Langer urges Aussies to think on their feet

Australia’s coach Justin Langer has urged his batsmen to use their feet more following his side's 373-run defeat against Pakistan, which saw them lose the two-Test series 1-0.

Australia’s batting folded for 145 and 164 in the second Test in Abu Dhabi, with none of their batsmen reaching half centuries against some accurate seam bowling by Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas, who finished with ten wickets in the match.

In contrast, Australia put up a great fight in the first Test to avert defeat in Dubai, with Usman Khawaja scoring a match saving 141 and 85, Aaron Finch scoring 62 and 49, Travis Head 72 and skipper Tim Paine 61 not out.

Langer, himself a batsman of great repute, said Australia’s batting problems were technical as much as mental.

“I think what I’m really intrigued about is you’re not allowed to use the word 'technique' anymore,” said Langer, who scored 7696 runs in 105 Tests during an illustrious career.

“I was brought up in Australian cricket where we did a lot of bowling machine work and we did a lot of talk on technique. Technique to me is about footwork patterns and playing forward when it’s full and back when it’s back. They’re just really basics of the game.

“You talk about the great Australian players, they moved their feet like boxers, every one of them. They had footwork patterns and then from there you have the skill of run-scoring ability

“The technique is really important, and I think now there’s a lot of talk, because of white-ball cricket, that you just have wide stances and you just stand and deliver.

“Well, that’s OK but … when the ball starts moving around, if you don’t move your feet then you’re going to come unstuck.”

Langer said he couldn't sleep after his team let Pakistan off on day one of the second Test, from a precarious 5-57 to 282 all out.

"I didn’t sleep very well that first night," said Langer. "We had them 5-57, and that night, Pakistan ended up with 282 and I know how hard Test cricket is.

“When you have people on the ropes you have to capitalise. Particularly a team like this and particularly they had Mohamad Abbas, who bowled beautifully.”

Both Australia and Pakistan will now play a series of three Twenty20 internationals, the first of which in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Qantas Tour of the UAE

Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc

Pakistan Test squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hafeez

First Test: Match drawn

Second Test: Pakistan won by 373 runs