Australia have named an unchanged XI for the third Test against Pakistan in Lahore.
The series is currently tied after two draws and, speaking ahead of Australia’s final training session, Pat Cummins said he expects the Gaddafi Stadium pitch to be similar to the ones used in the first two matches in Rawalpindi and Karachi.
“It looks quite similar,” Cummins said.
“There’s not a lot of grass on it.
“I think it's had quite a lot of traffic throughout the PSL on it as well.
“It seems hard but I can't see it being too much different from the other ones.
“So yeah, we feel like we've got all bases covered, if needed, for reverse swing or spin later in the game.”
Cummins said the bowlers pulled up injury free and feel fresh despite the four-day turnaround from Karachi, where Australia fielded for more than five sessions in the final two days but were unable to take ten wickets and secure a victory.
While playing three back-to-back Tests places a heavy load on Cummins and Mitchell Starc, Starc’s ability to reverse the ball, particularly during Pakistan’s first innings in Karachi, gave him the edge with selectors over Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland.
“I think only having two quick bowlers, reverse swing is going to be the biggest factor and I thought the way Starcy played last game was fantastic, three wickets in the first innings,” Cummins said.
“It's always tough leaving out someone like Joshy, even Scotty Boland on the bench.
“But I think the class and the different stuff [Starc] brings as a left-armer, a bit more airspeed, we think he probably gives us the best chance to take 20 wickets.”
Mitchell Swepson will again take on the second spinner’s role after a mixed debut in which he struggled with lengths at times but bowled one particularly good spell and had three chances put down off his bowling.
Cummins believes Australia have had the right tactics and approach throughout the series but have paid a heavy price for dropped catches, sometimes at crucial moments and, if the pitch proves to be another challenging one for the bowlers, there will be little margin for errors in the field.
“I think what's what's been clear, especially this week, was the way we've gone about it is the right way,” Cummins said.
“I've been really happy with how everyone's gone about their own work and with the tactics.
“It's a matter of taking those chances. Wickets are at a premium in this series, so you can't afford to drop too many chances.
“We created more than 10 chances [in the second innings at Karachi], we just didn’t unfortunately take it so that's going to be the challenge this week.
“But I think nothing changes the way we've we've gone about it. It has proven, I think, it's the right method."
