Australia knew their batting and bowling would be tested by the unfamiliar conditions in Pakistan, but the nature of the pitches has also thrown up unique challenges to those fielding behind the stumps.
The understanding between wicketkeeper and first slip is arguably more important than any other pairing in the field and, like any new relationship, it can take time to develop.
Since Alex Carey replaced Tim Paine at the start of the Australian summer there have been growing pains in their communication that have seen balls squirt through a gap between them, or one going for a catch that probably would have been better left for the other.
But at least in Australia they know how far back they need to be beside the stumps and how close to stand next to each other; in Pakistan it hasn’t always been easy to work out.
For someone like Steve Smith, who relies on familiar routines and patterns and can be agitated when things are out of place, standing in front of Carey must be especially disorientating.
The low bounce makes it necessary of course but the unfamiliar position is clearly not always comfortable and three dropped catches in the second Test at Karachi by one of the world’s best slips fielders is testament to the difficulty of adjusting to the change in bounce and speed of the ball of the bat.
Smith dropped Abdullah Shafique at a crucial stage of Pakistan’s second innings; Shafique was on 20 and Pakistan were 2-28. It was a costly drop, Shafique went on to make 96 before Smith successfully claimed another chance off Pat Cummins bowling.
That drop was a chance, nicked straight towards Smith midsection, that he would almost certainly have taken in Australia when standing in his usual position.
“Yeah, it's been a real challenge,” said Smith. “I've never stood as close to the bat in my life in any conditions.
“There's just been no bounce in the wickets.
“So you know, part of our our plan is to ensure that the ball carries as much as possible so that the bowlers and Patty [Cummins] are happy if we drop chances, as long as they're getting to us.
“So we're getting ourselves in very close positions where it's been exceptionally difficult.
“You know, I was I was just looking the other day facing Starkey and [Cummins], I was probably only three steps further back than where I would be for Nathan Lyon in Australia.
“So the reaction time isn't great and obviously I dropped one there last week. It just really just rushed me.”
“And then I got one obviously bit later when Shafique gave another opportunity. It was just that a perfect height and that's kind of how it's got to be, if it's outside of those areas it's going to be a very good catch how close we are."
Another tough chance went begging when Babar Azam edged Pat Cummins in between Carey and Smith; Smith dived to his left in an attempt to take a one-handed catch that could have been left for Carey.
“The one that went between ‘Smudge’ and I, we got away with it because we got the wicket the next over,” said Carey. “But it's a unique position, so we, I guess, are learning straightaway.
“If you are ahead [of one another], the width, all that stuff is going to come because we don't often do it in Australia.
“So it was basically yeah, you go in front and, if you see it, go. He did that, which is absolutely fine.
“We're learning conditions, we're learning fields, we're playing more games together.
“I guess we'll be judged on outcomes, but I think that the way that we're playing, the way that we're preparing, who knows what's going to happen next Test, but I feel really confident that this group's doing everything right to get that reward over here in the subcontinent.”
Carey’s tenure as Test wicketkeeper had a somewhat patchy start, with several dropped catches during the Ashes series. But he has shown safe hand and a clarity of movement behind the stumps in the first two Tests that suggests he has been adapting quickly to the challenging pitches.
“Look it is different,” Carey said. “It's challenging, you’re out there, I don't think I've ever kept 170 overs straight, so going 160 in Islamabad to170 last game, there’s some time into the legs.”
Carey has spoken to a number of former Test wicketkeepers, including Adam Gilchrist, Brad Haddin and Ian Healy about how to approach the role in the subcontinent and, along with the slips fielders has been running drills that try to replicate the low bounce, be it spin, pace or the swing that has played a role in the series so far.
“It's hard to prepare for that,” said Carey. “I think you get your basics. You try to have a pretty low and strong base and from there it's a bit reactive; reverse swing ball, standing closer than we do in Australia.
“There's no tape on the fingers yet, so hopefully that stays the same way, but it's also great fun.”
Just how much fun it will be if crucial catches go down in the deciding Test at Gaddafi Stadium remains to be seen, especially when bowlers have been on the wrong end of the contest for much of the series so far.
And with another tight turnaround between Tests, there’s little time to get it right.
“It's been difficult and difficult to adjust, but we're working on it at training,” said Smith. “We're doing very close nicks that are coming low and fast.
“And that's all you can really do and just fingers crossed that they stick.”
