Follow UsAustralia will field an unchanged XI in the third and final Test against Pakistan, starting Monday (March 21) at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Skipper Pat Cummins expects similar conditions to be on offer in Lahore from the ones in Rawalpindi and Karachi.
With Australia retaining the XI, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood misses will miss two Tests in a row and there's also no place for Scott Boland or Ashton Agar either. "We were really happy with how all 11 players went last Test," skipper Pat Cummins said on Sunday (March 20).
"Everyone has pulled up really well. We gave them an extra couple of days to make sure everyone has come up good. But there's no injury worries, everyone is freshened up, so we're confident in the XI.
"Only having two quick bowlers, I think reverse swing is going to be a big factor and the way Starcy [Mitchell Starc] played last game was fantastic.
"It's always tough leaving out someone like Joshy, even Scotty Boland. But the class and the difference Starcy brings as a left-armer, a bit more airspeed, we think that's the best chance to take 20 wickets."
Cummins observes that there is not a lot of grass on the surface and narrows it down to the usage of the track for the Pakistan Super League (PSL). "There's not a lot of grass on it," he said.
"I think it's had quite a lot of traffic throughout the PSL on it as well. It seems hard, but I can't see it being too much different from the other ones. We feel like we've got all bases covered if needed, whether it's reverse swing or swing later in the game."
Despite falling just short in Karachi, Cummins is happy that Australia dominated the game for most parts. "I think what's been clear … is the way we've gone about it is the right way," he said.
"I've been really happy with how everyone has gone about their work (and) the tactics. I think it's just a matter of taking those chances.
"Wickets are at a premium in this series so you can't afford to drop too many chances. We created more than 10 chances (in the second innings in Karachi) we just, unfortunately, didn't take them, so that's going to be the challenge this week."
Australia XI for third Test vs Pakistan: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Swepson, Nathan Lyon