Coach Darren Lehmann admits Australia failed to adapt

Dubai: Australia`s cricket coach Darren Lehmann Monday refused to blame the Dubai pitch and instead admitted his team didn`t play well during their 221-run defeat against Pakistan in the first Test.

Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series on the back of a maiden five wicket haul (5-74) by left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar and 4-50 by leg-spinner Yasir Shah as Australia, set a mammoth 438-run target, were bowled out for 216 on Sunday.

Lehman said the wicket at Dubai stadium wasn`t a sharp turner.

“We didn`t adapt well enough and didn`t play well enough,” said Lehman. “This was a very good cricket wicket.”

Pakistan put a big 454 run total in the first innings with centuries from Younis Khan and Sarfraz Ahmed before getting Australia out for 303 for a 153-run lead.

Younis hit his twin hundred in the second knock while Ahmed Shehzad notched his second Test hundred overall to help Pakistan set a challenging target.

It was Australia`s fifth consecutive defeat in the subcontinent in the last two years after being routed 4-0 in india early last year.

Lehman suggested the Dubai pitch wasn`t like the ones his team encountered in india.

“When you are talking about learning how to play in these conditions we got beaten on the other side — with less spin. You would think it would spin more. We got beaten with straight balls, I think five or six dismissals throughout the game.”

Shah also claimed three and Babar two in the first innings, but Lehmann said his batsmen got out on straighter balls.

“We have to get better at hitting the straight ball, watching the ball for a start, but they are things the guys will work on.”

In contrast, Australian left-arm spinner Steve O`Keefe took four and off-spinner Nathan Lyon managed just two wickets in the match.

But Lehmann said O`Keefe bowled well in his first Test.

“It`s tough when you`re bowling on the first day but he got a couple of wickets for us and it was a great experience for him. He managed to tie down an end at different stages. I was happy with his debut first up,” said Lehmann of O`Keefe.