Pakistan tour of Oz, Dec 8-Jan 26

[alfie]

Not sure the stuff Head bowls would be much use in Test Matches in India. Not bad for limited overs in Australia though - probably more so than Maxwell's.

Whether Maxwell can be taken seriously as a Test bowler is another matter. Have my doubts on that score too... But if he were to play in India I fancy he'd be very much the "spare" bowler ; mainly there to lengthen the batting.

Pakistan really did fizzle out there , didn't they ? Thought they were on for 300.

[yuppie]

Australia's death bowling was very good, but Pakistan will feel hugely disappointment by that total.

Handscomb has the chance to become the new Bailey.

Smith's 50

And who ever bats at 6 for Aus in India will have to bowl a fair few overs i reckon. Just to give the other bowlers a rest.

[alfie]

Australia's death bowling was very good, but Pakistan will feel hugely disappointment by that total.

Handscomb has the chance to become the new Bailey.

Smith's 50

And who ever bats at 6 for Aus in India will have to bowl a fair few overs i reckon. Just to give the other bowlers a rest.

Agreed ! Which is where I think they have a problem : I doubt Maxwell quite "fits" as second spinner ; and if they play Lyon and O'Keefe , will they not need a third seam option ?

I can see them making the same mistakes as England and never quite picking a suitable bowling combination for the conditions. (And of course I'm not suggesting such a combination actually exists !)

Pakistan must be getting sick of the sight of Smith and Handscomb ...

[yuppie]

It is a surprise that Handscomb got pick for 50 over game. But with the summer hes had probably worth the chance. And now has a 50 to his name, another 50 for the summer.

Australia just does not have a player to bat at 6 and bowl a suitable number of overs in India. But who does?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Having a 2+2 attack is ok in India, as long as you can keep your spinners on for decent spells.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Handscom goes, but Smith will see Australia home. Read on cricinfo that he's the third player to average 60+ after 50 Tests- Bradman, Hobbs and Sutcliffe are the others.

[andy]

Handscombe is a run machine in all formats! Think he will be a mainstay in all aussie sides for years to come

[The Professor]

Handscom goes, but Smith will see Australia home. Read on cricinfo that he's the third player to average 60+ after 50 Tests- Bradman, Hobbs and Sutcliffe are the others.

Smith really is on fire atm.

[rich1uk]

Australia win the toss and bat

Zampa and Starc in for Faulkner and Stanlake

Azhar Ali back as captain for pakistan, only change

[meninblue]

Australia Team
DA Warner, UT Khawaja, SPD Smith*, TM Head, PSP Handscomb, GJ Maxwell, MS Wade†, MA Starc, PJ Cummins, A Zampa, JR Hazlewood


Pakistan Team
Azhar Ali*, Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Rizwan†, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan

[rich1uk]

khawaja needs to get warner on strike here as warner looks in the mood today

[meninblue]

Warner has raced off to 27 runs in 13 balls.

[rich1uk]

50 for warner from just 35 balls

if pakistan dont get him soon game could be over

[Arthur Crabtree]

Warner could get in the current England team.

He's that good.

[rich1uk]

Warner could get in the current England team.

He's that good.

we could maybe slot him in at #7 if he replaced Moeen and bowled a few overs too