MELBOURNE: Steve Smith was a relieved captain as his Australia team fell over the line after the last five Pakistan wickets piled on 230 runs to get within sight of a world-record Test run chase.
Steve Smith was a relieved captain as his Australia team fell over the line after the last five Pakistan wickets piled on 230 runs to get within sight of a world-record Test run chase.
The gruelling 145-over fourth innings has taken its toll on the Australian bowlers with selectors adding bowling all-rounder Hilton Cartwright to the squad as a precaution while their recovery is assessed.
The tourists’ batting coach, Grant Flower, said the Australians can expect another hard slog on an abrasive drop-in Melbourne Cricket Ground wicket in expected sweltering conditions as Pakistan fight to level the three-match series.
“The confidence they have gained since that last innings and that momentum will definitely help carry them on into this Test,” former Zimbabwean Test batsman Flower said. Australia dominated the first day-night Brisbane Test up until late on the fourth day, when signs of anxiety crept in as Pakistan edged closer to a miraculous victory before Shafiq was dismissed.
Pakistan have lost their last 10 Tests in Australia and last won at the MCG in 1981 in the era of Imran Khan, Javed Miandad and Zaheer Abbas.
The Australians are confident crack pace pair Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will back up to bowl at the showpiece event despite each sending down 56 overs in the Brisbane heat with just a week’s recuperation.
Teams:
Australia: Matt Renshaw, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Hilton Cartwright, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.
Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan.
