SYDNEY: Skipper Tim Paine vowed Austra­lia will play ‘hard but fair’ against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates as they embark on their first Test tour since a ball-tampering scandal and with fresh controversy raging following allegations by England’s Moeen Ali.

The squad jetted out late on Wednesday for their first Test series since the ill-fated tour of South Africa early this year, which led to 12-month suspensions for Steve Smith and David Warner and an outpouring of public anger.

Australia have five uncapped players in their squad for a tour in which they plan to adopt a more respectful culture and move away from the win-at-all-costs mentality blamed for the explosive ball-tampering row.

“The Australian way has always been to play hard and fair and that’ll be no different this series,” Paine told reporters before departing for Dubai.

“There are always a lot of eyes on the Australian cricket team wherever we play, so that will be no different, and this team is really clear on what’s expected and our standards, and we’ll uphold them.”

Two reviews into the state of the game were set up in the aftermath of South Africa — one focusing on the culture within Cricket Australia and the other into the team.

While the team has had a shake-up and Darren Lehmann was replaced as coach by Justin Langer, they open the two-Test series days after further off-field problems emerged after Moeen said in his autobiography that an Australian player called him ‘Osama’ during the 2015 Ashes.

Moeen, a practising Muslim, said he was on the receiving end of the slur, a reference to terror leader Osama bin Laden, from an unnamed opponent during his Ashes debut against in Cardiff.

Cricket Australia has launched an investigation, calling the comment ‘unacceptable’.

With Smith, Warner and fellow ball-tamperer Cameron Bancroft missing, along with injured fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, it could be a tough tour for Australia, who have one of their weakest squads in years.

There are five debutants — Queensland trio Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett and Marnus Labuschagne, South Australia’s Travis Head and Victoria’s Aaron Finch.

Paine said a patient approach would be required to counter the conditions — something they failed to accomplish in a 2-0 trouncing by Pakistan on their last visit to the UAE in 2014 — while expecting a demanding tour played in temperatures likely to hit 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

“We are going to have to play really hard, tough cricket particularly from the batting side,” he said. “And then in the heat over there, it’s the same for our bowlers; it’s going to be about patience, trying to wear them down and being in a position late in the game where we can make a move.”

Matt Renshaw, who was dumped ahead of the Ashes late last year, is likely to open along with Finch, who is an experienced one-day and Twenty20 campaigner but has never played a Test.

A slimmed-down Usman Khawaja, who says he has lost several kilos after stepping up his training regime, is expected to come in a number three with Shaun Marsh at four and potentially Head at five.

“We have spoken about partnerships and patience and pressure, which is going to be a real key over there,” said Paine.

The Australia captain further said he will need to use his fast bowlers in short spells in the series if they are to defy hard, slow pitches and high temperatures in the UAE.

With injuries to regular fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, Australia have included a uncapped duo Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser in their squad and recalled veteran Peter Siddle for the two-match series next month.

“It’s going to be over 40 degrees and really high humidity so we’re going to have to be clever about how we use our bowlers,” Paine stated.

Australia have not won a Test series in Asia since 2011 and their success this time could depend on left-arm quick Mitchell Starc, who picked up 24 wickets in Sri Lanka in 2016.

The 28-year-old will return to action from a foot stress injury and Paine has hinted going a little off script to bring the best out of his trump card in grinding conditions.

“I expect him to be bowling short spells and as fast as he can,” Paine added. “We’re hopeful no, we’re sure Starcy will have a really big series, and if he does, it will go a long way towards winning it for us.”

Pakistan have hosted most of their international matches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah since 2009 when a gun and grenade attack injured six Sri Lankan players in Lahore, while killing eight Pakistanis.

Australia play the first Test against Pakistan from Oct 7 in Dubai, followed by the second test at Abu Dhabi from Oct 16.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2018