While their replacements have had a taste of international cricket, four straight ODI defeats – including two heavy losses on the spinning decks of Colombo last week against a team that did not qualify for the Champions Trophy – and six defeats in their past 10 games suggests it’s going to take something special to prevail in Pakistan.
England have also lost their past four ODIs, so the opening game between these two fierce rivals will be a fascinating watch. Here’s what Australia need to do between now and then.
Settle on a batting order
David Warner’s retirement 18 months ago meant the selectors avoided having to make a tough call on one of the game’s greats, but a suitable replacement has yet to be found. Jake Fraser-McGurk, nicknamed the Rooster, wasted opportunities against Pakistan in November, and two games in Sri Lanka, where he opened in the first game, and was at No.3 in the second. For all the hype, can this Rooster (98 runs at an average of 14, strike rate 132.43, in seven ODIs) really crow? He has the backing of skipper Steve Smith, who believes the batsman-friendly pitches of Pakistan will aid the Victorian, but perhaps it’s time to temper his overly aggressive mantra, a point Australian great Adam Gilchrist made on Tuesday.
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