Australia cricket selectors have recalled allrounder Dan Christian, spinner Brad Hogg and paceman Mitchell Starc for Friday night’s crucial second Twenty20 International against Pakistan.
The changes follow Australia’s heaviest ever loss by the margin of balls remaining after Pakistan overhauled Australia’s total of 89 with seven wickets and 31 deliveries in hand.
Glenn Maxwell, Ben Hilfenhaus and spinner Xavier Doherty have been dropped. Maxwell made four runs batting at No.8 and took 0-25 off two overs after being asked to open the bowling in his T20 debut.
Wednesday night’s total of 89 was Australia’s second-lowest ever and Christian is expected to slot in at No.8 in Maxwell’s place.
However skipper George Bailey wants the runs to come from the top four primarily, with pressure on openers David Warner and Shane Watson plus Mike Hussey and Bailey himself to lift the side to a more respectable total.
Bailey says the Dubai pitch is playing slow and taking turn and he feels around 140 would be a handy total.
And the skipper isn’t giving up on his side’s T20 World Cup hopes in Sri Lanka later this month despite their awful start to the three-game series against Pakistan.
Ninth-ranked Australia could fall even further — below Ireland — if Pakistan sweep the three-match series.
“But in terms of the group we’ve got together and what we’re capable of, it certainly hasn’t altered my thoughts that we can still be a very good team,” Bailey said defiantly after the loss.
“I still think we can win it. I certainly don’t think we’d win if we played like we did today.”
Vice-captain Watson says the introduction of Hogg, 41, is a boost to the side.
“He certainly is a wicket-taking bowler,” Watson said on Thursday.
“There’s no doubt the wicket is only going to turn more.”
Starc was player of the one-day series against Pakistan which ended earlier this week and was rested from Wednesday night’s T20 clash.
Friday night’s game two is due to start at 8pm (0200 Saturday AEST).
Australia: George Bailey (capt), Shane Watson, David Warner, Mike Hussey, David Hussey, Cameron White, Matthew Wade, Dan Christian, Brad Hogg, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc.
