Daily Times

Mitch Marsh has defended Australia’s short-pitched approach to Pakistan’s tail, despite Pakistan adding 86 runs for the last wicket at the SCG.

Pakistan were able to fight their way back into the game late on day one, after they had slumped to 9-227 in their first innings.

Aamir Jamal was the mainstay late for the tourists, belting four sixes as he hit his way to 82 from 97 balls amid a sustained battering of short-pitched bowling early from the quicks.

Australia had enjoyed success with short-pitched bowling before the partnership, with all four earlier wickets coming from balls banged in at the body in a collapse of 4-37.

The hosts also ran through Pakistan’s tail with a short-ball approach in the fourth innings at the MCG last week, killing off the chase with a run of 5-18.

But with the ball becoming softer on Wednesday, Aamir opted to take on the bouncers even with a field set back on the legside for shorter balls.

“You’ve always got to back in what you’re doing, certainly when you’re bowling to a tail-ender,” Marsh said.

“He could easily hit one of those straight up and we weren’t necessarily waiting for that to happen but I honestly think he batted unbelievably well.

“We saw a potential weakness to the short ball last game, the ball got old, slower wicket and he played exceptionally well. It was hard work.”

Australia’s tactics came after they also opted for a short-ball approach with fielders back late in both innings of the crucial Headingley Test in the Ashes.

Pat Cummins has since admitted he would have changed Australia’s approach in that match if he had his time over, while his team stopped going short to Mark Wood in the last two Tests.

On Wednesday, Aamir said he knew the short balls were coming for him at the SCG and he made a decision to take them on after being hit by Mitchell Starc.

Two sixes were hit off Josh Hazlewood in his 82, at a time where Australia had men setback for the tactic.

“The discussion in our camp has been that as soon as our batters from No 7 and 8 onward walk out to bat, they start targeting us with bouncers,” Aamir said.

“I had told the guys in the dressing-room that whatever they do and however often I get hit or wherever I get hit, I will go out and take on the bouncer today.”