Australian captain George Bailey believes his side will kick off its one-day series against Pakistan on Tuesday on a doctored pitch.
The Aussies are in the United Arab Emirates for a Pakistan-hosted tour consisting of a three-match one-day international series and a pair of Test matches, and Bailey doesn’t expect a whole lot of parity in tomorrow’s opener.
The 32-year-old surprised reporters on the eve of the first clash against the ICC’s sixth ranked side, claiming opposition nations cater their away pitches to the favour of their typically stronger spin attacks.
Coach Darren Lehmann recently employed the services of Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan to help with Australia’s specialist woes, and if Sunday’s Twenty20 win in Dubai was anything to go by, the Aussies are set to face a number of spin friendly wickets this month.
“We’re going to have to [play spin well] because if the wickets are like last night then it’s going to be a really key factor for the tournament,” Bailey said at a pre-match press conference.
“I still think teams are doctoring their wickets when we come and play to produce very large spinning wickets … which says to me that teams still think that we’re vulnerable against spin.
“The challenge for us is to become so good at spin that is no longer required.
“Teams are then producing the best cricket wickets they can.”
Australian spinners Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Boyce combined for a five-wicket haul on Sunday, leaving Bailey and Lehmann to prepare for further spin-friendly Dubai fixtures in the second ODI on October 10 and the first Test on the 22nd.
“I imagine the Dubai wicket won’t change too much,” Bailey said.
“I think we’re playing [the one-day international] on the same wicket and I believe the Test wicket might even be the same as well.
“That’s going to be a challenge.”
Pakistan – Australia ODI Series
Tuesday, October 7
First ODI
Sharjah Cricket Stadium 10 00 PM AEDT
Friday, October 10
Second ODI
Dubai International Cricket Stadium 10 00 PM AEDT
Sunday, October 12
Third ODI
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi 10 00 PM AEDT
Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
