Pakistan vs Australia: Justin Langer aims to reduce the workload on top players

Australia head coach Justin Langer hinted at the fact that either Mitchell Starc or Peter Siddle could be rested for the second Test against Pakistan. The visiting Australian side, playing without their controversial trio of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, were somehow able to draw the first Test in Dubai after a gritty knock from Usman Khawaja. Making a comeback to Test cricket, Peter Siddle made a telling impact as he bagged three wickets in the first innings. Starc, on the other hand, finished with a couple of scalps in the Test match.

Langer mentioned that the team is pondering over how to manage the workload of the pacers during the ongoing Pakistan series. Conditions in the UAE are testing, especially with the desert heat draining players out during the course of the day. The Australians were also made to field for over a day and a half in the first Test as Pakistan piled up the runs. It is important their pacers are in good nick before they head back home to prepare for the much-awaited Test series against India which kicks off later this year.

“Starcy (Mitchell Starc) bowled a lot of overs first innings, we certainly understand that. It’s always the million-dollar question, what do we do with the fast bowlers?” Langer was quoted as saying by Cricket 365.

Important to preserve Starc for World Cup, Ashes

Fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle toiled hard in Dubai bowling a total of 73.2 overs across two innings. The former Australian opener also touched upon the importance of preserving the quicks for the ICC World Cup in England next year, which will be followed by the Ashes.

“Because if we’ve got our fast bowlers, particularly in Australia or going forward to England next year, like the opening partnership (or) the top three (batters, they are) incredibly important to Australia being successful. We’ll manage it. It’s the start of the season and hopefully, we’ll manage them well throughout the summer and this tour so far,” he said.

Australia have uncapped quicks Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett in reserve, but with the series on the line, they may be reluctant to rest Starc or Siddle. Managing strike bowler Mitchell Starc’s workload will be crucial, considering regulars Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are ruled out with injuries. The second Test between Pakistan and Australia gets underway on October 16 in Abu Dhabi.

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