Dean Jones has often wondered why Australia don’t pick batsmen for sub-continental Test tours who are better suited against spin, and Steve Smith is now open to the idea.
After Sri Lanka hammered the tourists by 229 runs in the second Test in Galle on Saturday to seal the three-match series, the Australian skipper was looking for answers.
Australia have now lost eight straight Tests away to sub-continental teams and face a four-Test tour of India early next year.
Former Test batsman Jones advocates the ‘horses for courses’ policy for selecting batsmen on dry Asian wickets, just as bowling line-ups change depending on the conditions.
“Yeah it certainly needs to be looked at,” said Smith.
“If there are guys that can play spin well in these conditions then it’s certainly got to be a chance… whatever we’re doing it’s not working. So yeah there might be a need for some changes.”
The third Test start in Colombo next Saturday and Australia may potentially bring in Shaun Marsh, regarded as a strong player of slow bowling and who scored a century on debut in Sri Lanka in 2011.
He could come in at the expense of Joe Burns or Usman Khawaja, who both scored heavily over the Australian summer but have been very dry for runs on tour.
“We have been outplayed in both Test matches… but we’ve still got plenty to play for in Colombo,” said Smith.
“We have got to try and prove to ourselves and the public that we can play in these conditions.”
While the batting has been the biggest disappointment, Smith pointed out that the spinners haven’t pulled their weight either given the wickets are well suited to the turning ball.
The Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo is, naturally, expected to spin so changes to the bowling attack are unlikely.
Jon Holland was well contained in his debut in Galle and will retain his spot, if not for the fact Australia only have two spinners in the 15-man squad.
Mitchell Starc was brilliant in Galle, the paceman’s 11-94 – his best Test figures and best by a paceman at the ground – not enough to lift his side to a series-equalling win.
“I thought all of the fast bowlers did a pretty good job for us in this game, but to be fair, it shouldn’t be them taking the wickets,” said Smith.
“It should be our spinners that are getting the job done… we’ve gone at over four an over for both Test matches, so we’ve got to find a way for the spinners to get wickets in these conditions.”
BEST MATCH FIGURES BY PACEMEN AT GALLE
Mitchell Starc (Aus) 11-94 Aug 2016
Dale Steyn (SA) 9-99 Jul 2014
Morne Morkel (SA) 7-78 Jul 2014
Waqar Younis (Pak) 7-79 Jun 2000
Lasitha Malinga (SL) 7-105 Jul 2010
BEST FIGURES BY AN AUSTRALIAN IN A TEST WHEN ON LOSING SIDE
Merv Hughes 13-217 v West Indies, Perth 1988
Charlie Turner 12-87 v England, Sydney 1888
Hugh Trumble 12-89 v England, The Oval 1896
Alan Davidson 12-124 v India, Kanpur 1959
Shane Warne 12-128 v South Africa, Sydney 1994
Geoff Dymock 12-166 v India, Kanpur Oct 1979
Hugh Trumble 12-173 v England, The Oval 1902
Jason Krejza 12-358 v India, Nagpur 2008
Mitchell Starc 11-94 v Sri Lanka, Galle 2016
Nick
Roar Pro
It's taken this long for Australia to acknowledge its flaws on the subcontinent? They needed to change their approach 20 yrs ago.
BurgyGreen
Guest
Yeah honestly I don't think there are any batsmen particularly better suited to playing spin than the ones we took. Maybe if Dave Hussey was still around. He might've made some runs in India 2013. People talk about Handscomb but he still averages well under 40 and even though he might be good at flogging the poor tweakers in Australia, there's no substitute for subcontinent experience. I guess Alex Ross has a good sweep but he's a few years away.
Paul D
Roar Guru
They've already started doing this with bowlers - they took Chadd Sayers over to NZ for that tour, even if he didn't play. But he was picked specifically for the conditions. Batsmen need to realize they're subject to rotation too - if they can't use their feet to spinners, they shouldn't be playing in the subcontinent.
bearfax
Guest
I agree.And suggesting Shaun Marsh would have made a load of difference is like clutching snowflakes in the wind
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
talk is cheap
bearfax
Guest
I cant say what the cricket pitches are like in Sri Lanka, but it seemed to me that none of the Australian batsmen, even those reportedly good with spin such as Smith and Voges, managed to cause Sri Lanka any heartburn. Highest average was Smith with 30. Shaun Marsh may have done a little better but given his averages overall, I doubt it would have made much difference. Australia went there under prepared for those conditions