The upcoming weeks hold a mighty challenge for Australia as the Kangaroos gear up for a test series in Sri Lanka. While currently the ODI outfit is busy in the Caribbean, with their final spot guaranteed, the test specialists have already begun preparations for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The Asian side might no longer be as daunting, but at home, the lions still can challenge any opposition.
In order to spike up their preparations, the test specialists within Australia’s squad will soon land in Chennai in order to acclimatize to the conditions. Since the climatic conditions in Chennai and Sri Lanka are quite similar, the Australians will first land in India, before heading to the main destination.
Opener Joe Burns in his interaction with cricket.com.au said that practicing in Chennai would be beneficial for the Aussies. “Going to Chennai, I get the chance to step up playing a lot of spin. We’ve got quite a big build up in Sri Lanka as well so I knew in the back of my mind there was always going to be a few weeks to concentrate on spin bowling in spinning conditions,” Burns said.
Burns confirmed that he has worked well with spin consultant Sriram Sridharan and Queensland batting coach Phil Jacques for the tour of Sri Lanka. “Given that it’s been the off-season we have spent hours in the nets trying to refine my game, technique-wise and the mental side of it,” Burns said. “It’s been a fantastic little period to not have the distractions in your training of having to play a game and you can really develop and evolve your game. “When Sri (Sriram Sridharan) was up for spin week I had a chance to work with him as well,” Burns added.
Adding about the benefits of being a test specialist, Burns said, “It’s one of the benefits of being a Test-only player at the moment, that you have a bit more time to prepare specifically for each tour.” “You look at the guys who play two or three forms, because they’re bouncing from game to game around the world they’re learning in-game. “Whereas you have the benefit of a few weeks to prepare from tour to tour, from team to team, you know what bowlers are going to be bowling at you in four or six weeks’ time and you can prepare accordingly.”