In fairness to Siddons though, he is regarded as one of the best batsmen to have never played test cricket for Australia. Got one chance when he was called up for the '88 tour of Pakistan but got sick and subsequently only played one ODI on that tour and couldn't crack the team again. The slege against Waugh I believe occurred at the beginning of the golden 1994-2004 period when players like Bevan, Ponting etc. emerged as rising stars in state cricket, so I guess he thought that was his way of venting his frustration of knowing that time had passed him by.
Bottom line: in the last few years, pretty much all test playing nations around the world have had poor away records. They have not been able to pull a sequence of consistent, strong performances in away tours. Australia spanked India 4-0 to then themselves lose 4-0 in India the following year.
Pakistan have been the team that has improved a hell of a lot over the last 5 years since they got rid of the match-fixers and chuckers (Saeed Ajmal) from their side and have several talented players (especially Yasir Shah, who is by far the best leg-spinner in international cricket since Warne retired). But it remains to be seen how they will go in Australia next year, and they have several aging players in their squad like Zulfiqar (another good spinner), Younis Khan and Mishbah-Ul-Haq. It'll be the first time we've played them at home in 7 years so it should be a good series.
Well Nigel Llong has now caused NZ to lose an overseas series after tying its last series in England and the UAE, as well as winning in the Windies. South Africa away, this India series notwithstanding, just went 9 years undefeated away. So I am not sure how much of this statement is true. But home teams will make conditions more favourable for themselves.
But "moaning" aside, Pakistan have some interesting selection headaches. Yasir Shar is the leading leg spinner if not spinner in world cricket (Ashwin at home is more than useful on 'bunsen burners'), but he has not been playing every match because of Zulfiqar. I do not understand this.
Rahat Ali is god ordinary but regularly gets selected ahead of what many consider better plays in Junaid Khan and Imran Khan. Ul Haq could retire before this series. Younis may cause more problems for himself and be dropped. Also if Ul Haq retires, then what captain will they have? Not likely to be Younis. Amir could be back in the national team this time next year - or not. Wahab Riaz will love Australia - if he can stay fit and fast. Hafeez can no longer bowl due to ICC sanction but still opens the batting, so Shoiab Malik has been brought back into the team at 3 to play an all rounder role at the expense of better batsmen. This recent change makes Pakistan weaker. Sarfraz has got runs as wicket keeper. One year out, I am not no sure that you know what Pakistan team you will be playing. But I enjoy the resurgence of Pakistan cricket and a big fan of Younis Khan.
The Hafeez decision has huge ramifications for Pakistan because they had the best top and middle order in world cricket at present with Sarfraz at 7, and Azhar Ali and Shafiq and Shezad to support Ul Haq and the mighty Younis Khan. It looks a bit weaker with Hafeez and Shoiab Malik in the top 3 and no Shezad.
