India look to increase Cook’s woes
Arthur’s Pakistan aim for Australia history
NEW DELHI, Dec 14, (AFP): A rampant India will look to create history in the fifth and final Test against England from Friday by piling more misery on Alastair Cook in what could be his last outing as the tourists’ skipper.
After completing an innings victory in the fourth Test on Monday in Mumbai, Virat Kohli’s men will become the first Indian team to go unbeaten in 18 matches by avoiding defeat in the series finale in Chennai.
The majestic Kohli, who is in the form of his life after striking his third double century of the year, is no mood to ease up on their beleaguered visitors.
After putting the outcome of the series beyond doubt, Kohli said India would now “really express ourselves fully” in Chennai and hope to make it 4-0 against opponents who had been something of a bogey team.
England had won their last three series against India, including their tour in 2012 at the start of Cook’s record-breaking tenure as captain.
Four years on, Cook’s appetite for the job is being increasingly called into question and the skipper himself has spoken of the possibility of stepping down while continuing to be available for selection as a batsman.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan team, six years in the making and armed with insider knowledge from coach Mickey Arthur, are poised to make history in Australia, veteran skipper Misbah-ul-Haq said Wednesday.
Misbah, who exerts a calming influence on the mercurial Pakistanis, believes the side has developed into one that can finally deliver a series win after 11 fruitless tours to Australia.
CRICKET
Pakistan have won only four of their 32 Tests Down Under and have lost their last nine Tests since their last victory in Sydney in 1995.
No team from the sub-continent has won a Test series in Australia, further underlining the massive undertaking.
But Misbah, who scored just 76 runs in four innings in his only tour to Australia in 2009-10, is confident the tourists can turn things around against Steve Smith’s men, who are themselves emerging from a recent losing five-Test run.
“We took almost six years to develop this team and that team showed a lot to the world when we played in England and in ‘home’ conditions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi,” he told reporters ahead of Thursday’s daynight Test at Brisbane’s Gabba.
“So we have a lot of faith and confidence behind that. These players are experienced enough and they have the belief that they can do it.
“We’ve had some unbelievable successes in the past. I think those victories and those performances always give you confidence, even in Australia,” Misbah said.
“No doubt the conditions are tough but once you have confidence and belief I think you can change the history.”
Much of Pakistan’s confidence flows from the insights coach Arthur has on the Australians after his time as their national coach up to his sacking ahead of the 2013 Ashes series in England.
“He knows the ins and outs of most of the players, he knows their strengths and weaknesses,” the captain said.
“That’s always helpful when you have that sort of inside information about the opposition.