CHENNAI: Australians are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to be successful in India, or to put up a better show than the 2013 tour, when they lost all four Tests. Playing and bowling spin are areas of focus and like in the past, Sridharan Sriram is their consultant.
The former Tamil Nadu stalwart, who played eight ODIs from 2000-2004, is delighted to be signed up by Cricket Australia. Australia have not won a Test in India after 2004 and their board wants its team to have the best of preparation for the tough series.
Former England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar will also be helping Australia’s spinners. He has already started his job and is trying to help them mentally prepare for the job. Sriram, on the other hand, is likely to be their go-to man for inputs on dos and don’ts on turning surfaces.
The Aussie spin pack of off-spinner Nathan Lyon, left-armers Stephen O’Keefee, Ashton Agar and leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson will work with Sriram. Swepson is rated high by legend Shane Warne and could be the dark horse for the visitors.
“My past experience with the Australian side, in particular the A side when came to India (July 2015), may have helped me get the job. I am delighted at the big responsibility given to me and hope my inputs will come in handy,” said Sriram who is also part of Delhi Daredevils support staff.
Usman Khawaja, O’Keefe and Peter Handscomb, who were part of the Australia A squad, have been named in the Test squad. “Monty will train with the boys in Brisbane. When the team arrives in India, my job will be to give them inputs on how to play spin and help the spinners know how to exploit the surface to the maximum,” said the former left-handed batsman.
The 40-year-old wants to have a word with Australia coach Darren Lehmann on how to go about the process. In the past, Australia have turned to Sriram, most notably during the World T20 hosted by India last year. He was also supposed to assist them during the Bangladesh tour, but it was postponed because of security reasons. “We will have two weeks to prepare in India. It is during that time we will sit out and plan strategy,” revealed Sriram.
One of the best ways to counter spin is to play the sweep shot. Will he give his inputs on this to the likes of Handscomb? “I have not seen them for a while.
We will have to see when they come here, what their plan is and how they wish to counter spin. First I have to see what is in their mind as far as approach goes and then give my inputs. Nevertheless, it is an exciting job and I wish to give it my best,” signed off Sriram.
ashok.v@newindianexpress.com