Nathan Lyon - players.bio

2nd Test: Australia brace for Karachi challenge after Rawalpindi run-feast

Pat Cummins knows the task gets significantly tougher for his team in the second Test against Pakistan on Saturday. Australia's first Test in Pakistan in 24 years turned out to be a run-feast in Rawalpindi where 1,187 runs were scored and only 14 wickets fell, earning a "below average" rating from the match referee. After five dull days of bat dominating ball, things are likely to spice up on a dry track at Karachi's National Stadium where spin and reverse swing should ensure runs are not taken for granted. Australia have responded by harnessing debutant Mitchell Swepson with Nathan Lyon in a two-man spin attack, sacrificing the pace of Josh Hazlewood and endorsing Mitchell Starc's reverse swing skills. "The wicket here looks a little bit drier. Historically, it's bit friendlier for the spinners," Cummins told a news conference on Friday.

Australia: Mitchell Swepson ready for Test debut in Karachi

Queensland wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson has backed his state teammate Mitchell Swepson to impress should he debut in Australia’s second Test in Karachi.

Pakistan vs Australia: Steve Smith Trolls Himself In Congratulatory Tweet For Mitchell Swepson

Mitchell Swepson will make his much-awaited Test debut when Australia take on Pakistan in the second Test of the three-match series starting on Saturday at the National Stadium in Karachi. His selection in the playing XI has a special significance as he his call-up comes a week after legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne died in Thailand. Since Pat Cummins announced Australia's playing XI for the Karachi Test, many have taken to social media to congratulate Swepson, among them was Australian superstar Steve Smith.

Australia brace for Karachi challenge after Rawalpindi run-feast

KARACHI, Pakistan : Beginning a tour of the sub-continent with a draw is a result perfectly acceptable to most visiting captains but Australia skipper Pat Cummins knows the task gets significantly tougher for his team in the second test against Pakistan on Saturday.

Pakistan vs Australia: Pat Cummins Announces Australia Playing XI For 2nd Test

Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson will make his long-awaited Test debut for Australia as the tourists opted for two spinners for the second Test against Pakistan starting on Saturday. After a dreary draw on a flat Rawalpindi pitch in the first Test there is hope that Karachi will live up to its reputation of producing a result through spinners. The 28-year-old Swepson will become the first specialist leg-spinner to play a Test for Australia since Bryce McGain against South Africa in 2009. His inclusion is poignant because it comes a week after legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne died of a suspected heart attack in Thailand.

Watch: Alex Carey Accidentally Falls Into A Swimming Pool In Pakistan, Teammates Can't Stop Laughing

The Australian cricket team arrived in Karachi earlier this week ahead of the start of the second Test at the National Stadium, starting Saturday, March 12. Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey was involved in a hilarious incident after the team arrived at their hotel in Karachi. Carey, who was having a conversation with Nathan Lyon, accidentally fell into a swimming pool. The Australian players present at the scene couldn't control their laughter as even Carey was seen having a giggle about it. The moment was captured by Australian skipper Pat Cummins, who shared the video on his Instagram handle.

Pakistan vs Australia: David Warner wants a better pitch for 2nd Test against Pakistan

Australia opener David Warner said he hopes for an improved pitch for the second Test in Karachi after the visitors could claim only four Pakistan wickets in the series-opening draw on Rawalpindi's docile wicket. “I just want a game where you can actually create 20 chances,” Warner said on Thursday. “It's something that's going to be exciting and entertaining for the crowd.” Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja has acknowledged that drawn games are not a good advertisement for Test cricket and Pindi Cricket Stadium's wicket was described by Australia batter and vice captain Steve Smith as a “dead wicket.”

Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd Test: Aussies look to second spinner after Rawalpindi stalemate

The historic occasion -- Australia's first Test in Pakistan since 1998 -- was marred by a pitch described as "dead" by vice-captain Steve Smith as Pakistan piled up 728 runs for the loss of just four wickets, and one of those was a run out. Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique both made maiden Test hundreds -- Imam scoring one in each innings -- while senior batsman Azhar Ali also passed three figures during five attritional days. The series now moves to Karachi's National Stadium, a favourite hunting ground for Pakistan, who have won 23 of the 43 Tests they have played there while losing only twice. Australia have never won in Karachi in eight attempts, losing five and drawing three.

Contacts

Nathan Lyon Sport News

2nd Test: Australia brace for Karachi challenge after Rawalpindi run-feast

Australia: Mitchell Swepson ready for Test debut in Karachi

Pakistan vs Australia: Steve Smith Trolls Himself In Congratulatory Tweet For Mitchell Swepson

Australia brace for Karachi challenge after Rawalpindi run-feast

Pakistan vs Australia: Pat Cummins Announces Australia Playing XI For 2nd Test

Watch: Alex Carey Accidentally Falls Into A Swimming Pool In Pakistan, Teammates Can't Stop Laughing

Pakistan vs Australia: David Warner wants a better pitch for 2nd Test against Pakistan

Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd Test: Aussies look to second spinner after Rawalpindi stalemate