It’s been 24 years since Australia last toured Pakistan for a Test series in 1998-99. That series included three Test matches which Australia went on to win 1-0, and three One-Day International’s (ODI) which the tourists claimed in a 3-0 whitewash.
Since then, much has changed in the cricketing landscape as Pakistan were previously forced to start playing their home series in Dubai amidst rising safety concerns in their home country.
As the Australian Test team approaches their much-anticipated return to Pakistan starting in March, we look back at the last touring squad that Cricket Australia sent over to Pakistan in 1998-99.
1998-99 Squad
Mark Taylor (c), Steve Waugh (vc), Damien Fleming, Ian Healy, Michael Kasprowicz, Justin Langer, Darren Lehman, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Colin Miller, Ricky Ponting, Michael Slater, Mark Waugh, Gavin Robertson
Batters
In a time of dominance for Australia, the batting stocks for this series were very deep and full of talent.
Mark Taylor captained the team whilst also opening the batting. The skipper enjoyed a dominant series with the bat, finishing with 513 runs at an average of 128.25, highlighted by an emphatic 334* in the second Test in Peshawar.
Partnering Taylor opening the batting was Michael Slater.
The fellow top-order batter spent plenty of innings walking to the crease alongside Taylor, and his tour of Pakistan was no exception. Slater finished with 238 runs at an average of 47.60, forming a formidable duo with his long-time state mate.
Before eventually transitioning to the opener’s role, Justin Langer would feature at the number three position for Australia in Pakistan. The left-hander was at his gritty best in the series, scoring 211 runs at an average of 42.20, including a high score of 116 in the second Test in Peshawar.
The middle-order featured some familiar faces, those being the Waugh brothers, Mark and Steve. Mark traditionally batted at four in the series, scoring 228 runs at an average of 45.60 while brother Steve compiled 235 runs at an average of 58.75 out of the number five position.
The two greats of Australian cricket shared many great partnerships through the years, however, did not spend much time together at the crease in this series. Both would also bowl a number of overs throughout the series releasing the strain on the front-line bowlers.
Heading towards the tail, Darren Lehman featured in two of the Test matches batting at six, where he scored 127 runs at an average of 42.33.
While a young Ricky Ponting appeared in one Test batting at number six and scoring an impressive 76* in the second Test.
Taking the gloves for Australia in the series and batting at the traditional number seven position was Ian Healy. The legendary wicketkeeper was ever reliable with both gloves and bat, adding another 146 runs for the series at an average of 48.66.
Bowlers
In addition to the batters, the squad also featured a strong contingent of the country’s greatest bowlers. However, the pitches during the series did go on to favour the batting side, playing a role in the final two Tests finishing in a draw.
The bowling attack for the tourists was led by fast bowling great Glenn McGrath. As usual, McGrath was consistent throughout the series taking the most wickets among seamers and the second most wickets in total for the series with 12.
His bowling average of 28.66 was coupled with an impressive economy rate of 2.84.
The chief destroyer for the series was Australian leg-spinner, Stuart MacGill. Through the three Tests, MacGill finished with a series leading 15 wickets, at an impressive average of 27.46. The New South Welshman started the series in red hot for taking 9/113 in the first Test played in Rawalpindi.
Other members of the bowling cartel which toured in 1998 were Colin Miller and Damian Fleming. Miller appeared in all three tests taking eight wickets at an average of 41.12.
Fleming provided assistance in two of the three Tests collecting four wickets at his own average of 45.
Gavin Robertson featured in one test match in the series, taking one wicket.
Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehman, Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh all bowled additional overs throughout the series.
