Australian cricket team in Pakistan in 1982–83

≤The Australian cricket team toured Pakistan in the 1982–83 season to play a three-match Test series against Pakistan. Pakistan won the test series 3–0, and one day series 2–0. Australia failed to win a single game on the entire tour.

In the words of Wisden, "The Australians proved ill-equipped to cope with a Pakistan side beginning to exert its international authority under the leadership of Imran Khan... For Pakistan it was the country's finest cricketing hour. Their three-nil Test victory was unprecedented in a short series there... It all amounted to a tour to rank among the most dismal ever made by an Australian side."[1]

Australia's wicketkeeper on the tour, Rod Marsh, later wrote that "the more you think of the 1982 Australian cricket tour of Pakistan the more you want to forget it."[2]

Australian squad

Australia had just defeated Pakistan 2–1 at home during the 1981–82 summer season and several of the players had previously toured Pakistan.

Captain Greg Chappell and fast bowlers Dennis Lillee and Len Pascoe who had all just toured New Zealand were all unavailable for selection on the tour.

The original squad selected were as follows:

Rod Marsh refused to serve as vice captain under Kim Hughes, saying he wanted "to give a younger player the experience of being vice-captain."[3] He was replaced by Border.

The selection panel on tour was Hughes, Border and Laird. Wisden later reported "it seemed that Kim Hughes had a strong and well-balanced team under his command."[1] Hughes thought the team was in better shape than the squad which lost to Pakistan in 1980:

We struggled before, but the spinning combination of Ray Bright and Bruce Yardley, the left- and right-arm orthodox bowlers, gives us a better balance and makes me optimistic of winning the series... But I'm not underestimating our quicks. Jeff Thomson can get us into a winning position if the wickets allow. But he may not be able to get amongst them on the final day and our spinners will have to knock them over.[4]

Preparations

Col Egar flew to Pakistan in July in order to help plan the tour.[5]

The team met for four days in Perth for a training camp on 4 September. Kim Hughes said he was pleased with the squad:

Pakistan are in the process of developing one of their best sides ever and they seem to be able to bat well down the order... The boys will have to handle a different diet, customs and outlook on life — but it will be worth it.... Sleep and Yardley have been to India and that should stand them in good stead... In the spin department we have the great balance of a left-arm orthodox in Ray Bright and a right arm exponent in Yardley... The five regular batsmen, Border, Dyson, Bruce Laird, Graeme Wood and myself have seen a lot of cricket, and Ritchie and Phillips will be given every chance to be considered for the Tests.[6]

There had been criticism of Pakistan pitches over the years. The curator of the WACA ground, John Maley, went to Pakistan in 1981 to advise the Board of Cricket Control on making of wickets. Maley found some suitable soil and recommended that the Test strips in Karachi, Faisalabad and Lahore be dug up and relaid.[4]

Tour

The team left Perth on 9 September and travelled via Singapore to Karachi before flying to Rawalpindi. Rod Marsh stayed behind a few days to help his small child recover from an illness.[7]

BCCP Patron's XI v Australians at Rawalpindi, 12–14 September 1982

Australia's first tour game was against the BCCP Patrons XI. Wayne Phillips played as wicketkeeper because of Marsh's unavailability, and Australia decided to play three spinners, Sleep, Bright and Yardley.

Australia began well with a century from Kim Hughes, and half centuries from Graeme Wood and Allan Border.[8]

However Australia's bowlers struggled to dismiss the opposition and a second innings collapse saw Australia come close to losing the game. It ended in a draw.[9]

BCCP XI v Australians at Multan, 16–18 September 1982

Australia fared much better in the next tour game, against BCCP XI, where they almost forced a victory. Ray Bright and Geoff Lawson both picked up five wicket hauls; Hughes, Wood and Ritchie all scored half centuries.[10][11]

1st ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Hyderabad (Sind), Sep 20, 1982

Pakistan comfortably beat Australia in the 1st ODI. They were led by Zaheer Abbas in the absence of Imran Khan. It was the first one-day match Australia had played in Pakistan.

Hughes won the toss and Pakistan batted, with Mohsin Khan scoring a century. Australia went from 0-104 to all out for 170. Jalal-ud-Din took a hat-trick consisting of Marsh, Yardley and Lawson.[12][13]

The crowd of 30,000 was 5,000 more than capacity and several times play was interrupted when the crowd spilled on to the ground.[14]

1st Test: Pakistan v Australia at Karachi, Sep 22-27, 1982

For the first test, Greg Ritchie was selected to make his test debut, with Terry Alderman 12th man.[15]

Australia batted first and scored 284, with good innings from Dyson (87), Hughes (54) and Border (55). Rod Marsh later wrote "we probably lost the entire series in just half an hour on the first day of the first test" when Australia lost Kim Hughes and Greg Ritchie just before stumps. "It was just what the Pakistanis needed and just what we didn't. They came out next day and skittled us with the new ball. Had we got through that crisis time and resumed with only three down, it might have been a new ball game, a new series."[16]

Pakistan made 419 in response, with the Australians dropping key catches.

"We lost concentration with the interruptions, dropped catches, but the bowlers, particularly the pacemen, Jeff Thomson and Geoff Lawson, were magnificent," said Kim Hughes. "Not once did they knock back a spell but just kept going."[17]

The "interruptions" were serious. Items being thrown on the ground - including stones, potatoes and onions - led to Hughes taking his side off the ground on two separate occasions on the third day.[18]

Hughes later threatened to call off the tour if any of his players were injured.

I'm not going to let my fellows* heads be cut open by razor-sharp stones... This is an insult to the Australian players - we are being treated like animals in a zoo... We should have gone off earlier, but I was sorry for the umpires and the other people who had paid good money to see cricket... We are here to play cricket and are being treated like animals. No wonder other cricketing countries are loath to come here. What bothers me is what happens when we are in a winning position? The same treatment was handed out to the West Indians. We can take the verbal abuse, but I've reached a position where our blokes don't want to field at fine leg.[17]

The Karachi commissioner went with local cricket-association officials to plead with the rioters and were met with a hail of stones, vegetables and water bombs.

Australia collapsed in their second innings, with Abdul Qadir taking five wickets. Pakistan won by nine wickets.[19]

"But for some appallingly sloppy fielding, we may have made quite a game of the first test," wrote Marsh later. "Geoff Lawson and Jeff Thomson did everything anyone could expect of them, but were badly let down by dropped catches. If we'd held those chances, it may have been a different story."[20]

2nd Test: Pakistan v Australia at Faisalabad, Sep 30-Oct 5, 1982

Pakistan's victory in the second test was even more decisive.

Peter Sleep replaced an ill Bruce Yardley.[21] Pakistan batted first and scored 6-501 declared, despite good bowling from Geoff Lawson (4-97).[22]

Australia then wilted under the bowling of Qadir and Qasim making 168.[23]

Pakistan enforced the follow on and dismissed Australia for 330 with the spinners taking nine of the wickets. The one bright spot for Australia was Ritchie's second innings century.[24][25]

Geoff Lawsom complained about being given out leg before wicket, resulting in an official complaint from the umpire.[26]

2nd ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Lahore, Oct 8, 1982

Australia performed more competitively in the 2nd ODI but still lost to Pakistan by 28 runs. Laird made a slow-scoring 91 and Hughes a quick fire 64.[27][28]

Pakistan Invitation XI v Australians at Sialkot, Oct 10-12, 1982

Australia then drew against a Pakistan Invitation XI.

A day was lost due to rain.[29] Highlight of the game was Wayne Phillips scoring 92 while playing as a wicketkeeper.[30]

3rd Test: Pakistan v Australia at Lahore, Oct 14-19, 1982

For the third test, Australia decided to drop Sleep and Bright and use a three-man pace attack in conjunction with Yardley, recalling Terry Alderman.[31]

Australia batted first and scored 316.[32][33] Pakistan made 7-467 in response before declaring.

Australia were dismissed for 214 in their second innings and lost by nine wickets.[34][35][36]

Jeff Tomson kicked over the stumps after bowling one of several no balls in the third test. "It was most unThomsonlike behaviour and I'm sure he regretted it as soon as he'd done it," wrote Marsh. "But he'd had enough of Pakistan. We all had."[37]

Col Egar told the press:

We are battling against the odds - that's not a gutless situation. We are suffering from lack of practice before the tour, our batting lacks timing, we have gone on the defensive and negative cricket breeds dismissal. The bowlers arc short of lead-up match practice and let's face it, we are playing against a powerful side. I will certainly recommend to the Australian Cricket Board that we don't tour again out of season. We will have to make sure we come here in 1988 at the end of the Sheffield Shield season.[38]

3rd ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Karachi, Oct 22, 1982

The 3rd ODI was called off when Pakistan were 1-44 due to a crowd riot.

Fifteen minutes into the game Geoff Lawson was seen throwing a stone back into the crowd while fielding at long leg. Hughes and the umpires spoke to him and after lengthy conversations, and a plea from Hughes to the stands for calm, decided to carry on. However items continued to be thrown from the stands. When Pakistan were 1-39, Lawson was hit on the leg, and Hughes led his players from the field. For almost an hour Hughes discussed possibly abandoning the game with Imran, managers and officials, but eventually, at the urging of Australian manager Col Egar, the Australians decided to return.

Within an over items began being thrown again and Greg Ritchie was hit. Hughes led his team from the field, this time for good. The Australians were evacuated from the stadium, then it was announced the game was abandoned. The crowd turned on the police, attacking them with stones and seats ripped up from the stands, and setting light to the canvas awnings used as protection from the sun. The police responded with baton charges and tear gas. The conflict spilled into the streets surrounding the stadium. Rioters even prevented fire engines from reaching the ground.[39]

Pakistan authorities used volunteers at the stadium instead of police, keeping police in reserve. "If the authorities are too frightened to use police inside the ground then we are too frightened to play cricket," said Col Egar.[39][40][41]

Rod Marsh later said he "asked around and people in the know said the mob had nothing against us personally. No, they were protesting because they wanted a new grandstand built at the ground. They've a funny way of expressing themselves in Pakistan."[42]

Summary

The series was seen as a triumph for Pakistan, who played without Sarfraz Nawaz. Imran Khan and Abdul Qadir bowled particularly well, with the latter taking 22 wickets, a record for a series against Australia. According to Wisden:

His remarkable dexterity, variety and accuracy, usually exploited from round the wicket, to find boot marks at the other end, caused the Australians such difficulties that it made his absence from the team which had visited Australia the previous summer all the more inexplicable. His success was achieved, moreover, against batsmen who prided themselves on their ability to cope with the ball tossed into the air and turning from leg. Qadir's ability to turn the ball sharply in both directions eroded the Australians' patience and confidence and frustrated their desires to advance down the pitch to get the better of him.[1]

Qadir received strong support from Iqbal Qasim and together they took 30 of the 56 Australian wickets to fall to bowlers in the three Tests. Pakistan also batted particularly well, especially openers Mohsin Khan and Mudassar Nazar, with strong support from Zaheer Abbas, Mansoor Akhtar, and Javed Miandad.

"They played very good cricket," wrote Marsh. "Percentage cricket."[43] Of the Australians, Graeme Wood, Bruce Laird and John Dyson scored some useful runs and Greg Ritchie impressed with his century. Hughes and Border were disappointing.

Wisden called fast bowler Geoff Lawson "the outstanding Australian... his spirit was undaunted by the failures of his fellow players, and he remained the one bowler to trouble the Pakistanis in all conditions throughout the series."[1] Australia's spinners only took six test wickets between them, although Australia did drop fifteen catches throughout the series. "It all amounted to a tour to rank among the most dismal ever made by an Australian side," said Wisden.[1]

"It is almost too painful to recall what happened to us on the field in Pakistan," wrote Rod Marsh. "We thought like losers, we played like losers. And we lost everything we attempted."[44]

Rod Marsh later claimed to have lived off Australian beer and canned fruit that was shipped in to the country. He says players amused themselves by watching in-house television movies and setting off fireworks.[45]

Controversies

Riots in the crowd caused Kim Hughes to twice lead the Australian team from the field during the first test, and also to abandon the third one-day international.[39]

Greg Chappell was reappointed Australian captain for the 1982-83 Ashes.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Wisden - the Australians in Pakistan 1982/83 accessed 4 July 2014
  2. ↑ Marsh p 8
  3. ↑ "Kim Hughes to lead Pakistan-tour team.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 26 March 1982. p. 22. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  4. 1 2 "CRICKET Skipper pleases Hughes.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 9 September 1982. p. 27. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  5. ↑ "CRICKET Manager to seek revised itinerary.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 3 July 1982. p. 45. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  6. ↑ "CRICKET.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 3 August 1982. p. 1 Section: SPORTS SECTION. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "CRICKET Exciting series in Pakistan forecast.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 12 September 1982. p. 26. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  8. ↑ "CRICKET Australia nine for 327 in Pakistan.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 13 September 1982. p. 18. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  9. ↑ Scorecard of BCCP Patron's XI v Australians accessed 4 July 2014
  10. ↑ BCCP XI v Australians at Multan 1982 accessed 4 July 2014
  11. ↑ "CRICKET Draw in Pakistan.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 19 September 1982. p. 25. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  12. ↑ 1st ODI match report at Wisden
  13. ↑ 1st ODI scorecard
  14. ↑ "CRICKET Pakistan easily wins one-day match.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 21 September 1982. p. 16. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  15. ↑ "CRICKET Ritchie in line for first Test cap.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 22 September 1982. p. 40. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  16. ↑ Marsh p 14
  17. 1 2 "CRICKET Hughes thinks of calling off tour.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 26 September 1982. p. 23. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  18. ↑ 1st test match report at Wisden
  19. ↑ 1st Test at National Stadium, Karachi
  20. ↑ Marsh p 19
  21. ↑ "CRICKET Yardley ill, Sleep may be named.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 30 September 1982. p. 28. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  22. ↑ "CRICKET Lawson bouncers claim two on batsmen's pitch.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 1 October 1982. p. 18. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  23. ↑ "CRICKET A follow-on looms.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 4 October 1982. p. 13. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  24. ↑ 2nd Test at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
  25. ↑ 2nd test report at Wisden
  26. ↑ ion "CRICKET Complaint lodged against Lawson.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 8 October 1982. p. 20. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  27. ↑ 2nd ODI scorecard
  28. ↑ 2nd ODI report at Wisden
  29. ↑ "CRICKET Downpour stops match.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 11 October 1982. p. 20. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  30. ↑ Pakistan Invitation XI v Australia scorecard
  31. ↑ "CRICKET Test recall for Terry Alderman.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 14 October 1982. p. 28. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  32. ↑ "CRICKET Hughes, Ritchie keep Australian hopes alive.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 15 October 1982. p. 18. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  33. ↑ "Late breakthroughs keep Australia in the chase.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 16 October 1982. p. 42. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  34. ↑ "Pakistan storms to nine-wicket win.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 20 October 1982. p. 48. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  35. ↑ 3rd Test at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
  36. ↑ 3rd test report at Wisden
  37. ↑ Marsh p 19
  38. ↑ "Egar angry at 'gutless' tag.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 18 October 1982. p. 20. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  39. 1 2 3 Martin Williamson, 'Australians Get Stoned', Cricinfo, 4 October 2008 accessed 27 May 2012
  40. ↑ 3rd ODI scorecard
  41. ↑ 3rd ODI report at Wisden
  42. ↑ Marsh p 15
  43. ↑ Marsh p 14
  44. ↑ Marsh p 12
  45. ↑ Marsh p 9

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