After such an unforgettable back end of the first Test, there is a swirl of anticipation ahead of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan. The historic Test is always the centerpiece of the Australian cricket summer and circled as one of the country’s most cherished sporting dates. Apart from the Ashes Tests, this affair at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) looms as the most intoxicating for many years, with more than 60,000 spectators tipped for the Boxing Day.
The final couple of sessions in Brisbane gripped the entirety of the cricket world and has fuelled excitement for the second Test. It has been an eternity since a competitive series ensued between these teams and, tantalisingly, it feels like something special is simmering.
However, Australia will aim to be party poopers and regain lost momentum after thoroughly dominating the opening three days of the first Test. Australia’s vaunted attack was surprisingly stymied by determined Pakistani batting, raising concerns of an over reliance on spearheads Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood.
Third seamer Jackson Bird was patchy, while Nathan Lyon, the off-spinner, once again struggled when it mattered the most. For more bowling depth, and as a possible replacement for struggling No. 6 batsman Nic Maddinson, Australia had called up uncapped all-rounder Hilton Cartwright, but have opted to stick with the same XI that featured in Brisbane.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will be looking to build on the goodwill fostered from Brisbane, after a sluggish start to the series. Their susceptible batting line-up has been injected with much-needed confidence and will be looking for an improved performance from captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who scored just nine runs in the first Test. Exciting No. 3 batsman Babar Azam also struggled in the first Test and will be needed if Pakistan have to replicate their astounding second innings.
Surprisingly, Pakistan’s high-octane bowling arsenal failed to trouble an inexperienced Australian batting line-up, which impressively flourished in Brisbane despite the continued failures of imposing opener David Warner.
Pakistan will likely need to change their one dimensional pace attack in a bid for more versatility and would be wise to utilise star leg spinner Yasir Shah in an attacking fashion. In Brisbane, he bowled negatively due to a defensive field drawn up by Misbah, in what was a head-scratching tactic that ultimately backfired.
The second Test at the MCG, one of the iconic sports grounds in the world, has all the ingredients for another memorable affair. The pitch, which should be fairly flat and could favour spin in the latter stages, should suit the tourists, who are extremely dangerous when their tails are up.
However, the mercurial Pakistanis have often disappointed when expectations are high, so one wouldn’t be surprised if an anti-climax ensues. Fingers crossed, on the hallowed MCG, another classic encounter plays out during the most beloved fixture on the international calendar.
When: Monday (December 26), 2016.10:30PM local
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
What to expect: Typical fickle Melbourne weather is predicted for the Test. Hot temperatures, around the mid-30s, are forecast for the opening three days. However, rain is predicted for the back end of the Test, particularly on day five.
Team News
Australia: After a gruelling back end to the first Test, where they spent 145 overs on the field, there was innuendo that Australia would consider resting Starc and Hazelwood. However, both will play, and so will the remaining nine that featured in Brisbane as the hosts announced an unchanged XI on the eve of the fixture.
Pakistan: In Brisbane, Pakistan’s pace bowing, the team’s undeniable strength, struggled and was one-dimensional, containing three left-armers. Right-armers Imran Khan and Sohail Khan could get a chance in Melbourne, most likely for Rahat Ali who was the least impressive of the Pakistani quicks.
What they said
“Boxing Day Test gets everyone ready to go. Everyone’s feeling good, recovered, well and ready.” – Mitchell Starc
“We are quite confident and very united about winning this Test and levelling the series.” – Sami Aslam
Did you know?
– Pakistan have not beaten Australia in a Test since 1995. Since then, they have lost 10 straight Tests in Australia. Pakistan has never won a series Down Under.
– Two of Pakistan’s four Test victories in Australia have been at the MCG. Still, Australia holds the advantage winning five matches from nine Tests (two draws) at the MCG. Pakistan’s last victory in Melbourne was in 1981.
– Misbah-ul-Haq needs 116 runs for 5000 career Test runs, while David Warner requires 51 runs to reach the same landmark.
Squads
Australia Playing XI: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird
Pakistan (from): Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Sami Azlam, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah,Mohammad Amir, Imran Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Rahat Ali, Sharjeel Khan, Sohail Khan, Mohammad Asghar
 looms as the most intoxicating for many years, with more than 60,000 spectators tipped for the Boxing Day.){kind=link}