Pak vs Aus: According to Pat Cummins wicket of Lahore is similar to previous wickets

LAHORE: Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, says the track at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore appears similar to the last two sites, but that his playing XI has all the bases covered.

Cummins also confirmed that his starting lineup for the third Test, which begins tomorrow, will remain unchanged.

“Looks quite similar, there is not a lot of grass on it. I can’t see it being too much different from the other ones, so yeah we feel like we have all basis covered we have needed for reverse swing or spin later in the game,” he said in a virtual press conference.

During Pakistan’s second innings in Karachi, when the home team was able to salvage a draw after batting out for over two days, Australia was observed wasting a few of opportunities.

When Steve Smith was batting on 20, he shelled Abdullah Shafique, and the debutant went on to make 96 to support his skipper Babar Azam, who made a career-best 196.

On 161, Babar was dropped twice in a row, while Mohammad Rizwan was taken down at short cover by Usman Khawaja, who remained unbeaten on 104.

“I think what’s being clear is the way we’ve gone about it is the right way, I have been really happy with how everyone has gone about their work and tactics, I think it’s the matter of taking those chances.

“I think the wickets are at a premium in this series so you can’t afford to drop too many chances. We created more than ten chances but unfortunately, we didn’t take them. That is going to be the challenge this week but I think nothing changes the way we’ve gone about it.”

Due to the condition of the surface, Cummins’ fellow quick Josh Hazlewood was left out of the second Test, with Australia opting for Queensland leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson.

Pat Cummins felt Mitchell Starc’s’speed through the air’ gave him the edge over Hazlewood after the left-arm bowled out the hosts for 148 in their opening innings of the second Test with his pace and reverse swing.

“I think only having two quick bowlers, reverse swing is going to be the biggest factor and I thought the way Starcy [Starc] played the last game was fantastic, three wickets in the first innings.

“It is always tough leaving out someone like Joshy [Josh Hazlewood], even Scotty Boland on the bench. I think the class and the difference is Starcy brings as a left armer, bit more air speed and we think this is probably the best chance of taking 20 wickets.”

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