Pakistan v Australia in the UAE: Test Series

[mikesiva]

Marsh the Younger out for 162.

[andy]

You know the bowling attack is weak when Asad Shafiq bowls 33 overs!

[yuppie]

Not that this practice match is a fair way to judge if a player is doing well, but Travis has put his hand up for selection.

[andy]

The feeling i got from reports etc were, that he and Finch were likely to debut in the 1st test..

[yuppie]

That's the view i have been reading as well.

Finch finally gets a test.

[bigfluffylemon]

Net session.

[yuppie]

Against bowlers who wont be anything like what you will be facing

[bigfluffylemon]

Against bowlers who wont be anything like what you will be facing

Yup.

Lyon's 8-fer in the first innings and the extensive use of part-time spinners by Pakistan indicates that the pitch has nothing in it for the quicks, no doubt on purpose.

[mikesiva]

Shafiq 69
Abid Ali 52

Holland 5-79

[Arthur Crabtree]

So the Test side is the one that played in this? Or they play one seamer (Starc) and bring in Agar?

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think I'd go for the latter.

[bigfluffylemon]

Finch and Head surely will debut. Not sure about Labuschagne - they might opt for Renshaw instead.

Neser is probably vulnerable to being swapped out for either Agar if they want the extra spinner, or Siddle for pace - he didn't bowl much, and medium pace doesn't achieve anything in the UAE (although Siddle's almost a medium these days anyway).

I'd go

Finch
Renshaw
Khawaja
S Marsh
Head
M Marsh
Paine
Agar
Starc
Holland
Lyon

Geez, writing that down - that is not a side to inspire confidence.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pakistan in decline though. Still, hard to win in UAE.

[andy]

Renshaw still a doubt with concussion

[Arthur Crabtree]

Aussie team for the first Test.

Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Tim Paine (capt), Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland.

Mitch3 at four? Siddle is back. Labuschagne and Head make debuts. And Finch.