Last Updated on 1 week by Charbel Coorey
The hope of Dubai was crushed emphatically in Abu Dhabi, wasn’t it?
Friday night is supposed to be the best time of the week, but here I am sitting with water (or whisky?) thinking about the Marsh brothers. How did it get to this?
First of all, congratulations to Pakistan. Notable mentions go to Fakhar Zaman, who was superb on debut, skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, Babar Azam and Mohammad Abbas. For the second time in a row in Abu Dhabi, they have absolutely hammered Australia, following the 356-run triumph in 2014.
For Australia, how could they give us so much hope? The amazing escape of Dubai was followed by taking four wickets for nothing on the first morning at Abu Dhabi. That’s where the fun ended. It was like giving candy to a baby, and then snatching it away so quickly the poor kid didn’t know what happened.
Ahead of the India Test series starting in early December, Australia have decisions to make. The star man Usman Khawaja is down with injury, and the Marsh brothers are not doing our blood pressure levels any favours. Based on the theme of the crap “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here” reality show, I will call this piece “He’s a Marsh. Keep him here.”
Even worse, Vice-Captain…
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Glenn Maxwell is loving life |
Anyway, positions in the team is a conversation for another day, as each player will now go under the CricBlog microscope.
Of course, as always, feel free to leave a comment!
Pakistan
Fakhar Zaman: After an Asia Cup campaign to forget, Fakhar was Zaman’d to the Test scene after injury to Imam-ul-Haq. He didn’t disappoint. A great debut where he had to curb his natural instincts, especially in the first innings to get Pakistan out of trouble. 9
Mohammad Hafeez: Victim of a catch from Marnus Labuschagne that was almost as freaky as Marnus’ run-out. Or even Azhar Ali’s. Wasn’t required to bowl a single over. Quiet match from the first Test centurion and second Test birthday boy. 1
Azhar Ali: Thank you, Azhar. A nightmare Test for Aussie fans had a bright spot with a second innings run-out that his grandchildren one day won’t believe could have happened. I couldn’t stop laughing. Second innings half century papered over an underwhelming series for a good player. 6.5
Haris Sohail: All at sea against Nathan Lyon in this match. 2
Asad Shafiq: Part of the first innings chaos. Helped drive Australia further in the dirt in the second innings. 5
Babar Azam: A first innings shot that was the cause of Mickey Arthur memes all over social media. So close to a second innings century, which would have been his first in Test. Played well, but the situation enabled it. Getting out for 99 is tough. Getting out to Mitch Marsh is worse. 7.5
Sarfraz Ahmed: What a performance from the skipper. The spotlight was on him after a poor Asia Cup campaign and the Test that got away in Dubai. His first innings knock of 94 completely changed the momentum of the game. Followed it up with an 81 in the second dig, and kept the pressure on the Aussies in the field. He gets full marks for me. 10
Bilal Asif: When Bilal Asif is only needed to bowl 15 overs, you know it’s a good game for Pakistan. Picked up the huge wicket of Aaron Finch in the first innings, and finished with 3/23. Another good showing. 7.5
Yasir Shah: Even Waqar Younis was saying on commentary that Yasir Shah wasn’t at his best in this series. Continuously asked questions, though, which was key. The wickets will come for Yasir. 7
Mir Hamza: Bowled an absolute peach to get rid of Shaun Marsh in the second innings. Showed small glimpses of why he has an amazing FC record. 5
Mohammad Abbas: Living proof you don’t have to be express to be a top class Test bowler. This guy is simply fantastic, getting the ball to talk on these unforgiving UAE tracks. In the process, he became the first ever pace bowler to take ten wickets in a Test in the UAE. Even better, his Test average of 15.64 is the fourth best in Test history for someone with 50+ Test wickets. Even though it’s never nice seeing Australia lose, it was a joy watching Abbas bowl. 10
Australia
Usman Khawaja: Unlucky first innings dismissal, and went down with injury, which is a huge blow for Australia. No bad words for Uzzie. N/A
Aaron Finch: A couple of 30’s would have disappointed Finch, but this is a debut series he should be content with. Did his best to get Australia off to good starts. 6
Shaun Marsh: Mohammad Abbas took more wickets (17) than Shaun Marsh scored runs (14) across two Tests. Abbas dreams at night of batsmen pushing hard out in front of their body, and S. Marsh obliged. Australia’s biggest disappointment this series. 0
Travis Head: Remember when the guy in his second Test was sent in to bat in the first innings above a Vice-Captain who shouldn’t even be in the side? Again encouraged fans with a second innings start, but needs to play the ball later. Potential. 4
Mitchell Marsh: I would like to have a nice, friendly chat to the person who decided to install Mitchell Marsh as Australian Vice-Captain. His selection in the side in the past was based on him being the all-rounder, but now he’s being selected as a batsman and vice-captain? His lineage is working beautifully for him. Not much else is, unfortunately. As mentioned, “He’s a Marsh. Get him in here.” 1
Marnus Labuschagne: Has one player ever given us things to be encouraged about as well as so many reasons to pull hair out in one match? His spilled catch that let off Fakhar Zaman on the first day was mighty costly, and his first innings run-out would have got any under 11 kid in huge trouble if they did the same. Showed promising signs with the bat, and should be given a shot vs. India. If he is dropped but the Marsh boys stay, I think I might officially blow up. 5
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Tim Paine: Nothing went right for skipper Paine in this Test. 2
Mitchell Starc: A better showing from Starc here compared to Dubai, and will be key to Australia’s chances against India. Wasn’t at his best in this series, and coming back from injury, it was a big ask. 5
Nathan Lyon: The GOAT is the kind of guy you’d have over for a Barbecue any day. Was superb, especially in a burst on the first day that brought Australia four wickets for no runs. Finished with eight for the Test, and went past Mitchell Johnson as the fourth highest wicket taker for Australia in Tests. 8
Peter Siddle: Failed to reach the heights of first innings Dubai. Has this fine servant of Aussie cricket played his last Test?
Jon Holland: Lack of control, lack of pressure. This might very well be Jon’s last Test. Time to look elsewhere, methinks. 3
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So, congratulations Pakistan.
It was a joy to watch Mohammad Abbas go at it, and it was a deserved victory in the end.
Do you agree with my player ratings?
Thanks for reading!