Rich rewards on offer at MCG for bowling attacks willing to do ‘hard work’

Rich rewards on offer at MCG for bowling attacks willing to do ‘hard work’

PAKISTAN batting coach Gary Flower had predicted more hard toil for Boxing Day bowlers but late turn and potential reverse swing could play in to the tourists hands.

The visitors had a searching three-hour training session in the MCG nets, as the Aussies sat on planes and jetted in from their home ports.

Flower liked what he saw of the MCG and suggested it would be “hard work” for both bowling attacks, not words the Aussie pace trio, who fired down 157 overs in Brisbane, wanted to hear. 

And having pushed their way to within a whisker of a record run chase with 450 second innings runs, Flower said his batsmen had their tails up going in to the second Test.

“They are very skilful but sometimes it can go wrong, their techniques can be found wanting when they are not used to the conditions,” Flower said of their first innings failure.

“The flip side is when something happens like the other day and you see the best of them. As the guys get more used to the conditions here you will see more of that.

“The confidence they have gained since that last innings ... that momentum will definitely help carry them on in to this Test.”

Flower also predicted Pakistani run-machine Younis Khan, who entered the Gabba with just 16 runs in his previous four Tests innings and got a duck in the first, would build on his second dig of 65 to pour on further pain for the Aussies.

“He had his best net practice for ages, he looked brilliant,” Flower said of Khan, who averages 52 though his 113 Tests.

Flower predicted reverse swing could come in to play late, making the expected presence of Pakistani paceman Mohammad Amir key.

He is expected to be available for Boxing Day despite still nursing a sore thigh, after being branded by Aussie paceman Mitchell Starc in Brisbane, and bowling with his knee heavily strapped yesterday, after hurting himself while fielding at the Gabba.

“There is quite a but of bruising. He is feeling a bit stiff,” Flower said.

“But he’s all right. I think the guys are fit enough to go through (five days). I think our attack will probably be the same.”

Originally published as Series can swing back into Pakistan’s favour