Australian batting vs spin bowling – a perpetual problem

A result of acquiring talent from outside when none is available at home, was visible in Australia fast-tracking the leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed to international team’s door recently.

When Fawad came seeking asylum Down Under in 2010, Australia saw the opportunity and after good results in the domestic circuit, have done the right thing to grant him citizenship. At 31, he still has a lot to offer to Australian cricket.

Cricket Australia need to send their young, emerging players to the subcontinent – to play on pitches that support spin. Batsmen need to get acclimatised to all types of surfaces as early in their careers as possible, and the subcontinent would be the ideal location to learn how to play on rank turners.

Playing on the dustbowls in India and Sri Lanka will give the rookie Australian batsmen invaluable experience – experience that would mould them into becoming better cricketers. Inexperienced, promising spinners need to bowl in conditions which are suited to their needs – it will boost their confidence, and help them to no end when they move on to bigger and greater challenges.

Currently, Adelaide and Sydney are the only two stadiums Down Under that can be leniently labelled as spinner-friendly tracks. CA needs to ensure that more stadiums prepare pitches that encourage spin. Matches need to be played on those spinning surfaces, and batsmen need to be given ample opportunities to bat on those tracks.

Steven Smith showed good technique against spin and deserves a long rope

Talented cricketers must be given a long rope – bad performances in two or three matches are definitely not an indicator of a player’s potential.

The revival of Australian batting against spin bowling promises to be a challenging journey – it will certainly be no cakewalk. But it is a journey that must be undertaken; a path that must be trodden upon – for, the cricketing world desperately needs Australia to be back at their unshackled, intimidating best.