PAKvAUS
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 7, 2018
Adrian McMurray 4.30pm: Flag confusion
Uh oh … our man in Dubai, Peter Lalor, has spotted an unfortunate error at the ground.
International incident unfolding at Dubai cricket ground. They are flying NEW ZEALAND flags not AUSTRALIAN ones. (Does that mean we get Jacinta?) pic.twitter.com/HABtm2VFKa
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) October 7, 2018
Peter Lalor 4.00pm: First Test starts in Dubai heat
Australian cricket’s attempts to reboot after the cheating scandal in South Africa starts in the crackling heat of the Dubai desert later today.
Three men in exile. Smith, Warner, Bancroft. Three men set to get their first caps: Aaron Finch, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne — a cricketer whose life began in the backblocks of the country where Australia fell apart earlier this year.
Justin Langer has replaced Darren Lehmann.
A tentativeness has replaced the bullying ways of those that came before them.
They will begin with a handshake. Tim Paine, who replaced Steve Smith, pulled aside Pakistan captain Safraz Ahmed at the trophy presentation yesterday and asked if it would be okay if they started the match with that gesture.
That approach had an endearing quality. One schoolboy asking another if it was all right if they could be friends.
“Why not?” Sarfraz said.
There was something schoolyard about the Australian side’s behaviour before its fall, but it was a less pleasant slice of that life.
Australia has a hard task of it. It’s best have won just three of 24 Tests in dry places in the past decade.
Its batsmen have a collective 14 centuries between them. Pakistan’s have 37.
Warner and Smith had 43 between them and take an average of 200 runs a Test into exile with them.
Labuschagne, 24, a descendant of the Boer Voortrekkers, has an average of 34 from 38 first class matches. He is an emerging cricketer whose character adds value to his emerging talent.
Travis Head, 24, the youngest ever captain of South Australia, has a first class average of 36 but carries with him a sense that he is ready to take the next step.
Opener Matthew Renshaw did not make the cut, apparently through lack of recent match practice, so Australia will open with Finch and Usman Khawaja. Finch attempting to prove himself a Test player after 96 ODIs and Khawaja attempting to prove he can play cricket in conditions like these.
Mitchell Marsh will bat at four below his brother Shaun.
Peter Siddle, veteran of 62 Tests, returns after two years in exile. Reinventing himself as a nippy, wobbling seamer he had a brilliant winter on the county circuit in England where he took 37 wickets at 17 for Essex. How that translates to conditions that are the polar opposite remains to be seen.
Paine has counselled patience, something that was in short supply when Clarke’s side was whipped 2-0 here last time.
Mitchell Starc, the only other seamer in the side, said before the match he thought he got it wrong when given his chance in that series. Too attacking, he thinks.
Dry lines will be the order of the day on a dry pitch that won’t break up until late.
A roughed up square courtesy the Asia Cup suggests reverse will come into play without any tricks.
Pakistan is as ever anyone’s guess. Mohammed Amir, the boy who promised to be one of the world’s greatest bowlers before the spot fixing scandal interrupted his career, has been dropped after a long, dry spell.
Pakistan figures it is best to let him regenerate before a series in South Africa in conditions that will suit him more.
Mohammed Hafeez, 37, returns after a few years in exile too. He mouthed off on the way out but hopefully brings the good sense that 50 Tests at the top order for your country is supposed to provide.
Pakistan wanted to play two leg spinners but Shadab Khan is a few days short of return from injury. The other leggie, Yasir Shah, who took 12 wickets at 17 in the last series against Australia here in 2104, will be partnered by off spinner Bilal Asif.
Australia: 1 Aaron Finch, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Mitchell Marsh, 5 Travis Head, 6 Marnus Labuschagne, 7 Tim Paine, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Jon Holland, 11 Nathan Lyon
Pakistan: 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3, Azhar Ali, 4 Babar Azam, 5 Asad Shafiq, 6 Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), 7 Haris Sohail 8 Yasir Shah, 9 Bilal Asif, 10 Wahab Riaz or Mir Hamza, 11 Mohammad Abbas
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