Australia’s struggles against spin were exposed again on a horror night in Pakistan, with a potential drama set to erupt after Cameron Green appeared to accuse one of the home side’s bowlers of chucking after he was dismissed.
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The hosts romped to a 90-run victory to claim a 2-0 lead in the World Cup warm-up series, with Australia copping their second wakeup call in the space of a few days after they were bowled out for just 108.
It was their biggest defeat in T20 internationals since 2005.
Aussie spinner Adam Zampa described the conditions as “alien” after the first T20, but the sequel was far more gruesome ahead of their opening game of the World Cup against Ireland on February 11.
Green was the only batter to get going on a horror night for the top six, with the all-rounder eventually sent packing for 35 after he was caught off the bowling of Usman Tariq who finished with two wickets.
Green muttered angrily as he trudged off and then mimicked Tariq’s controversial bowling style as he approached the dugout, twice indicating that the spinner had chucked the ball.
Teammate Sean Abbott was seen laughing as he walked back to the sheds, with Tariq’s action surely set to draw attention from the authorities.
“I have no idea,” fast bowler Xavier Bartlett replied when asked about Green’s reaction.
“I walked out there and there were tough conditions with all the spinners. I’m not even sure who he got out to because I was trying to scramble to put my pads on.”
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IN A SPIN
The conditions in Lahore were a lot worse than what the Aussies will get in India for the important games at the upcoming T20 World Cup, but it’s a worrying sign ahead of their pool matches in Sri Lanka this month where spin is king.
Pakistan bowled just one over pace – the first of the innings – with all 10 wickets falling to spin on a pitch that played plenty of tricks, including a ball that barely bounced to knock over Travis Head.
“Pakistan outplayed us with both the bat and the ball,’ Bartlett said, with Australia’s quicks largely ineffective as Salman Agha blasted 76 off 40 deliveries.
“It’s foreign conditions to what we’re used to in Australia, but they’re all key learnings that we’ll take into the next couple of weeks, especially a big World Cup campaign.”
NO ROOM FOR SMITH
Australia chose its final 15-man squad for the World Cup overnight but there was no room for Steve Smith despite his outstanding BBL campaign.
Smith’s technique would have been handy in spinning conditions, but Bartlett has full faith in the guys who played in Lahore as well as the injured brigade who should be back in time for the World Cup.
There were a couple of changes to the squad with Pat Cummins ruled out with a back injury and replaced by Ben Dwarshuis, while Matt Renshaw comes in for Matt Short to provide another left-handed option in the middle order.
“I think we’ve got a few blokes who are recovering from injuries as well like Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis,” Bartlett said.
“Glenn Maxwell is a seasoned campaigner who knows these conditions like the back of his hand.
“I think they all had really strong Big Bashes and they’ve played a lot of cricket so I’m sure they’ll be ready to go for the World Cup.”
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