Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Aussie skipper wary of spin

Australia captain Michael Clarke reckons spin is going to be a massive factor in his side's upcoming battles with Sri Lanka and his team must improve if they wish to prevail.

The two nations are meeting in Twenty20, one-day and Tests matches, with Australia already having gone down 2-0 in the two-match Twenty20 series. Those following the cricket odds will be wondering if they can bounce back.

In the second match, spin king Ajantha Mendis claimed a world record six-wicket haul and Clarke is hoping his side can stand up better to such bowling when the 50-over one-day series begins.

But Australia are a team suffering for form, as they are coming off their 3-1 Ashes reverse last winter, and have looked to revitalise their fortunes by calling up a host of younger players to bring through a new generation. The cricket betting promotions show they need improvement from somewhere.

At least Clarke, who takes over the captaincy from T20 skipper Cameron White, can bring senior batsmen Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey back into the side as Australia look to prove their mettle in the one-day series before the vital three Tests.

"We will get a lot of spin to face. If we are to win the series we have to play spin well," said the skipper.

"If we play our best cricket there is no reason why we can't win the series."

Clarke has described Mendis as a "good bowler in all forms of the game" and the Sri Lanka spinner looks likely to play a major part in the upcoming one-day and Test series between the sides.

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