Australia Tour of Pakistan, 2022: Preview - Australia

Cricket | Test | Australia Tour of Pakistan, 2022 | Australia | Pakistan | Preview

It's been 24 years since an Australian cricket team last toured Pakistan. It was quite the tour for them, winning their first series in the country since 1959. With both the teams coming off recent series wins, we can expect some fierce action and thrilling drama as the teams walk out on the fourth of March. Let us see how the Australians are shaping up for this one.

Australia's new (and old) opening pair

David Warner and Usman Khawaja, a partnership that goes way back, 28 years to be precise. Not long ago was Khawaja looked upon as a middle-order batsman. There came the fourth Ashes Test and he stunned the world with a century on comeback. Then he did it again, both times batting at number five. He was pretty much undroppable after that, but so was Travis Head who he had replaced in the first place. So come Hobart, Australia left out Marcus Harris to accomodate both Khawaja and Head, the former opening with Warner. Khawaja managed a total of 17 runs in that match. Warner himself had a decent series with 273 runs at 34.12. Come Pakistan 2022, both the longtime buddies will be raring to enter the cricket field, considering that they have had a good time against this particular opposition in the past. Also, at 35 years of age each, both of them would want to show the world that they've still got it in them. It isn't as if Australia have too many options at the top, so they would want their experienced duo to give them good starts for as long as possible.

The spin attack

It's surprising that Australia haven't given more chances to Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson, considering how important this tour is for their World Test Championship campaign. Agar last played a Test match back in September, 2017 while Swepson is yet to make his Test cricket debut. That would mean Nathan Lyon has to do the bulk of the job along with the pacers. What may not work in his favour is his high average against the opposition (47.18). They certainly have variety in their spin bowling attack but lack experience beyond Lyon.

The allrounder(s)

The Kangaroos have got three decent all-rounders in their squad but how many of them will play depends upon how they want their playing XI to look like. Although still new into his cricket career, Cameron Green looks like a certain starter, with impressive performances in the Ashes - 228 runs @32.57 and 13 wickets @15.76. He's only into his second series but has showed some real potential. Now that leaves us with the pace bowling allrounder Mitchell Marsh and Agar, who bowls left-arm orthodox. The best attack seems to be Pat Cummins, one out of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, Lyon, and Agar and Green as the all-rounders - a good combination of pace and spin. Going forward, Swepson could replace Agar for a more attacking option. It is hard to imagine Australia playing three spinners, considering that they already have three spin options in their top five - Marnus Labushagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head. Meanwhile, Marsh is a good backup in case a middle-order slot opens up due to injury or other issues.

Ideal XI

1. David Warner
2. Usman Khawaja
3. Marnus Labushagne
4. Steve Smith
5. Travis Head
6. Cameron Green
7. Alex Carey(wk)
8. Ashton Agar
9. Pat Cummins(c)
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Mitchell Starc/Josh Hazlewood

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