Aus vs Pak 2nd Test - Pakistan Rocked by Aamer Blow, Oz Target Series Win

Sydney: The second Test match between Pakistan and Australia starting Sunday here would see two players from both the teams returning to the place where they had made their Test debuts five years ago.

Both Australian all-rounder Shane Watson and Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif had a rather forgettable start to their Test careers, but they would taking the field on Sunday as one of the senior players of their respective sides who have great responsibilities on their shoulders, the Daily Times reports.

Who would have thought that Watson, who has played just 14 Tests since making his debut at the SCG, would open the batting for his side after having been stuck in between greats like Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne at No. 7 during his initial days at the international level.

Australia had defeated Pakistan in the 2005 Sydney Test by nine wickets. The win was largely due to the first innings double-century by Ricky Ponting and the 13-wicket haul from the two spinners Stuart MacGill and Shane Warne.

This time around it Pakistan which likely to press into service its two spinners Danish Kaneria and Saeed Ajmal on a pitch that is likely to offer some bite to the spinners despite the green covering.

Recalling his first Test, Watson spoke about Kaneria's tight spell and said that the leg spinner would be a dangerous addition to the visitor's bowling attack.

On the other hand, Asif would surely want to improve on his debut performance of 0-88 from 18 overs when he goes on to the field on Sunday.

Australia opening batsman Simon Katich is in doubt for the second Test against Pakistan because of an elbow injury he picked up in the Boxing Day Test.

Katich's New South Wales teammate Phillip Hughes, who was dropped from the team after the second Ashes Test in 2009, has been placed on standby, reports the Sydney Morning Herald .

"Katich is still working with team physio (Alex Kountouris) on the injury he picked up at the MCG," a team spokesman said on Saturday.

Katich and Shane Watson have formed a strong opening combination since the axing of Hughes. The new pairing has shared first-wicket partnerships worth 856 runs in 12 innings at an average of 71.33.

However, the 21-year-old Hughes has been deemed unlucky by some fans to lose his Test spot, and a hundred for NSW in a Sheffield Shield match against Victoria in Newcastle in December underlined his talent.

Hughes averages 52.44 in five Tests, including two centuries.

Earlier on Saturday, Ponting said he was confident of a good showing in Sydney and expected Pakistan to recall leg-spinner Danish Kaneria from a finger injury and include pacer Umar Gul.

Australia lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the Boxing Day Test by 170 runs.

Team news

Australia: Simon Katich's elbow problem is enough of an issue for Phillip Hughes to be called in as a standby, although it would take a lot for Katich to give up his spot after working so hard to get it back. Marcus North appears the only member of the starting XI under pressure with three single-figure dismissals this summer to balance out two half-centuries.

Squad (likely): Ricky Ponting (capt), Shane Watson, Simon Katich/Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger.

Pakistan: They have been dealt a serious blow, with Aamer missing out due to a groin injury. Pakistan are likely to make a few changes, with Umar Gul replacing Abdur Rauf, and Mohammad Sami taking Aamer's place.

Squad (likely): Mohammad Yousuf (capt), Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Faisal Iqbal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Sami/Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Danish Kaneria.

Pitch and conditions
Tom Parker, the SCG curator, is hoping for something in between, but believes recent rain in Sydney will provide the fast bowlers with assistance. Whether that will prove helpful for the spinners remains to be seen. Further rain on Saturday added to the groundstaff's worries.

Stats and trivia

• Australia's 170-run victory at the MCG was their tenth consecutive Test win against Pakistan. Pakistan's last success over Australia in the Test arena came at the SCG in 1995.
• Pakistan closed out a difficult 2009 campaign with a Test record of one win, four losses and four draws. Australia's record for the corresponding period was seven wins, three losses and three draws.
• Katich and Shane Watson have amassed 856 runs for the first wicket in just seven Tests as Australia's opening combination, including three century and as many half-century stands. Their partnership average of 71.33 trails only Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe among opening partnerships with ten or more innings together.

Match facts
January 3-7, 2010
Start time 10:30 local time (23:30 GMT pre day)