Pakistan's fragile batting line-up will be glad to exchange the fast and bouncy Perth wicket for friendlier conditions in the second Test against Australia in Melbourne.

Australia's pace attack were at their best in the opening encounter, Glenn McGrath taking eight for 24 in Pakistan's second innings of 72 as Australia won by 491 runs.

Pakistan's fans responded by burning effigies of players and Bob Woolmer but the coach said on Friday he had been buoyed by the players' reaction in a team meeting after the match.

"They are very disappointed in themselves," Woolmer told reporters.
"They know they've got to come out and fight really hard and make sure this doesn't happen again."
The touring side will have to improve enormously in the second match starting on Sunday, however, if they are to salvage the three-Test series.

"The conditions might suit them more than Perth," Australia captain Ricky Ponting told a news conference on Friday.

"The pitch will be slower and lower than other wickets around Australia. As far as bringing the two sides closer together, we like to think not.

"We like to think we can still dominate Pakistan.

"Whether that be through aggression or discipline, we still think we have most bases covered. In most areas in our side, it certainly looks stronger than theirs.

"The thing with Pakistan, you never know what they are going to do. (But) If you manage to keep them under pressure, they don't play near their best."
Australia, with nine wins and three draws in 13 Tests this year, may be without opener Justin Langer.

Langer, the leading scorer in test cricket this year with 1,426 runs, is struggling with a bulging disc in his back.

Australia have recalled middle-order batsman Simon Katich as cover. The 29-year-old Katich, with 13 caps, will open if Langer is unfit.

Katich said he had only opened the batting "once or twice" in first class cricket, although he regularly opens for New South Wales in one-day games.

Katich said his success in batting at number three in India, where he made 259 in five innings, would help him deal with Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar firing down the new ball.

"It was probably a good thing for me because it gave me a chance to get settled before the spinners came on, which is always going to be a good thing in India, so it was probably a little bit of an advantage," he said.

The left-hander said he bore no grudges from his controversial omission from the Australian Test squad that thumped New Zealand earlier this summer, when he said he was "ready to snap" over his treatment.

"I'm over all the disappointment that happened a month or so ago, and I think I've gone back to state cricket and done my best and performed reasonably well, so I think I've dealt with that ... it's just nice to be back," he said.

The final decision on whether Katich will replace Langer is expected to be made Saturday.

Pakistan are yet to name a team but captain Inzamamul Haq will play despite a long-term back problem.

"He'll have to play through it and we'll just try to manage him from here on, now that we know what it (the injury) is," said Woolmer.

The skipper was unable to field for part of Australia's second innings in Perth, then made a first-ball duck in the second innings, shuffling back to the pavilion in pain.