Here are the few points that would help Australia to control India at home:
- Banking on the spin: Nathan Lyon has to produce Lion’s share
Despite Australia’s awful record in the subcontinent, the visitors would be banking on their spin arsenal which is led by off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who has picked 228 wickets in 63 Tests at an average of 34.07.
Australia would heavily rely on the 29-year-old Lyon to bring best on the table with the ball. which has so far received the battering after winning the four-match series 2-1 in the Border-Gavaskar in 2004, under joint-leadership of Ponting-Gilchrist.
In 10 Tests against India, Lyon has picked 45 wickets against India at an average of 36.71 which included three five-wicket hauls.
In three Tests in India, Lyon has picked 15 wickets at an average of 37.33.
Lyon is definitely going to test Indian batters with his flight on raging turners.
On the other side, the 32-year-old Steve O’Keefe could prove to be a tricky bowler in the Indian conditions owing to his accuracy which somehow is a bit similar to hosts’ spinners.
He would be banking on his delivery which do not spin much while trying to adapt on different wickets which even might have a bounce on an offer.
Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson would be eyeing to give his best – if given a chance.
The 23-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner Ashton Agar would like to excel if he gets a game straight away. The Victoria-born Agar is also handy with the bat. In two Tests, he has picked two wickets and scored 130 runs which also included his Test career best of 98 against England at Nottingham in 2013.
It would be an idle situation for Australia to give a lead role to spinners to send down the marathon of overs to get the desired results and to halt India’s juggernaut which Steven Smith and Co. would be aiming for.