Following an initial period of difficulty in the inaugural Test held in Perth, Australia seized control and stormed to an overwhelming 360-run victory over Pakistan. Nathan Lyon and the rest of Australia’s pace attack were in outstanding form. 13 wickets were taken by the fast bowlers, whose average speeds approached 140.
This stood in stark contrast to the pacers from Pakistan, whose numbers were significantly fewer. Although Shaheen Afridi encountered difficulties on the pitch, both debutants demonstrated remarkable speed while circling the wicket. Khurram Shahzad secured five wickets, whereas Aamer Jamal amassed seven.
Mitchell Starc of Australia stated that his team was taken aback by Pakistan’s lack of speed, but added that speed was not the linchpin of fast bowling.
“I think everyone was slightly surprised at the lower pace of the Pakistan bowlers when you’re generally used to some guys getting in the 150s,” Starc commented. “I don’t think that pace is the be all and end all but it certainly plays a part and can help.”
Boland was cited by Starc as an example of a performer whose effectiveness did not require speed. He further stated that Boland was a valuable supplement to an attack that already featured effective speed options.
“As an illustration, consider Scotty Boland, who can bowl decent wheels but is not among your fastest bowlers. However, he produces a great deal of lateral movement in Melbourne, which is his native land.
“He has been doing it for a very long time, and we saw that against England [during the Ashes in 2021, Boland collected 6/7 in his debut Test], where each of his deliveries had the potential to be a wicket. We certainly complement one another well in terms of our attack by carrying out our tasks in vastly distinct ways.”
Former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis recently expressed a comparable viewpoint on the ESPN program Around the Wicket.
“Medium and sluggish medium pacers are visible to me. “I am observing all-arounders,” said Waqar. “Real pace is absent.” Historically, spectators would gather to observe Pakistani pace bowlers bowling 150 clicks while sprinting in hard.
“That is precisely what I am failing to perceive, and that is the source of my concern.
“I am similarly concerned about this on a domestic level.” I can appreciate that there are a few ailments, but in the past, Pakistan could call upon a battery of fast bowlers. “However, that is not the case, and I am extremely concerned about that.”
Pakistan’s bowling assault has been significantly diminished since the opening match, beginning with the stress fracture-related absence of pacer Khurram Shahzad. Subsequently, Noman Ali was also forced to withdraw from the squad due to an acute appendicitis diagnosis. Abrar Ahmed will also be absent from the second Test as a result of foot pain.
The MCG will serve as the venue for the traditional Boxing Day matchup of the second Test.