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'Pretty ordinary': Aussie cricket greats roast 'unattractive' pitch

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·3-min read
Steve Smith (pictured left) walking off after being dismissed and (pictured right) two batters walking out to the crease.
The cricket pitch on Day 2 in Lahore has been slammed for being 'ordinary' according to two former Aussie cricketers. (Getty Images)

Aussie cricket greats have taken aim at the Day 2 pitch in at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore for not bringing the quick bowlers into the Test.

Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith's latest half-centuries helped Australia reach 5-232 at stumps on day one.

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A late wobble, after some great bowling from Naseem Shah, saw Pakistan rally to finish Day 1 on an even playing field.

However, ahead of Day 2, Aussie greats Mark Waugh and Brad Haddin weren't impressed with the state of the pitch.

“I thought it was pretty ordinary,” Waugh said on Fox Cricket.

“I don’t like these Test pitches where the quicks can’t bowl short stuff.

“It’s been a theme all series that. Intimidation is a big part of Test cricket so I don’t like these pitches where it’s bouncing (not high enough) ... it’s not good for cricket so I’d like to see a bit more bounce and pace in these pitches."

Haddin agreed and said while there may be a result on this pitch, it still wasn't good enough.

“One of their strengths is fast bowling. Even if it’s low, put some grass on it and let the quicks challenge both sides of the bat," he added.

“I agree we need to get better pitches so it’s more attractive.”

Usman Khawaja praises Steve Smith

Khawaja was quick to defend Smith after his dismissal meant he has gone since January 2021 without a century in Test cricket.

"I'm sure he's frustrated in some respects," Khawaja said.

"He is, in my opinion, the greatest batsman I've seen in my era, averaging 60 pretty much his whole Test career.

"I'm still in awe in how many runs he's scored over a long period of time.

Steve Smith (pictured) celebrates after scoring a half-century.
Steve Smith (pictured) celebrates after scoring a half-century during the first day of the third and final Test cricket match between Pakistan and Australia. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)

"I find it so funny we're talking about Steve Smith not scoring 100s, he seems to be getting 70, 80 ... and doing it very easily. That's just the class Steve Smith has.

"I'm sure once he gets a big score, more big scores (will come). The fact he's getting those 60s, 70s, he's looking really good with the bat."

Khawaja's latest knock took his series tally to 392 runs at an average of 130.66, but he was in struggle town while at the crease on Monday.

with AAP

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