DUBAI // Adam Gilchrist, the former Australia wicket-keeper, thinks his compatriots need to alter their mindset rather than technique if they are going to combat Pakistan in the UAE.
The Australians were comprehensively outplayed by an unheralded Pakistan side in the opening match of the two-Test series at the Dubai International Stadium.
The 221-run loss means they have to win the Test in Abu Dhabi, starting on Thursday, if they are to halve the series.
Gilchrist says swapping their standard attacking gameplan for one based on patience is the toughest challenge Australian players face when playing in Asian conditions.
“I don’t see it as a skill issue, I see it as a mental issue,” Gilchrist said in Dubai yesterday.
“What Pakistan did [in the Dubai Test] was play good, old-fashioned, patient Test cricket.
“Culturally, as a cricketing nation, we find it hard to make that adjustment, particularly initially.
“We are a fast-paced cricket team and have been for decades. Attack is our best form of defence, but there are times when you have to realise the need to shut down. It is not our natural instinct to do that.”
Darren Lehmann, the Australia coach, believes his batsmen foundered on a pitch in Dubai which was not taking especially exaggerated spin.
“We didn’t adapt and we didn’t play well enough,” Lehmann said, after his side managed scores of 303 and 216 in the Dubai match.
“Talking about learning how to play in these conditions, we got beaten by less spin than normal. We need to get better at hitting the straight ball.
“We need to be sharper, knowing that a lot of the deliveries will have no spin, and not play for spin that isn’t there.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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