Hyderabad: After being bamboozled by spin twins — Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav — at their own backyard, Australia are well aware of the threat that awaits them when the limited-overs series begins with a T20 leg at Visakhapatnam on February 24. The Aussies have been sweating it out at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here in preparation for the crucial series.
Australia’s spin consultant Sridharan Sriram said the focus would be on the slow blowers. “In white ball cricket, especially in the middle overs, the role of a spinner is very important. Every team in the World Cup has got good spinners. It goes without saying that the slow bowlers are going to be the key. The Indians, wherever we play them, are a great white-ball side. Their batsmen's ability to strike the ball is phenomenal. They are up for the challenge but we know what to expect and are preparing accordingly. I don’t think we can go in with any fixed mindset in India,” Sriram said.
He said Chahal and Kuldeep make a deadly pair. “They are very clever, crafty and have shown that they are not only successful in India but also outside. That is a great attribute. Their ability to change their game plan, given the opposition and the conditions, is extremely good,” Sriram added.
Australia would be missing pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, but he expects others to step up in their absence. “It’s a great opportunity for the guys coming in. Nathan Coulter-Nile is a very experienced bowler and Pat Cummins is the No.1 Test bowler in the world. Jhye Richardson has shown so much promise,” Sriram said.
Talking about Nathan Lyon, he said the offie has come a long way. “One of the main things is his consistency of length. If he can do that and spin the ball both ways, which he does when he is bowling at his best, he offers a lot to the team along with his batting,” he said.
