Finding the right formula

by Jamie Lillywhite

Woolmer hopes to eradicate some of Pakistan's loose shots

Australia is the land of sun-kissed beaches, shorts of dubious taste, shrimps on barbecues and, for the last decade, home to the undisputed kings of international cricket.

Many have tried and failed to find a formula to beat the men in baggy green caps, but in recent times only India have succeeded in a Test series, coming from behind to win 2-1 on home soil in 2001.

That, of course, is a result which was avenged last month as Australia ended a 35-year wait for a series victory in the sub-continent.

One of the game's most astute coaches, Bob Woolmer has twice been on the receiving end while in charge of South Africa.

Now he is set for another tilt at Australia with the enigmatic Pakistan team.

He told BBC Sport the tactics likely to bring success were fairly simple.

"It's not really rocket science what you've got to do. It's getting a side good enough to do it," he said.

"We have to compete on a ball-by-ball basis. If we can win more balls than them - if we can get a wicket, or bowl a dot ball, not get hit for four, take a brilliant catch or, from a batting perspective, not throw our wicket away - then we've got a chance."

Woolmer has had some scintillating talent at his disposal, the likes of Herschelle Gibbs, Inzamam, Jacques Kallis and Yousuf Youhana with the bat, plus Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami with the ball.

Unfortunately for him they have not been in the same team.

Justin Langer said watching people bat against Australia is like watching fish trying to get out of a fishing net Bob Woolmer

He cites Australia's continuity as one of the major reasons for their dominance.

Indeed, when the South Africans were beaten 2-1 at home in 1997, the wickets were shared evenly between messrs Gillespie, McGrath and Warne, all of whom will be waiting to add more to their tally in this series.

"If you took an average age of their side they'd be nearly 30, perhaps over," Woolmer said.

"It means they're full of experience, that's the key to their success.

"It might work against them in three or fours years but at the moment it means they've got a very experienced side who know what they're doing in all situations.

"They bat aggressively and bowl this miserly line.

"Justin Langer had a good line, he said that watching people bat against Australia is like 'watching fish trying to get out of a fishing net'."

Woolmer would no doubt like two clones of Shoaib Akhtar

The first match is at the Waca, the fastest wicket in Australia and, while hoping Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami can shine, Woolmer lamented a lack of fast bowling back-up, with Shabbir Ahmed and Umar Gul both injured.

"We don't have a four-pronged pace attack which I think is what you need to beat Australia at Perth, four not two," he said.

Consistency will be the main ingredient that Woolmer will attempt to instill into his team.

"Our batting is a bit up and down at the moment," he conceded.

"It's not 100% guaranteed that we're going to score 500, which is what you need to do if you're going to beat Australia.

"I have a team of "impact" players who need to learn to defend a bit more.

"We have to forget about reputations and play each ball.

"We just need to get in against their bowlers and then take them on."