Australia and Pakistan prepare for the desert storm

Australia hold the advantage going into the second Test against Pakistan, which starts on Friday at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium. In the end, Australian experience may count against a young Pakistan side that is still getting its act together. The decision by Wasim Akram and Saeed Anwar to rest and play two exhibition games in the UK has clearly weakened the Pakistan team.

When it comes to experience, no one in contemporary cricket has played more Test matches than the Aussie skipper Stephen Rodger Waugh. Tomorrow will mark his 150th Test appearance, second only to Allan Border's 156 in all-time Test records. Together, the Waugh twins have played 270 Test matches and scored 14,635 runs, including 47 hundreds. Steve Waugh has 104 Test catches and Mark holds the world record number of catches with a whopping 176. Though in the twilight of their careers, the Waugh twins could have a crucial role to play in the second Test.

This "home series" is being hosted at neutral venues due to security concerns which prompted Australia to refuse to tour Pakistan. The remaining two Tests are to be played in the emirate of Sharjah in UAE. In the first Test at Colombo, the inexperienced Pakistan team showed a lot of resilience to bounce back, making the all-conquering Aussies sweat it out for a 41-run win. One over from Shoaib Akthar in the Australian second innings changed the scheme of things; he dismissed Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh in four balls.

Pakistan will hope for a performance of similar fire from the "Rawalpindi Express", and for Waqar Younis to fire on all cylinders. "I'm at my best. I am running fast, and the rhythm and flow is there," Shoaib said yesterday. "I feel very strong in the legs. I'm always keen to do well against Australia. They are the best batting side in the world, and it gives me a lot of motivation to destroy this line-up."

Sharjah has provided many golden moments to Pakistani cricket. Javed Miandad's last-ball six to clinch an unbelievable victory over India in a limited-over game should still motivate young players in the current team. Pakistan have played two Tests at Sharjah, while this is Australia's first.

Given the nature of the pitch, spinners will have a crucial role to play. Shane Warne and Saqlain Mushtaq have already shown that they are in prime form, and Australia might give young off-spinner Nathan Hauritz his first Test cap. Jason Gillespie has pulled out of the series with a calf injury. If Australia decide to go in with just one spinner his place will go either to Andy Bichel or Brad Williams.

Australia may even drop one of their batsmen, which would probably be Mark Waugh. "Playing five bowlers in a Test match like this when it's going to be hard work for the bowlers in a lot of heat - that's one option that's been talked about," Steve Waugh said. But Australia might not want to leave out their best batsman of spin.

Pakistan will take heart from the performance of their new young opener Taufeeq Umar and the middle-order batsman Faisal Iqbal, both of whom impressed in the first Test. But with the injured Inzamam-ul-Haq still missing, the Aussie attack might prove a handful as it proved in the first Test.

This is going to be a battle royal. All eyes will be on Shoaib Akhtar, but Australia will no doubt come out fighting. The counter-attack might come in the form of Matthew Hayden, who has a proven record over the last couple of years. Australia will also take comfort in the good form of Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting, who top-scored with 141 in the first Test. Their bowling will rely heavily on Glenn McGrath's ability to strike early, but the real edge will be provided by Shane Warne, who has considerable success against Pakistan. Warne has picked up 60 wickets in 10 Test matches against them, and took 11/188 in the first Test of this series.

Teams (from):

Australia: Steve Waugh (captain), Justin Langer, Matt Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Andy Bichel, Nathan Hauritz, Glenn McGrath, Brad Williams.

Pakistan: Waqar Younis (captain), Taufeeq Umar, Imran Nazir, Abdur Razzaq, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Rashid Latif, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Sami.