Challenging for attention

In case you hadn't noticed, there is currently a three-game ODI series in progress between Australia and Pakistan in the middle of the Australian winter. Pretentiously dubbed Super Challenge II, even for diehard cricket fans it is difficult to get enthused about this venture when there is rather more compelling action taking place in Korea and Japan. Super Challenge? The super challenge for keen sports watchers is not to switch channels to the World Cup.

But if we can drag ourselves away from the football drama for a while, there are a few reasons to watch the one-day cricket in Australia. One is the anticipated showdown between Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar (who ironically both missed the first game), as the world's two fastest bowlers go head-to-head against each other using the same speed gun technology. Another is... well, presumably the series will have revealed the features that necessitated its scheduling by the third game.

The inaugural "Super Challenge" was staged two years ago between Australia and South Africa. Then, the series cashed in on the heightened one-day rivalry between the two teams in the wake of the famous (cricket) World Cup semifinal, as well as pioneered international cricket under a roof in Melbourne's Colonial stadium. Now, there is neither a keen rivalry to exploit nor a novelty concept to pioneer, so anticipation is accordingly muted. Aside from Shoaib-Lee, there is little that marks this contest as more than just-another-ODI-series.

From a serious cricket perspective, though, what the series does quietly herald is the beginning of the final phase of World Cup preparations. With a limited number of one-day series to come before the 2003 event, now is more or less the time to begin fine-tuning personnel and planning towards an ideal campaign.

With Australia having established some sort of mastery over South Africa, reigning 1999 finalists Pakistan and Australia are two of the hottest favourites for next year's Cup. The series between them now, and the mooted tri-series in Pakistan to come, should be a preview of one of the biggest matches at the Cup (Australia and Pakistan are in the same pool).

After Australia's 5-1 thumping of South Africa and Pakistan's demolition of Sri Lanka and New Zealand in recent months, these are two teams which would seem happy to start the World Cup tomorrow. Yet as for any side, there are still a couple of areas where both should seek improvement in the next six months, starting with the series against each other. (Note: At time of writing, the first game was just getting underway).

The foremost task for Pakistan is simply to beat Australia again and end the Aussies' psychological supremacy. Waqar Younis's Pakistan are a form team on the up once more, winning 15 of their 19 ODIS in 2001/'02. However, Pakistan's recent record against Australia is a decidedly different story. In the last 10 ODIs between the teams stretching back to the 1999 Cup final, Pakistan have won two and lost eight. Tellingly, the three heaviest losses have all been finals - the Cup final (8 wickets), the two tri-series finals in Australia in `99/'00 (6 wickets and 152 runs) and last year's NatWest final in England (9 wickets).

Pakistan has a problem performing against Australia, which is exacerbated in pressure matches, although that could say more about Australia than it does about Pakistan. Here the pressure is spread evenly over three games rather than a single tournament final, but victory for Pakistan is important insofar as breaking the trend and shaking off Australia's psychological dominance ahead of potentially more significant games.

Abdur Razzaq and Saqlain Mushtaq are absent, but that need not be a negative. If a Saqlain or an Akram breaks down on the eve of the tournament, having backup players with some experience will be very useful. For Pakistan, the more games for the likes of Shoaib Malik and Mohammed Sami, the better.

For Australia, the series represents the second Test of their new ODI leader, Ricky Ponting. Succeeding the deposed Steve Waugh in South Africa he did better than could have been hoped, leading a comprehensive triumph and making runs with the bat. Any slip-up between now and the World Cup will build pressure on Ponting, though, as the question will inevitably be asked whether Waugh could have done better. This is just one of several challenges and when Australia do lose a series or bow out of a tournament, it will be interesting to monitor how Ponting responds.

Though Australia and Pakistan are relatively evenly matched, where Pakistan does compare favourably is its all-rounders. Whereas Pakistan can call upon Azhar Mahmood or Razzaq, and now Shoaib Malik, Australia has tried Shane Lee, Ian Harvey and Andrew Symonds, with all failing to completely convince. The lack of a quality all-rounder, particularly to contribute as a legitimate fifth bowler, is Australia's biggest one-day weakness.

While Darren Lehmann's left-arm spinners have proved useful recently, a genuine fifth option is preferable. To complete the team, Australia need Shane Watson to develop quickly, though it's questionable whether even he will be a long-term bowling answer. Watson struggled in his first four games in South Africa, returning just 37 runs and a wicket, but with Symonds and Harvey overlooked he appears to be the future. It's quite a challenge, and though he does have some time, Watson needs to make progress.

With Mark Waugh gone, Gilchrist and Hayden appear reasonably settled as Australia's opening combination, but Pakistan have some decisions to make. Between now and the World Cup, they need to decide on their best opening pair. Shahid Afridi, who has done the job again recently, has been treading water throughout his career and averages only 25. His explosive approach is unlikely to be well suited to South African pitches. With the return from injury of Saeed Anwar, Pakistan would probably be best served by pairing Anwar and Imran Nazir and lowering Afridi down the order, to pinch-hit as required.

Both sides possess strong batting line-ups which should carry them through to the Cup with few changes, and with Wasim and Waqar Pakistan have a vastly experienced and potent attack. With McGrath and Warne, Australia does too, but whereas Shoaib Akhtar has a fine ODI record, Australia's third fast-bowling slot is somewhat problematic.

Brett Lee remains an explosive yet erratic one-day bowler, his economy rate a cause for concern. The attention may be on whether Lee can bowl faster than Shoaib, but what he really needs to prove is that he can be a relied upon to produce an accurate spell at a crucial stage. In last season's tri-series, Lee conceded 4.9 runs per over, and in South Africa it was 5.82. Lee is undoubtedly aware he needs to conquer the express bowler's dilemma of being disciplined and economical without compromising his wicket-taking ability. Perhaps Shoaib can offer him tips. Lee has to show Ponting that he can be trusted to maintain pressure, not just shake up batsmen.

With these points resolved, there is every reason to think Australia and Pakistan will meet again in the latter stages of the World Cup, even if it is a different Cup capturing our imagination at the moment.

More Columns

Mail Daniel Laidlaw