Australia: A thoroughly professional outfit

The Australians continued where they left off against Pakistan, knocking over the Kenyans for a paltry 84. The most noticeable thing about the Australian team is that they never let the opposition off the hook, not relaxing in the field for even one moment. Their commitment in the field is unmatched by any other side, and that really adds to the very disciplined approach of their bowlers. What sets them apart from Pakistan is that they come into every game with a plan, and more often than not, it is executed perfectly.

While it would have been understandable for them to have taken the Kenyans lightly, they came out with a full strength side and showed a tremendous level of professionalism. That is the hallmark of their game, the fact that they take each game seriously, and do not believe in resting on their laurels.

If one analyses their performances on the field, it is like the working of a well oiled machine, disciplined and coordinated in every aspect. Their bowlers bowl in the slightly short of good length region, on or outside off stump, and let the opposition make all the mistakes. Their line and length is immaculate which means they are virtually impossible to get away, and the slightest of error by the batsman means he nicks the ball into a well-patrolled slip cordon. The Pakistanis on the other hand lack patience, looking to bowl a magical delivery each time; hence they try too many things and get punished. Wasim and Waqar are tremendous bowlers, but are often guilty of not bowling to their field, and each time they stray in length or width, top level batsman cash in.

The second aspect of the Australian effort in the field that must be applauded is their quick changeovers. All the fielders hustle through and are ready for the next over within a matter of moments. This has a two-fold effect, firstly ensuring they are never behind the over rate and second, getting through the overs quickly means that the opposition batsman are never allowed to settle. The Pakistan team on the other hand wastes time in the change between overs, lazily trotting through to their positions. They get away with this when bowling second, but when asked to bowl first, they often face the dilemma of having a few overs docked. Afridi is possibly the only bowler who rushes through his overs, and manages to cover for the atrocious rate of the others.

Another aspect that the Australians are head and shoulder above the Pakistanis is the extras or rather the lack of it. While it is customary to see Pakistan giving away at least 20 wides and no balls per match, the Aussies are highly disciplined and a no-ball or wide is rare. While wides are sometimes excusable if the ball is moving about, as it is was in Kenya, no-balls are inexcusable. All it requires is some discipline in the nets, if the over stepping habit is checked there it will not creep up in matches either. Even worse is the fact that the main culprit is Wasim Akram, the most experienced of the Pakistan bowlers.

While the Pakistani cricket fans must accept that our fielding standards cannot match the Aussies, at least for now, the bowling effort can certainly be disciplined if more effort is put in. In the meantime we have to hope that the batsman will get their act together, and then only can we expect to challenge Australia on a regular basis and particularly leading up to the World Cup.