Australia's game against spin a 'work in progress': Rod Marsh

Historically, not too many Australian sides have enjoyed much success playing on turning tracks. In order to improve their record in the sub-continent, Cricket Australia has taken various measures over the last few years. Among other things, a tour to India was organised for the Australia A side and specifically designed spin-pitches were set up in the National Cricket Centre. Even before going to Sri Lanka for the four-match Test series, select players were sent to Chennai for pre-tour acclimatisation, before a two-week build-up for the squad took place in Colombo.

However, none of it paid off as a Sri Lankan side, in transition, managed to beat the No 1 ranked Test team in the world by 106 runs in Pallekele on Saturday (July 30). Not only was it Sri Lanka's second win against Australia in Test cricket, it was also Steve Smith's first defeat in 12 matches as captain in the longest format.
Rod Marsh, Australia's chairman of selector, feels there is nothing much that they can do to help improve the side's Test record. "What else can we do really?" Marsh asked on Sunday (July 31). "We send them off to India, we send them to other parts of the world where the ball turns, we played an 'A' series in India last year and they batted well against good spin bowling.

"But it gets to a Test match and whether it's the extra pressure of it being a Test match, whether it's the fact that we historically haven't done well on turning pitches on the subcontinent - whether that plays on their minds, I'm not sure. But it's a work in progress," he added.

Despite getting bowled out for 161 in the first innings, Sri Lanka managed to stage a commanding comeback. While Kusal Mendis was the star with his knock of 176 - more than thrice of the second-highest scorer in the match (Steve Smith's 55) - it was the spin duo of veteran Rangana Herath (9-103) and new-comer Lakshan Sandakan (7-107) that rattled the Australian batsmen.

"People talk about the way we play spin bowling, well there's no doubt about the fact we don't play it as well as the way we play pace bowling in Australia. But that's something that's a work in progress. Everyone's had the preparation for this tour, we couldn't have done anymore. We had an opportunity after bowling them out for 117, and we only make 200 - unbelievable," Marsh said.

Australia have made only one change to the side for the second Test, with Jon Holland coming in for Steve O'Keefe, who injured his right hamstring while bowling in the second innings. "I don't think we can pick a better team. We've got all the people who deserve to be here on numbers."

The former Australian wicketkeeper even defended the selection of opener David Warner, who missed the practice games due to injury. He returned with scores of 0 and 1 in the first Test, the lowest by an Australian opener since Mark Taylor's pair against Pakistan in 1994.

"He wouldn't have played if he wasn't fit enough. You saw him field. His fielding was outstanding. He just missed out with the bat. That can happen," he concluded.

Australia's quest for a series-levelling victory over the hosts will begin on Thursday, when the two teams square off in Pallakele for the second Test.