KARACHI, 3 November 2004 — Pakistan’s batsmen will need to be mentally tough in Australia this month to combat the likes of Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie, says coach Bob Woolmer.
“The Pakistan side has a lot of talent. But there are certain disciplines needed for an Australian tour which is always tough for touring sides,” the Briton said in an interview before leaving for home on Monday.
He will join the Pakistan team before their One-Day International against India in Calcutta on Nov. 13.
Pakistan go to Australia this month to play three Tests and take part in the VB one-day triangular series with Australia and the West Indies.
Pakistan have never won a Test series in Australia despite managing single Test wins in 1977, 79-80, 1981 and 1995.
“Australia has been dominating world cricket for a long time now and they have been unbeatable at home. The way Gillespie has been hitting the stumps in India, it is admirable,” Woolmer said.
“To stand up to them the batsmen will have to learn the art of leaving the ball on the bouncy wickets there. Something that the New Zealanders have managed well against them in recent times,” he added.
Pakistan completed their international home season on Monday with a six wickets win over Sri Lanka to draw a two-match Test series.
But they lost the final of a one-day three-nation tournament to Sri Lanka in Lahore and the first Test in Faisalabad.
“To win in Australia a touring side has to be very disciplined in many areas of the game and stick to a game plan. We are working on it,” said Woolmer.
Admitting that Pakistan had yet to find a settled opening pair, he said Pakistan’s strength lay in their bowling attack.
“I thought in the absence of Shoaib Akhtar, Muhammad Sami and Shabbir Ahmed in the second Test against Sri Lanka the back up bowlers did a magnificent job. This is a plus for us.”
Captain Inzamam ul-Haq said confidence would be the key to doing well against the World Champions.
“If you go to Australia with a couple of victories behind you it helps you to adjust better to the Australian conditions.
We are keen to go there with a win over India also,” said Inzamam, who has made four tours to Australia starting with the 1992 World Cup.
