Kerry O'Keeffe's message to Aussies over cocky act before Pakistan Test series

Kerry O'Keeffe has warned the Aussie cricket side not to take Pakistan lightly in their three-Test series which gets underway in Perth on Thursday. The Pakistanis go into the series as massive underdogs, having not won a single Test match in Australia since 1995 and being whitewashed in their last five Test tours to Australia.

The tourists tuned up for the first Test at Optus Stadium with a solid showing against the Prime Minister's XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra, with skipper Shan Masood belting a superb 201 not out. Pakistan struggled a bit with the ball in hand though, with wild weather ultimately forcing a premature end to the contest with the PM's XI side 4-367 in replay to the visitors' 9-391 declared.

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Pakistan were critical of the Manuka Oval pitch and how slow it played, with ground staff in Perth tipping a much faster and bouncier deck. Australia coach Andrew McDonald couldn't hide his excitement around the pitch forecast and said he hoped his much vaunted pace attack could "expose" Pakistan's batters on the bouncy surface.

Former Aussie cricket star and commentator O'Keeffe cautioned the home side against complacency, however, and warned that the Pakistanis would not be the easy-beats that many are expecting. O'Keeffe said the Aussies can't afford to be too cocky going into either series against Pakistan or the West Indies, despite both sides being largely written off.

“Oh, look, I am looking forward to the summer,” O’Keeffe told SEN. “I just think the man in the street has gone too hard on our opponents Pakistan and the West Indies.

“Pakistan have got world class players, Abdullah Shafique, their opener, Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and this newcomer Saud Shakeel, he’s a very good player in the middle order. They’re stronger than they were last time, and they have a big chance in the first match at Optus Stadium in Perth on a bouncy pitch. They can jump Australia there, watch out.”

Steve Smith wary of Pakistan pace threat

Australia vice-captain Steve Smith also warned his men to be on alert for Pakistan's deadly pace duo, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi. "Shaheen in particular with the new ball, the ability to bring it back down the line to the right handers is always a threat," Smith said.

"Any left armer that can do that at good pace, it's a skill that we don't see too often. "I think he's improved a lot since he last came out here four years ago.

"And Hasan Ali - his ability to just be relentless at the top of off and challenge your defence, he's done that for a period of time and he's a good bowler." The Aussies go into the Test with largely the same side that played against England in the fifth and final Ashes Test, with the one exception being Nathan Lyon's return from injury at the expense of Todd Murphy.

Lyon is just four scalps away from the magical 500-wicket Test milestone, and would join compatriots Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563) as the only Aussie players to surpass the 500-wicket mark. The Perth Test will mark the first international match Lyon has featured in since tearing his calf during the second Ashes Test in June and Smith can't wait to see his teammate back in action.

"There's no doubt we missed Nathan at the back end of the Ashes," Smith said. "What he brings to the attack and the control and different tempos - he can play defensive roles, he can play an attacking role and he's got all the tricks.

"And closing in on 500 wickets - that's a serious feat in itself. He's been incredible, particularly the last three or four years. He's continually learning and trying to get better as well. He's a valuable - if not the most valuable member in this team for our attack."

with agencies

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