For all their pomp and swagger, the Australian cricket team has had a miserable record in the sub-continent. The otherwise aggressive side has caved in on the slow and sluggish Asian pitches, and this remains their biggest Achilles heel even to this day.
Many controversial tags have been associated with the team whenever they land in the sub-continent, and for many reasons and for all the ability of the team they somehow find ways to stumble in these conditions.
However, as Australia are all set to play a Test series in Sri Lanka, this hideous record can be rectified. If the thumping performance in the practice match is anything to go by, the Baggy Greens are ready to iron out their flaws and seem to have learnt from all their previous mistakes. They trounced the Sri Lankan XI by an innings and 62 runs in the practice match and will go into the Test match brimming with confidence and most importantly with belief in their abilities.
Here in this list, we take a look at 5 reasons why Australia can improve their record in the sub-continent.
#1 An injury plagued Sri Lankan side
Ever since the retirement of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan team has never looked settled and have been forever under transition. Barring a win against West Indies, the Lankans have rarely tasted success in the longest format. All this with a fully fit side!
But such is the bleak condition of the hosts this time that irrespective of their deplorable performance in England, this series looks like a mountain to climb even before the first ball has been bowled.
Such is the injury concern that the selectors have been forced to pick up sides before every match, as they will have to look at the fit players.
"It is very difficult times as a selector to pick a balanced squad with so many injuries," Sanath Jayasuriya, the chief selector, said.
Factor this: Dhammika Prasad has a shoulder injury and is most probably out of the entire series, Dushmantha Chameera and Suranga Lakmal were injured during the England series and will undergo a fitness test for a hamstring strain and Shaming Eranga has been reported for a suspect action. Thus, only Nuwan Pradeep is technically available for selection, as the frontline seamer.
Australia will be licking their lips at this prospect, and this is one of the biggest reasons why they can believe this time.
#2 Well-balanced Australian bowling attack
The selectors have done a commendable job in selecting a well-rounded squad for this series. The pace bowling department has never been a concern for Australia, this continues to be the norm for this series too. In Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jackson Bird, they have a potent and penetrative bowling line-up.
However, the inclusion of Steven O' Keefe and Nathan Lyon into the squad has given the team the cutting edge. O'Keefe has been a consistent performer in the domestic set-up, and his performance in the practice match in which he claimed 10 wickets will be a massive boost for the team.
Along with Nathan Lyon, who has already given a great account of himself, the spin combination might tilt the balance in the favour of the visitors.
#3 All-rounders
The growth of Mitchell Marsh as an all-rounder has been one the stories this season. His inspired performances in the recently concluded Tri-series was an indication of his ability. Marsh, who will walk in No. 6 with the bat is a capable bat against spin and also seam.
And then there is Moises Henriques who is one of the top players of spin in the team. His IPL experience will hold him in good stead. During the 2013 tour to India, Henriques displayed impeccable technique against spin and scored 68 and 81* in Chennai, which was also his debut match.
"After one good Test I felt like I'd displayed that I was good enough, but just not consistent enough. That's the biggest thing, is to do it over and over again. I certainly feel like I've improved as a cricketer and given the opportunity, I'd like to think I could do even better than I did then", Henriques said, which is an indication of his belief.
#4 Excellent players against spin
For all their problems in the pace department, Sri Lanka seem to be covered in the spin department. Rangana Herath remains a match-winner in spinning conditions and he has displayed on more than one occasion that he can win matches all by himself.
But the presence of the likes of David Warner, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja and Adam Voges in the batting department will give the tourists a lot of conviction. These players have played enough in Asian conditions and know how to tackle spin and slow bowling.
For instance, Steven Smith is by far the best player of spin in the side, and David Warner on his day can not only negate any threat but also can take matches away from the opposition in a jiffy.
Another box has been ticked!
#5 Roping in consultants before this series
Australia never go down wandering and they never do things half-heartedly. This attitude is on full display and can be deciphered from the fact that they have roped in Thilan Samaraweera and Muttiah Muralitharan before this series to work with their players.
Samaraweera, a former Sri Lanka batsman, has been hired as a consultant for the National Cricket Centre from June to August and has since worked with Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, and Jackson Bird before this series.
Also, Cricket Australia have secured the services of former spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan.
Murali has been working with the Australian players ahead of the Test series, and will continue in this role until the start of the first Test.
Certainly, a positive step taken by the management, a move which should ideally yield favourable results!
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