Countering Yasir will be the key, Siddle says

Australia land in the UAE for upcoming Test series

Surviving the wiles of Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah is Australia’s “No. 1 plan” in the upcoming Test series in the UAE, fast bowler Peter Siddle has said.

Yasir played a key role in Australia’s unravelling during the last UAE tour in 2014, when the leg spinner took 12 wickets at an average of 17.25 to drive the hosts to a thumping 2-0 win in the two-Test series.

Four years later, a raw Australia squad has returned to the UAE without two of their best batsmen in the suspended Steve Smith and David Warner, and would appear vulnerable to another spin bowling assault from Sarfraz Ahmad’s team.

Looking to counter Yasir and 19-year-old prodigy Shadab Khan, Australia have re-hired spin bowling consultant Sridharan Sriram and flown in two Indian wristspinners, including Pardeep Sahu, who has played for Kings XI Punjab.

Siddle said the tourists had spent plenty of time in the Dubai heat working out ways to deal with legspin and Yasir, specifically. “He’s [Yasir] going to play a big part,” said the veteran paceman.

“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 No. 1 plan to keep him out.

“But he’s not the only one we’ve got to focus on as we get closer.” Recalled to the Test squad for the first time in two years, 33-year-old Siddle expects to play a support role behind Australia’s own spinners but believes the Dubai wicket could be more lively than usual after hosting the Asia Cup.