Cricket Australia faces a monumental challenge this summer in rallying fans and viewers for the upcoming five Tests. With crowd attendance at an all time low over the past 10 years, it is going to be a struggle, from 22,000 in 2020 down to 14,000 in 2023. It's not looking good. The lineup, consisting of three intense matches against Pakistan followed by a subsequent two-game series against the West Indies, emerges as a significant mismatch in terms of anticipated competitiveness and historical trends.
This season's scheduling marks a distinctive phase since the inception of dual-nation Test tours in 1978-79. Noteworthy is the historical trend: in the nascent stages of these dual-team tours, Australia encountered setbacks, registering losses in the initial 10 instances. However, the narrative of Australia's prowess has evolved notably over the past 25 years. This period aligns with the proliferation of Test cricket teams globally, coinciding with Australia's ascendancy in strength and performance.
A significant narrative emerges concerning Pakistan's historical encounters against Australia on home turf. The ominous statistic of Australia consistently emerging victorious in home matches against dual opponents adds weight to the challenge Pakistan faces as they gear up for this season's battle. Instances like Steve Waugh's dominant sweep of Pakistan and India in the 1999-2000 series or Ricky Ponting's commanding 2-0 and 3-0 victories against New Zealand and Pakistan underline the uphill task for the visiting teams.
The stage is set for a captivating series, where history intertwines with the pursuit of contemporary glory. The narrative is poised to unveil whether Australia will continue their dominance or if Pakistan can script an underdog story by defying historical odds.
Historical Reflections: Dominance and Draws
There have been instances where Australia remained undefeated during summers, with rain or opposition resilience resulting in at least one draw:
1987-88: Victories against New Zealand, a draw with England in the Bicentenary Test, and triumph over Sri Lanka.
1997-98: New Zealand's 2-0 defeat and two draws against South Africa.
2001-02: Three draws against New Zealand and a 3-0 win over South Africa.
2005-06: A mixed bag with a win against ICC World XI, a 3-0 win over the Windies, and a 2-0 victory over South Africa.
2009-10: A draw against the West Indies followed by a 3-0 victory against Pakistan.
2015-16: Draws for both the Black Caps and the Windies, with respective losses in their other two Tests.
2022-23: Windies' lackluster performance and South Africa's escape from a sweep due to rain.
Summary of first test match vs Pakistan
Australia's dominant win against Pakistan in Perth's Test marked Nathan Lyon's 500th Test wicket, joining elite company with Warne and McGrath. The 360-run victory within four days showcased Australia's prowess, as Pakistan struggled against a challenging pitch. Lyon's milestone, dismissing Faheem Ashraf, highlighted his impactful return from injury with a five-wicket haul.
Facing a daunting 450-run target, Pakistan faltered against Australia's pace attack led by Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins. Despite glimpses of promise from Pakistan's debutant bowlers Shahzad and Jamal, Australia's Warner, Marsh, and Khawaja shone, contributing significantly to the win. The historic turnout at the Perth Test contrasted Pakistan's prolonged struggle in Australian conditions, highlighting the team's need for improvement.
In essence, Australia's clinical display, Lyon's milestone, and Pakistan's ongoing challenges in Australia defined this significant Test match will to Australia.
Summer predictions
This summer will allow the Aussies to flex their muscles and show why they are the world test champions! The struggling Pakistan and the West Indies will show little fight in the 4 remaining test matches.
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