Australia vs Pakistan 2016: 1st Test - 5 focus areas for Australia
Australian cricket is looking for a positive end to the calendar year after embarrassing Test series losses to Sri Lanka and South Africa, and will face Pakistan, who have had a decent run in Test cricket of late, despite losing their last series in New Zealand.
The Aussies were forced to swap many personnel after the loss at Hobart in the second Test against South Africa. The fresh faces delivered a convincing win in the final Test at Adelaide, a day-night affair. The same 12 have been retained for the day-night Test at Brisbane against Pakistan.
They will be wary of the Pakistanis who boast of a good bowling attack, although the participation of Yasir Shah, their biggest weapon in Tests remains doubtful. If Shah doesn't play in the first Test, which is a day-night encounter at Brisbane, it will be a huge blow for Pakistan as the pink ball is expected to favour wrist spinners, although it showed no such signs in Adelaide last month.
Here are the focus areas for Australia for the Brisbane Test against Pakistan.
#5 Lower order issues
Australia's familiar lower order issues weren't put to the test at Adelaide against South Africa. A new look lower order with Maddinson and Wade at 6 and 7 succumbed to the Proteas pacers under lights.
Mitchell Marsh had copped heavy criticism for his lack of form that contributed to Australia's long tail in Tests. Maddinson and Wade have an opportunity to cement their spots in the Test squad if they perform well.
Wade, replacing Peter Nevill, a far better keeper, is a gutsy batsman and has proven that in the past with valiant knocks from no. 7 in the few opportunities he has got. Maddinson is predominantly a limited overs player and needs to prove that he is much more than the duck he went for in his debut innings.