Clarke wary of Pakistan attack (From Asian Image)

Clarke wary of Pakistan attack

8:40am Saturday 10th July 2010 in

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Australia batsman Michael Clarke expects a closely-fought Test series against Pakistan after his side’s recent dominance over their sub-continental rivals was ended with a 2-0 Twenty20 series defeat.

Pakistan sealed the series win with an 11-run success at Edgbaston, after they bowled Australia out for the second consecutive game.

It served to end Australia’s recent hold over Pakistan, which had seen them lose their previous 12 matches in all formats - including a winless tour Down Under in the winter.

Clarke is wary of Pakistan’s bowling attack after watching his side capitulate in both games, with teenage left-armer Mohammad Aamer underlining his rising star with three wickets in each game.

Umar Gul also returned to form after injury and with Mohammad Asif to rejoin the squad for the two-Test series, which begins at Lord’s next week, Clarke believes England conditions could suit Pakistan.

”If it’s overcast in England, it generally swings all day,” he added.

”Pakistan’s bowling was outstanding again. I think we can learn a lot from the way they bowl at the death. Umar Gul is outstanding and they are going to be tough opposition in the Tests.

”They are going to have a very good attack so our batters are going to have be at our best. I imagine they will get the Duke ball to swing in conditions which, if it is overcast, are going to be quite tough.

”I think we are going to be in for a really good Test series.”

Pakistan will need to overcome another unflattering sequence of results against Australia if they are to maintain their Twenty20 form, after losing their past 12 Tests against their Antipodean rivals.

Pakistan’s most recent success arrived in 1995 at Sydney, when current coach Waqar Younis led their attack.

Waqar has overseen a changing of the guard in Pakistani cricket since he took charge with the likes of the 18-year-old Aamer and promising batsman Umar Akmal starring in the Twenty20 series win.

Umar cracked a match-winning 64 from 31 balls in the opening match 23-run win, after which Waqar claimed the 20-year-old was the best young player he had seen for 20 years.

And Waqar hopes their youthful enthusiasm can help spur his side on to a breakthrough Test success over Australia at HQ next week.

”I think these two wins are really going to help us to get into the momentum,” Waqar said.

”Test matches are a different ball game fair enough, but with victory behind you it always helps.

”Test match cricket is a different ball game - it’s a Test match so we have to really come out better than this to beat these guys.

”We are looking to bring more youngsters in and rebuild the whole thing again. We lost Mohammad Yousuf, Younus Khan and Misbah ul-Haq so we are in a phase where we are bringing the youngsters in.

”Umar Akmal is extraordinary then we also have Mohammad Aamer. We have got a couple of other youngsters in Umar Amin and Wahab Riaz there so we are thinking of putting them in the Test matches and seeing how they come out.”

Waqar also agreed conditions could favour his side, adding: “If you look back in the past two decades we hardly lost a Test series here in England.

”That’s a plus, we know the conditions well. We have a young side so it will be a great experience for them. These two to three months will help develop a very fine young side.”

By Matt Somerford