Darren Lehmann reveals Australia’s greatest components to win Exams in India

For the staff’s forthcoming tour of India, former Australia coach Darren Lehmann has revealed who he believes ought to pair with Nathan Lyon because the staff’s second spinner.

February marks the beginning of a four-match Take a look at collection in India. Spin is anticipated to play a big function in figuring out which staff will prevail and produce house the distinguished Border-Gavaskar trophy in addition to the essential ICC World Take a look at Championship factors that are on supply.

Lehmann was answerable for the Australian squad that final triumphed in a Take a look at match performed on Indian soil in 2017. That victory got here in Pune, the place left-arm spin bowler Stephen O’Keefe bagged 12 wickets to shock the house staff.

Picture Supply: Occasions of India

Significance of Ashton Agar in Indian situations:

Lehmann has urged Australia to take reference from their final outing in Pune, again in 2017, and proceed to observe the development of taking part in two-finger spinners within the beginning 11 this time additionally. He suggested the selectors to choose his fellow southpaw Ashton Agar because the second spinner in India together with Nathan Lyon, forward of the likes of leggie Mitchell Swepson and gifted uncapped off-spinner Todd Murphy.

Though Agar has solely featured in 5 Take a look at matches in his entire profession and went wicketless throughout Australia’s most up-to-date Take a look at match towards South Africa in Sydney, Lehmann believes that the situations within the sub-continent might be favorable for the 29-year-old.

Left-arm spinners have an excellent observe report of reaping rewards on the Indian subcontinent. One such title that emerges as a first-rate instance is Axar Patel. So, Lehmann strongly opines that Ashton might show to be the X-factor participant that Australia would require, similar to Stephen O’Keefe.

The extremely anticipated four-test collection between Australia and India will get underway on February 9, 2023, on the Vidarbha Cricket Affiliation Stadium in Nagpur.

Left-arm spinners from each groups wreaked havoc final week on the similar location, taking a complete of 23 wickets in a Ranji Trophy encounter between Vidarbha and Gujarat.

Aditya Sarwate of Vidarbha was the spotlight of the night with match-winning figures of 11/81 as they defeated Gujarat by 18 runs whereas defending the bottom Ranji Trophy rating of 71.

Affect of a Finger Spinner over Wrist Spinner:

Lehmann on an Australian radio station acknowledged, “I’m definitely extra inclined to play finger spinners since I’ve already been there and am conscious of the situations on supply.”

The ball simply strikes by the air faster, and though some deliveries spin, others don’t. It simply retains the batters guessing and caught in a dilemma as to which supply of a finger spinner would flip and which might skid on and go straight. The leg spinners often spin it an excessive amount of.

Image Source: ICC Cricket — Picture Supply: ICC Cricket

Darren Lehmann mentioned, “The selectors can be presumably eyeing at a finger spinner for that motive. In one of many final Take a look at matches there, Steve O’Keefe bowled India out principally on his personal to assist us win that 4 years in the past, in 2017.”

“That’s why I’d be taking a look at somebody like an Agar, who will be helpful with the bat too, and contribute with the ball as that second spinner.”

He additionally believes that having the posh of Swepson within the group might be essential, ought to the state of affairs warrant the inclusion of a leg-spinner at any level.

With solely a restricted 18 gamers to pick, Lehmann continued, “I can’t imagine there was discuss of him (Swepson) not going; converse in regards to the steadiness of the facet; you desire a very balanced group.”

“Normally, we simply ship 15 gamers over there. Since they’ve extra spinners and extra alternate options, they are going to undoubtedly work out a technique to win over there.

It seems to be a very sturdy squad. If it fits to play the leg-spinner because the second spinner, then good on him.”

World Take a look at Championship Qualification State of affairs:

The collection in India might be important in figuring out who finishes within the prime two spots of the World Take a look at Championship standings and earns a playoff place for the one-off championship decider at The Oval in June.

If we check out the standings of the World Take a look at Championship 2021–2023 season, Australia at present has a wholesome lead over second-placed India on the prime of the desk. However Sri Lanka and South Africa nonetheless have an out of doors probability of sneaking into this yr’s ultimate and may show to be spoilsports for considered one of these groups.

To be able to advance to the ultimate, Lehmann’s former staff solely must keep away from a 4-0 collection whitewash in India. The previous Australian coach is assured that the present Australian staff has a well-balanced facet to realize a constructive collection consequence in addition to recover from the end line comfortably.

Australia Take a look at squad for the tour of India:

Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Inexperienced, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (VC), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner