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| 03 November 2004 | Wednesday | 19 Ramazan 1425 |
Pakistan need discipline for Australian tour, says Woolmer
KARACHI, Nov 2: Pakistan are a talented side but need a resilient mindset and improvement in technique to face Australia at their home ground next month, the team's English coach Bob Woolmer said on Tuesday.
"This side has the talent but there are certain disciplines needed for the Australian tour, which is always a big test for the touring team," Woolmer told AFP.
The 56-year-old former South Africa coach replaced Pakistan great Javed Miandad in June following a series defeat against India earlier this year.
Pakistan, who beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second Test on Monday to level the series 1-1, play three Tests and a one-day tri-series in Australia, also involving the West Indies.
Ahead of the Australian tour, Pakistan play a one-off one-day match in Kolkata on Nov 13 to mark the 75-year celebrations of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
"A side must be disciplined in all areas and mentally tough to stand before Australia who have been dominating the world of cricket," said Woolmer, who played 19 Tests for England before coaching South Africa between 1994 and 1999.
Under Woolmer Pakistan have won 11 of 16 one-day games and lost four. One was washed out due to rain.
He said fitness and disciplined batting were the key areas for improvement.
"We need to go a fair distance in fitness and then develop the discipline of leaving the ball which the New Zealanders have done well and that's why they do well in Australia," said Woolmer, under whom South Africa remained the second best team behind Australia.
Australia are currently touring India where they recorded their first series win on Indian soil in 35 years, with their pace attack trio of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz demolishing the hosts.
"The way Gillespie is hitting the stumps in India is admirable, so the batsmen need mental toughness to face the likes of these bowlers," he said.
Pakistan have never won a Test series in their last eight attempts in Australia and were thrashed 3-0 in on their last tour in 1999.
Batting is still Pakistan's bane: they made heavy weather of the 137-run target they chased to win against Sri Lanka on Monday.
"It is an open secret that our openers haven't fired as yet but the positive was the way Shoaib Malik and Abdul Razzaq fought to ensure a win," said Woolmer of Shoaib who finished 53 not out and Razzaq 35 not out.
Woolmer, who was leaving for home to celebrate his wedding anniversary on Tuesday, will join the team in India and then fly to Pakistan for a training camp before the start of the Australia tour.-AFP
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