SHARJAH // Mitchell Johnson will be a major threat for Australia in the Test series against Pakistan, despite conditions in the UAE likely being against him.
That is the view of Michael Clarke, the Australia captain, who will make his own return to cricket after injury in a four-day match against Pakistan A in Sharjah, starting on Wednesday.
Johnson established himself as arguably the sport’s most-fearsome bowler last winter during an Ashes win over England, then during a series in South Africa.
In each of those series, he was presented with the sort of fast, bouncy pitches upon which he might be expected to revel.
The prevailing wickets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the two-Test series are likely to be the direct opposite, though.
The four-day warm-up match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium will provide a glimpse of what is to follow, with low bounce, minimal sideways movement and energy-sapping heat to go with it.
However, Clarke is confident Johnson can still challenge Pakistan’s batsmen, given that he is managed correctly.
“Conditions were a lot different in South Africa and Australia to what they are going to be here, so I’m going to have to be smart in the way I use Mitchell,” Clarke said.
“A lot of bowlers like to build up their momentum and rhythm. Glenn McGrath was a great example – the longer he bowled, the better he got – whereas Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson are power athletes. The first ball of their spell can be as fast as the last.”
Pakistan have a formidable record in the UAE. Australia, who beat them in two Tests in Sharjah in 2002, remain the only side to have won a UAE series against Pakistan in the longest format.
The nominal home side have yet to name their squad for the first Test in Dubai, but they are sure to be without many key players.
Saeed Ajmal, the off-spinner, is the most high-profile absentee. He remains suspended pending remedial work on his illegal bowling motion.
They will also be without leading left-arm pace-bowlers Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz, because of injury.
Clarke says the host side should not be underestimated, though.
“Pakistan in general are a very talented team in all formats of the game,” Clarke said.
“They have always had good spin bowlers, good fast bowlers as well. They are going to be the two major areas for both teams throughout this series – how you face spin and reverse-swing, and how you bowl spin and reverse-swing.
“That will be the key deciding factor for the winner in this series.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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