The Aussie Spin Scholars

In Dubai, at the ICC Academy, where the Australian team went for a higher learning of spin, not only sharp turners, but also pitches that were flatter and slightly lower in bounce were provided for practice. S. Sriram, hired as SPIN CONSULTANT for tours to the subcontinent, was also present in Dubai, lending valuable insight into the bowling and playing of spin on helpful surfaces. ANAND VASU dwells on the implications of the sojourn.

- Anand Vasu

It’s 7.30 in the morning and the Pune sun is yet to become its harsh best. There is a lone batsman out at the nets. He’s taking throw-downs from a left-arm spinner who is firing the ball in flat and at pace. The batsman is not wearing a front pad because he wants to develop the habit of feeling the ball on the middle of his bat, ruling out pad play and with it the lbw.

THE BATSMAN IN QUESTION is Steven Smith, Australia’s captain, and the man walking him through this extra practice session, while a Test match is on, is S. Sriram. If one image summed up Australia’s mentality as they attempted to tame India and its conditions, it is this.

It should come as no surprise that Smith played one of the best innings of his career, a second innings century on a rank turner that set up his team’s victory. Smith may have been put down more than once in the course of that knock, but the manner in which he approached batting, having a specific plan and the discipline to stick to it while shutting out all else was the single biggest difference between the run-making approaches of the two teams.

WITH THE 333-RUN WIN in the first Test, Australia gave themselves the best possible chance to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But, with so much cricket left to be played they will not be looking too far into the future. That has been the biggest difference between this Australian team and others who have toured before.