Australia Camp Train Long And Hard To Counter India’s Spin Attack
Feb 16, 2017 at 6:04 PM
After Australia practiced in Dubai on scuffed-up pitches in a week-long camp at the ICC Academy, Steven Smith’s team landed in Mumbai on Tuesday for their first full-blown practice session ahead of the four-match series, which starts with a three-day warm-up match against India A at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) on Friday.
Australian batters trained hard on Wednesday for longer sessions with their fellow spinners as it remained their entire focus to counter India’s spin heavy attack, led by ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Steven Smith and Co. would aim to rise to the occasion to trouble the hosts’ strong batting line-up, led by modern-day batting sensation Virat Kohli himself.
“We had Shane Warne in 2004 who could bowl from one end the whole day. We have to pick squads differently now,” Australian Head Coach Darren Lehman said.
The sub-continent wickets are helpful for spinners and considering the fact, Cricket Australia selectors have inducted four spinners in the 16-member squad to counter India’s strong batting line-up in their own backyard.
However, the visitors are expected to be tested during the upcoming Test series.
Given this, the Australian camp were seen preparing hard under the humid conditions in Mumbai while checking their endurance level by opting to run between the wickets in a bid to acclimatize to the conditions.
Lehmann and England’s former cricketer Graeme Hick, who was appointed as Australia’s batting specialist in September last year, also monitored the players during the three-hour long session.
Fielding Coach Greg Blewett was also seen working with players for close-in catching practices and other fielding drills.