Australia vs Pakistan
First Test, Gabba, 15 December
Last month the word ‘crisis’ was being mooted in Australian circles, but since Hobart, Australia has made changes on and off the field, won the final test against South Africa and beat New Zealand 3-0 in the recent ODI series. With the ‘crisis’ now a memory, Australia moves onto the three test series against the enigma known as Pakistan. Pakistan has slipped from first to fourth on the ICC test rankings and are playing their first test in Australia in six years under lights. The challenge is before them.
Test Form Line
Australia’s win in Adelaide against South Africa ended a five match losing streak. Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood led the attack and were supported by the batsman. Usman Khawaja was the standout while Steve Smith and Peter Handscomb both contributed fifties. Pakistan has lost their last three tests against New Zealand and the West Indies. The team’s highest innings total in their last five innings is 230.
Stadium Record
Australia has made the Gabba a fortress. They have 20 wins and 7 draws in their last 27 tests. Their last loss was in 1988 against a Viv Richards’ led West Indies. In four attempts Pakistan has never won at the Gabba. Their best result was a draw over thirty years ago. They have not played a test at the Gabba since 1999.
Head to Head Record
The only thing in Pakistan’s favour is they have won the last three tests against Australia. The wins were in the UAE and England. Prior to that Australia won thirteen tests in a row against Pakistan. The last draw between these two countries was in 1998 and you have to go all the way back to 1995 to find Pakistan’s last win in Australia.
First Test - Australia vs Pakistan
Australia 1.33
Draw 6.5
Pakistan 6
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Blue Bet Words: Rhys Thurston
