Australian head coach Andrew McDonald believes a key change from the Optus Stadium curator can help “expose” Pakistan.
Meanwhile, an Aussie cult figure has called for one of the nation’s World Cup heroes to be recalled into the Test fold.
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WHY CURATOR’S KEY PITCH CALL CAN ‘EXPOSE’ PAKISTAN
Expect a few more cracks in the pitch at Optus Stadium compared to last year in the first Test between Australia and Pakistan.
That is the wish of Optus Stadium curator Isaac McDonald, who is hoping the pitch will deteriorate faster than it did for Australia’s Test against the West Indies at the venue last year.
Although Australia cruised to a 164-run win over the Windies, it took them four-and-a-half days to get the victory as the pitch didn’t break up as quickly as McDonald had hoped for.
Speaking to CODE Sports, McDonald confirmed he has taken a slightly different approach when preparing the pitch for the first Test and will “take a little bit more grass off the top”.
“My theory is to have it a little bit harder on top and a little bit less grass and see what impact that has on the game,” McDonald said.
“Grass is pace and bounce. That’s what people are looking for and that’s essentially what I’m looking for in a really good long-format wicket.”
One figure excited about the prospect of a fast wicket is Australian head coach Andrew McDonald, who believes his bowling attack “can expose” Pakistan in Perth.
“You talk to the fast bowlers and batters and it’s a good even contest between bat and ball, anytime there is bounce and pace in the surface,” McDonald said.
“If you get in, there are runs a plenty and if you find the right line and length, there’s reward for you as well. It always creates a fair and even contest.
“I think the bounce. As you said, the Gabba presents bounce. Perth presents bounce as well. So I think anytime a team, in particular, coming from the subcontinent, is challenged with that first up, it makes hopefully for a slow start for them. Hopefully we can expose them on a bouncy surface. So that is an advantage.”
CULT HERO’S BOLD MAXI CALL
Former Australian international bowler Doug Bollinger has boldly called for Glenn Maxwell to be brought back into the Test fold.
Maxwell became a national hero for his exploits at the 2023 World Cup in which he smacked the fastest century (106 from 44) in World Cup history against the Netherlands as well as his absurd knock of 201* against Afghanistan where he overcame severe cramps to steer the Aussies home.
Despite his white ball success, Maxwell has not played a Test match for Australia since September 2017 against Bangladesh.
However, Bollinger still backed the big-hitting Victorian for a Test recall.
“I even said to a few people, why wouldn’t they pick Maxi in the Test squad the way he’s batting?” Bollinger said on SEN.
“He’s played Test cricket before. In Australian conditions, it’d be interesting.
“Who cares, put everyone up the order.
“I like thinking outside the square like that, mate. I said to pick Scott Boland a few years ago and I got called a moron.
“I think just in the background you’ve got to pick who’s getting runs, who’s getting wickets.”
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