Australia v Pakistan 2nd ODI @ MCG - Preview/Recap of 1st ODI
Australia Go 1-Up
Australian went 1-up in the best of five ODI series with a comprehensive 92-run win over Pakistan at the Gabba. On a day when temperatures soared and player's energy was sapped, Australia ran out easy winners bowling Pakistan out for just 176 in reply to their 9/268. It was far from a polished batting performance from Australia as a Matthew Wade century rescued them from a precarious position. After Mohammad Amir ripped out both David Warner and Steve Smith in consecutive balls, Australia slumped to 5/78. Glenn Maxwell showed the rare talent he possesses with a stylish half century before a soft shot brought about his downfall. Wade brought up his first ODI century off the final ball of the innings to complete an outstanding innings in challenging conditions. With the bat, an injury to Azhar Ali did not help the tourists' cause. However they were no match for Australia's vaunted pace attack with James Faulkner, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc combining for 9 wickets as the tourists crumbled. The teams now head to Melbourne for the 2nd ODI match where Australia remain a prohibitive favourite.
Wade At Home In a Scrap
Matthew Wade has had a summer to forget in the Test arena, however he reminded everyone of his fighting qualities on Friday at the Gabba. His first ODI century was an outstanding innings in searing conditions, coming with his side under pressure.Wade is a cricketer and a batsman at his best in a crisis. Wae is a scrapper, relishes a dog fight and would have enjoyed coming to the crease at 5/78 rather than the comfortable situations he found himself walking to the wicket in the Test arena. That's the sort of character and batsman Wade is. He is a niggler and and the situations he came in during the Test series rarely called for those qualities. Often coming with Australia at 300 or 400 runs, Wade struggled for runs and focus and his place in the team has been called into question. However, Wade showed exactly why he is a valued member of the side with his back to the wall innings in Brisbane. The situation clearly got his juices flowing. While Wade has been a clear first choice ODI wicket keeper for a while now he needs to produce these sorts of back to the wall performances if He wants to hold on to his Test spot. You can expect this sort of situation to arise more than once in India on the raging turners over there, and that's where Wade will be in his element.
Faulkner Back In Form
James Faulkner has had somewhat of a quiet 12 months, however he reasserted himself with four wickets on Friday night. Faulkner has been a staple of Australia's ODI side for the past four years since he debuted against the West Indies in February 2013 however has been a little quiet of late. Faulkner, through his performances, has gained a reputation as Australia's premier ODI all rounder, with his ability to finish games with the bat and provide handy wickets with the ball. Faulkner has both the power and guile to control a run chase, however it was his bowling which did the damage on Friday. To be honest, I am surprised Faulkner doesn't get more discussion as a Test all rounder option. He has a First Class record to suggest he should be right in the discussion up against the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Hilton Cartwright and Glenn Maxwell. Faulkner has 186 wickets at 24 which is a fantastic bowling average, and his batting average of 32 is respectable for someone who often come in at Number 7. Whilst Faulkner has missed selection on the tour of India, I think if he continue his good form throughout the ODIs and in the second half of the Sheffield Shield season, he could emerge as a genuine Test option.
Mohammad Amir Shows His Class
Pakistan has been a gross disappointment this summer, however I have still enjoyed the bowling skills of Mohammad Amir. Amir was desperately unlucky in the Test series, beating the bat on several occasions and bowling without luck in general on his way to just five wickets at an average over 60. Amir had unlimited potential as an 18 year old when he was given a five year ban for his role in the spot fixing scandal in a Test match against England. His comeback has been uplifting, and I don't agree with those that think he should have been given a life ban. At 24, he remains a fantastic bowler with the best years of his career ahead of him. The way he ripped out David Warner and Steve Smith in consecutive balls in Brisbane was a snapshot of the skills he possesses as a bowler. Rarely do you see a batsman of David Warner's class comprehensively beaten and bowled all ends up.
Crowd At The Gabba A Worry
With the Big Bash continuing to prove a big hit with punters and families across the country, it was always going to be interesting to see how the crowd numbers for the ODI series matched up. Whilst you couldn't describe 21,000 at the Gabba as a terrible crowd, it was notable that the Heat had 10,000 more fans in attendance just two nights beforehand for their match against the Scorchers, The Heat has also sold their final home game out on Tuesday night. It's an interesting time for cricket with T20 tournaments seemingly getting bigger and bigger, and ODI and Test crowds struggling in various areas of the world. Whilst I wouldn't like to see more T20 and less ODI and Test cricket, it will be interesting to see if crowds continue to decline in the long term, and what decisions are made after Cricket Australia's scheduling clash in January. It's concerning that the best players in Australia are playing in front of fewer fans than some of their domestic team mates. Don't be surprised long term if the ODI's are done and dusted in October and December, and Australia's best players are free to play some part in the BBL.