Boxing Day Test. Australia v. Pakistan.

[Donny]

MCG. Boxing Day.

Australia v. Pakistan

10.30 start.

[Donny]

"Pakistan will have to make at least one change for the second Test at the MCG after fast bowler Khurram Shahzad was on Thursday ruled out for the remainder of the Benaud-Qadir series.

After finishing with match figures of 5-128 on Test debut, Shahzad pulled up sore and was sent for scans, with results revealing a stress fracture in his 10th rib, as well as an abdominal muscle tear."

CA

[Donny]

"Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan has staked his claim for a Boxing Day Test recall after impressing in a two-day practice match against Victoria.

Rizwan hit a free-flowing 50 from 70 balls before retiring during day one of the hit-out, held behind closed doors at Junction Oval in St Kilda on Friday.

Saud Shakeel, who has enjoyed a consistent start to his Test career and showed fight against Australia in Perth last week, top-scored with 70 retired in Pakistan's 323 after the tourists decided to bat first.

Rizwan was overlooked for the first Test, with Pakistan opting for veteran Sarfaraz Ahmed behind the stumps.

But Sarfaraz struggled badly with the bat in the series-opener and wasn't outstanding with the gloves, either."

CA.

Barring an unforseen injury, the Aussies will make no change to the XI which won the first Test.

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

If win the toss if i was the captain that wins it i would bowl first

[Donny]

Why ? Got some inside info about the wicket ?

[Donny]

Head-to-head.

Overall: Australia 35 wins, Pakistan 15 wins, 20 draws

Past 10 years: Australia seven wins, Pakistan three wins, three draws

In Australia: Australia 27 wins, Pakistan four wins, seven draws

Most runs: Javed Miandad (1797), Allan Border (1666), Greg Chappell (1581), Ricky Ponting (1537)

Most wickets: Shane Warne (90), Glenn McGrath (80), Dennis Lillee (71), Imran Khan (64)

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

I happened to be at the MCG today for a function.
I must say i had to look around 4 times on where the actual pitch was.
I must say that it the greenest pitch ever and possibly of all time.
Its all grass and green at that.
Looks like real shaggy as well and a heap of growth on it.
This ones going to bounce and bounce a heap.
Boxing days tho looking like a real rain effected day.
its wednesday i becomes better.
Could just end up been a 3-4 day test.

[Donny]

Cummo won't mind if he loses the toss.

As S Waugh once noted: "Win or lose the toss, you've still gotta play well"

[Donny]

The weather could put a dampener (pun intended) on Day 1.

Rain & storms predicted.

[Donny]

Aussies sent in.

Warner edges one. Dropped in slips.

0/11.

[Donny]

Two lefties facing 2 lefties. Unusual but not unique.

Afridi getting good swing.

0/14 after 6 overs.

[Donny]

Interesting stat: Khawaja has faced more balls than the entire Sth. African Test team, in 2023.

[lazzadesilva]

[Donny]

How costly, that dropped catch ?

Would've brought an out-of-form Labuschagne to the crease with Smudge padded up.

After 10 overs, 0/26. Khawaja 12*, Warner 10*.

[Donny]

First hour negotiated with no loss.

0/34. Warner 17*, Khawaja 12*.