Pakistan’s fast bowling sensation Mohammad Amir is likely to feature in the Boxing Day Test against Australia at Melbourne even after having a sore knee in the Brisbane game.
The left-arm pacer was taken on the motorized stretcher during the first match, when his knee got stuck on the Gabba turf, causing him trouble. Amir was then sidelined for some time but surprisingly, he came back and bowled a few overs too.
Mounting some worry on his availability in the next two Tests, batting coach Grant flower said there is a bit of bruising on his thigh for now but he feels better than before. Also, the former Zimbabwe batsman dropped a hint about heading in with the same bowling line-up for the Melbourne Test too.
“There’s quite a bit of bruising on his thigh. He’s feeling a bit stiff but he’s alright. I think the guys are fit enough to go through (five days). I think our attack will probably be the same. We don’t have that all-rounder (option). It’s one of those things. The guys are just going to have get through it.”
Amir, on his return to the MCG, would be confident of a good show, remembering his five-wicket haul against Australia on the very same ground seven years ago in 2009. However, his banter against Mitchell Starc during the visitors’ second innings caught some attention too and Flower seems okay with it.
“There was just a bit of banter going on. Just the usual. I don’t think there was anything over the top. There were a couple of strong words exchanged but that’s part of the game.”
The Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan will begin from December 26.