Veteran Australia fast bowler has singled out countering Yasir Shah as Pakistan’s “number one plan” when the two sides meet in the Test series at the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The wily leg-spinner spun his way to 12 wickets, averaging 17.25 and played a crucial role in helping Pakistan beat Australia 2-0 the last time they played in the UAE.
Now, it’s a fresh Australian side that return to the UAE and this time, they’d be without two of their main batsmen in Steve Smith and David Warner and hence, countering soon would be difficult for Tim Paine’s team.
The Australian team has roped in the services of spin consultant Sridharan Sriram and two Indian wrist-spinners in a bid to counter Yasir and the 19-year old Shadab Khan.
“He’s (Yasir) going to play a big part,” Siddle said, as quoted by The Indian Express.
“Spin bowling in this series is going to play a massive part.
“I think it’s going to be a tough contest. He bowled well against us last series over here. He took a lot of wickets, so I think it’s going to be number one plan to keep him out.
Siddle returns to the Australian Test team after a two-year period and he expects the wicket to break up and help the spinners.
“I think the last series we came here, the wicket was a bit more flat,” Siddle said.
This would be Australia’s first Test assignment since that ball-tampering scandal in the tour of South Africa after hwoch Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft were handed suspensions.
But with a new coach in Justin Langer and a new captain in Tim Paine, the Aussies would look forward to build a strong side ahead of the much-anticipated home series against India, later this year.
With big named like Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins being ruled out the tour owing to injury, Siddle said that his experience played a solid part in his recall to the national team.
Said the paceman, “From an outside point of view, the side probably in the last little bit maybe lacked a little bit of leadership.”
“I think without having the captaincy or vice-captaincy or any of those terms, it’s just about being a leader in my own right, doing what I do, lead by example and just help out the young guys,” he also added.