Australia need to do better job with the bat, feels Allan Border

Allan Border, former Australian captain, believes Shaun Marsh would strengthen Australia's batting order in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, starting on Thursday (August 4).


After a shock 106-run defeat in the first Test, where they only made scores of 203 and 161, Australia's batting line-up is under pressure ahead of conditions expected to heavily favour spin in Galle. It was Australia's seventh straight defeat away from home against sub-continent teams, leading Border to plea for changes to be made.

"We're not going to win games in the sub-continent when we score 360 runs across two innings," Border told foxsports.com.au on Tuesday (August 2). "We've got to do a better job with the bat and if that means more specialist batting in the line-up and backing our four bowlers to get our wickets then so be it. It's not our usual method but we've got to find a better method for these pitches."

Marsh memorably scored a Test century on debut in Sri Lanka five years ago but has been unable to carve out a permanent spot due to inconsistencies and injuries. The 33-year-old did, however, score a career best 182 in his last Test against the West Indies in December and performed well in Australia's practice matches ahead of the first Test.

Border, who played 156 Tests from 1978-94, believed either Josh Hazelwood or Mitchell Marsh needed to make way for the left-hander. "Do we need both Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc or even Mitchell Marsh? If he's the best No.6, fair enough but if he's not, maybe you've got to pick another batsman," he said. "We went in with three quicks (Starc, Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh) and Mitchell Marsh barely bowled. Is that how Australia is best served? We've got to ask if Shaun Marsh is a better player than Mitchell Marsh or Josh Hazlewood for this eleven in these conditions."

Border, who captained Australia in 93 Tests, believed Steve Smith's side needed to utilise more overs from their part-time spinners. "We've got to get more overs out of (Adam) Voges and (Steve) Smith, because even though they're part-timers they land them pretty well on pitches that turn a bit," he said. "They were totally underused in that last game.

"In Australia where the wickets are pretty flat, it might be a waste of time bowling those two but on a pitch that's offering a bit of turn even I become a good bowler," he added.