Team Australia bank on services of S Sriram ahead of ODI series

Team Australia is all set to challenge the in-form Indian team for a 5-match ODI series. During the Test series leg earlier this year, the Indian team had beaten the visitors. Now, the visitors would want to seek redemption. One man who is expected to play a key role for them is their spin bowling consultant – S Sriram. The former Indian cricketer has been on the roster for the Australian side since 2015.

The Aussie spinners have flourished under his supervision and they would want to continue their good work in the spinning conditions in India. As per the recent quotes in SportsStar, Australian skipper Steve Smith was asked to comment on how S Sriram has been gelling up with the Aussie spinners. Smith was quick to share his words of praise for the former Indian spinner.

“He has been really good. He has great knowledge about how to play in these conditions. He has helped the players, particularly spinners,” Smith quoted.

Earlier this year, after the Pune Test where Steve O’Keefe’s dual six-wicket haul had dented the Indian side, O’Keefe had credited his success to the spin consultant. Things are not different now. During the recent practice session, Ashton Agar, Glenn Maxwell, and Adam Zampa were seen bowling under Sriram’s supervision.

“He (Sriram) gets it, he understands how to bowl in these conditions. He understands what the batters are thinking,” Steve O’Keefe had mentioned.

Mallett recalls his interaction

Former Australian spinner Ashley Mallet also spoke on the same lines recently. He recalled the time when he had met S Sriram in Brisbane. He mentioned that the inputs Sriram gives are very minute and of great benefit for the youngsters.

“He is very good. I met him at the National Cricket Academy in Brisbane. He can actually motivate the young guys. I remember O’Keefe did not get wickets initially, he talked to him at length, advised a few things on how to keep things simple in Indian conditions. And the result was Steve getting six wickets. He is quite good,” Mallet recalled.

Marcus Stoinis also impressed

Meanwhile, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis also had his words of praise reserved for S Sriram. He noted that he has been working with him since his A tour days. Also, as a batsman, he is benefiting by figuring out where the spinners bowl in Indian conditions. Stoinis was very impressive during the recent warm-up fixture.

“We’ve got an Indian spin consultant, and I’ve been working closely with him. So, that all helps. “I’ve been working with him for four months on the trot now. As for what we’ve been working on – that (2015 Australia ‘A’ tour) will be different from this ODI series, but for that, it was mostly (perfecting) defence in the sub-continent. Need to (tighten) your defence before you can go on to attack,” Stoinis mentioned.