We couldn’t have done anymore preparation for the series: Rod Marsh

Jul 31, 2016 at 3:45 PM

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We couldn’t have done anymore preparation for the series: Rod Marsh

Australia took every possible measure to improve their track record in the subcontinent but then again they succumbed to the spinners as their subcontinent woes continue. The team from down under hired the services of former Sri Lankan players Thilan Samaraweera and Muttiah Muralitharan to get an insight of the local conditions. The team management also sent some players to Chennai prior to the series to get a feel of the subcontinent pitches. However, all those measures went in vain after Sri Lanka defeated them by 106 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series.Before the match, the  Aussies had lost 10 of the 14 Test matches they had played in Asia since 2006 and were expected to  win against an inexperienced Sri Lankan unit.

After the defeat, Australia’s chairman of selector, Rod Marsh said that there is nothing much that they can do to help improve the side’s Test record in the subcontinent.

“What else can we do really?” Marsh asked on Sunday (July 31). “We send them off to India, we send them to other parts of the world where the ball turns, we played an ‘A’ series in India last year and they batted well against good spin bowling.

“But it gets to a Test match and whether it’s the extra pressure of it being a Test match, whether it’s the fact that we historically haven’t done well on turning pitches on the subcontinent – whether that plays on their minds, I’m not sure. But it’s a work in progress,” he added.

While admitting that his team does not play spin very well, Marsh said that they are still trying to improve that.

“People talk about the way we play spin bowling, well there’s no doubt about the fact we don’t play it as well as the way we play pace bowling in Australia. But that’s something that’s a work in progress. Everyone’s had the preparation for this tour, we couldn’t have done anymore. We had an opportunity after bowling them out for 117, and we only make 200 – unbelievable,” Marsh said.

Marsh also defended the selection of opener David Warner, who missed the practice games due to injury. He had a poor game as he could score only 0 and 1.

“He wouldn’t have played if he wasn’t fit enough. You saw him field. His fielding was outstanding. He just missed out with the bat. That can happen,” he concluded.

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