“There is a way to have a think about this differently, to give us a better chance of winning”.
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Azhar was 139 not out with tail-ender Mohammad Amir on 28 as a rain-shower cut short another frustrating day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Australian skipper Steve Smith. But right at the moment, the selectors have gone the way they’ve gone. Australia quickly returned to the crease, openers Dave Warner and Matt Renshaw desperate to get off to a good start, but the going was slow in the opening overs as they notched just 12 runs from the opening seven overs.
NSW left-arm finger spinner Steve O’Keefe is likely to again partner Smith at the SCG, but leg-spinner Adam Zampa, West Australian all-rounder Ashton Agar and Victorian Jon Holland have their supporters ahead of the Indian tour. “I guess we’re just looking for Nathan to be a little bit more consistent in the way he bowls”.
Australia have had a strong focus on finding a world-class all-rounder since Englishman Andrew Flintoff’s heroics in the 2005 Ashes series. Callum Ferguson made 3 and 1 in the Hobart Test against South Africa before being unceremoniously dumped, and his successor, Nic Maddinson, is likewise yet to reach double figures in a Test innings.
Of the quick bowlers Smith said: “They have done some bowling”.
Azhar is 175 not out, with Pakistan 368-7 in their first innings on day three.
“Obviously the rain hasn’t helped us”.
“I think that little strength and conditioning block for him has been fantastic. It’s going to be about summing it up and seeing where they’re at come the end of this Test match”.
A spokesperson of Cricket Australia confirmed that Azhar was put through a test by Australian team doctor and was cleared of concussion.
Lyon’s seeming inability to take wickets on home soil raises far too many questions about his suitability to the role both at home and overseas than many would like.
“I am glad they have given Maddinson three Tests and, if he doesn’t make a any runs in this one, they may make a change”.
Australia chose to rest Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc for their one-day worldwide tour of South Africa in October and ended up losing the series 5-0.
Starc’s pace has been good in Melbourne – he has touched 150km/h – but he is wicketless and appears to have lost the late in-swinging delivery which has tormented many a batsman.
Lyon, Australia’s most successful off-spinner with 220 wickets, has taken just nine wickets at 66 runs this season. Despite being his 19th Test as captain, it is hard to stereotype Smith’s leadership; he doesn’t have a perception yet.
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“We will be able to generate that bounce and carry that we couldn’t do for long periods of time with the pink ball”.
