AUS v PAK 2019: Australia to field unchanged playing XI in second Test; visitors set for changes

Australia are leading the two-match series 1-0 having won the first Test by an innings and 5 runs.

Australia dominated Pakistan in the series opener at Gabba | Getty

Having thrashed Pakistan by an innings and five runs in the first Test at Gabba, Australian have decided to retain an unchanged playing XI for the second Test, slated to be held under lights at the iconic Adelaide Oval from November 29.

Addressing the press conference on the eve of the match, Australia skipper Tim Paine said there's no reason to change the team that defeated Pakistan in Brisbane inside four days.

“Obviously we thought we played a pretty good game of cricket last week," Paine told reporters. “Our (bowling) attack is all feeling good and fresh and they have all got great pink ball records, so no need to change."

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On the other hand, the visitors will wait until after a training session on Friday morning to make what is expected to be two changes to their line-up for the Day-Night Test.

A Pakistan team official said team management would wait until just before the toss to confirm the starting XI.

It is believed, the team management could correct the debatable exclusion of pacer Mohammad Abbas this time, and might also rope in Imam Ul Haq in place of struggling middle-order batsman Haris Sohail.

While Abbas has taken 66 wickets at 18.9 in the 14 Tests so far, his record against Australia is even more impressive. When the two teams had played a two-match series in UAE last year, the right-arm pacer took 17 wickets at a phenomenal average of 10.58.

No wonder, Paine is also expecting Abbas to feature in the second and final Test.

“We're as prepared as we can be without facing him," the Aussie skipper said. "We all know what he does, we've got a different side that played against him before. He's an exceptional bowler, his record would suggest that.”

Australian Playing XI: Joe Burns, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (captain), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

(Inputs from AP)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 28 Nov, 2019

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