Stuart MacGill has questioned Australia’s game plan in the United Arab Emirates as the deficiencies in Asian conditions continue to be highlighted.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Australia was hurtling towards a heavy loss to Pakistan in the second test early on Friday’s fifth day while MacGill was in Dubbo, playing for a SCG XI in a charity Twenty20 match at No. 1 Oval.
Prior to that game the former Test leg-spinner had spoken about the current side and it’s performances in the UAE.
Only a brilliant Usman Khawaja century and some gritty batting from captain Tim Paine saved the side from defeat in the first test while there was struggles with both bat and ball in the second.
“I’m a big, big fan of everyone in the squad but I don’t think the game plan has been exactly right,” he said, focusing on the bowling performance.
“It’s all about wickets and winning and I don’t know if everyone has been kicking in the same … that puts a lot of pressure on the spin bowlers.”
MacGill, who 208 wickets in 44 tests, said so much emphasis has been put on strike rate and over rate, the hunt for wickets seems to sometime be forgotten.
“That is only important if you’re taking wickets at the other end,” he said.
“This (second) test we started to get it right and Nathan (Lyon) has been great.”
He also had plenty of praise for Marnus Labuschagne, who many expected to be only a part-time option with the ball.
Instead, the man who made his debut in the first test took five wickets across both innings’ with his leg spin in the second test.
“He’s certainly not played the part I thought he would,” MacGill said.
“I thought he would be a part-timer but he’s been doing the business, I thought Travis Head would do the bulk of the work but Marnus has been unbelievable and his best balls have been world class.”
While pleased with the spinners, MacGill said the difference between the two sides in the UAE has been the pace bowling.
Australian spearhead Mitchell Strac has battled a hamstring in the second test while Peter Siddle took just three wickets in the series.
Pakistan quick Mohammed Abbas took more than that in the first innings of the second test alone, ripping through the Australian top order on his way to taking 4/29 from 19 overs.
“He’s been spectacular and that’s been the difference,” MacGill said.
MacGill ripped through numerous battling lineups throughout his career and he said Australi’s efforts with the willow this series had been “disappointing”.
“The surfaces are true … we should be able to build an innings,” he said.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
