Australia’s experienced speedster, Mitchell Starc, said that the reverse swing will be the key for Australia winning the ongoing third and final Test at Lahore against Pakistan and clinching the three-match Test series which is equal at 0-0.

On Wednesday, March 23, Starc (4 wickets) and Pat Cummins (5 wickets) wreaked havoc on the Pakistan batting line-up towards the end of play on the third day at the Gaddafi Stadium. Australia picked up the last seven wickets for just 20 runs to take a first-innings lead of 123 in the series-deciding Test.

Well, the Australian team is facing a very similar situation in Lahore as in the second Test in Karachi, where the tourists handed a winning target of 506 to Pakistan, but they failed to take 10 wickets for victory and eventually, the match ended in a draw. The first test in Rawalpindi ended in a draw as well.

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As reported by Reuters, Starc said: “Last week (in Karachi) we thought the wicket may break up a lot more than it actually did. Credit to Pakistan, they played really well, but we're in another position of opportunity ... we'd rather be in those positions where we've got options and we're pressing the issue than having to survive. It's a huge positive for this group in foreign conditions to be pushing the game.”

Starc further warned his Australian bowling teammates to not rely on the Gaddafi Stadium pitch to make their job any easier; instead, rely on the reverse swing, which both sides used expertly on day three.

The pacer signed off by saying, “I don't think this wicket helps the fast bowlers at all. The wicket started out quite slow and dead and we've seen it shoot lower and lower as the days have gone on. The key is the reverse swing and both teams have used that well. We've got to stay patient, it's a hard slog, and things are going to happen quickly as the game goes on.”

(With Reuters Inputs)