Australia v Pakistan ‘09 Series Preview.
Coming off an unconvincing series win against the West Indies, I’m glad to see the Australian team having a bit of time together on the field. While their batting held up ok, for the most part, their bowling, as predicted, was a little questionable. Here’s the line up for the 3 tests (in my opinion anyway);
SR Watson
SM Katich
RT Ponting
MEK Hussey
MJ Clarke
MJ North
BJ Haddin
MG Johnson
NM Hauritz
PM Siddle
DE Bollinger
12th – PJ Hughes
If Ponting is injured, Hughes will open with Katich and Watson will go down to number 6. That’s how it should be, but alas I’m not the manager of the team.
Hauritz continues to do a commendable job as the spinner of the team. While he’s not picking up huge hauls of wickets, he’s bowling tight, not giving away too many runs, picking up the odd wicket, and most importantly, adding some much needed variety to the team. Bollinger did well in his two tests and is worth keeping him on, especially at the SCG.
Siddle has one test to take wickets, otherwise I can see his spot under a bit more of a question mark.
The batsmen, as mentioned before, are looking settled although desperate for somebody to hit a century in the series.
Pakistan came of a drawn ‘home’ series against New Zealand in New Zealand (you didn’t know it was their second home did you?). I really don’t have much of a clue regarding the team, so a lot of this is going to be guess work.
Imran Farhat
Salman Butt
Faisal Iqbal
Mohammad Yousuf
Umar Akmal
Misbah-ul-Haq
Kamran Akmal
Mohammad Aamer
Umar Gul
Mohammad Asif
Danish Kaneria
The Pakistani batsmen were good against New Zealand (when Bond wasn’t there) and always seem to provide a formidable force against Australia. The two Akmal’s and Farhat are in particularly good form and will test the Australian bowling attack.
Their bowling isn’t looking half bad either. Danish Kaneria is a favourite of mine and I’ve always been a little mystified as to why he has never taken more wickets or played more games for Pakistan (not that Pakistan even play much cricket these days). His leggie’s are going to provide a real nightmare for the Aussies, especially at the SCG.
Mohammad Asif is a quality paceman and the Aussies will have to be cautious with him early on.
So my predications; Australia to win 2-1. It’s not difficult to see Pakistan bowling Australia out, especially on a 4th or 5th day SCG track. Australia’s batting is solid though and that should carry them through the series. If Ponting isn’t in the team, it could open the gates for a flood of run from Hughes, something we all want to see.
Top Australian batsman: Michael Clarke
Top Australian bowler: Mitchell Johnson
Top Pakistani batsman: Imran Farhat
Top Pakistani bowler: Danish Kaneria
My picks were shocking for the West Indies series, so I’m going a little more conservative with Clarke and Johnson, both proven performers in Australia.
My Pakistani selections go on nothing more than form and track record.
I think if the Aussies can walk away with the series win, at any score, they’ll be happy. As the Kiwi’s found out Pakistan are still their unpredictable selves.
24/12/2009 - Thursday 9:52 am 
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