Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

Australia vs Sri Lanka Test Series: 3 things Australia must do

Australia’s best chance for a series win since Cape Town is here. England, Pakistan, South Africa and India across formats represented very tough tests that Australia couldn’t quite pass, and they begin the Sri Lanka series as strong favourites.

However, Australia and Tim Paine will need to do more than ask Niroshan Dickwella if he would like to babysit. Or if he would like to play for Hobart Hurricanes, or that you possibly can’t like Dinesh Chandimal as a bloke.

This is a series, as short as it is, where Australia need to start getting back into good habits. Sri Lanka will walk onto the Gabba believing they can do the job, and given Australia’s lack of application at times against India, nothing is out of the question.

Australia, to improve the mood among fans, not only must win this series, but also go about it in clinical fashion. Here are three key things Australia must focus on.

Also read: Cricket fan heaven! Top 10 cricket bats of 2019.

Show hunger with the bat: convert starts

Australia’s top seven had 29 scores of over 20 in the recent Test series against India. None of them were converted to centuries. India had five. In fact, Marcus Harris’ score of 79 in Sydney was the highest score – the lowest highest score for Australia in a series in 100 years.

Much is made about Sri Lanka’s lack of bowling punch compared to India. However, if Australia aren’t hungry for runs, Sri Lanka will always be a chance. One particular example in the India series was Travis Head – Australia’s second leading scorer for the series – playing a loose drive in Melbourne after batting for 95 balls. Footwork was non-existent, and bat was away from the body, with head position nowhere near over the ball. It was a shot you’d see early in an innings, not after 95 balls.

Australia need to begin rectifying the lack of temperament on display vs India, with a focus on converting starts and making big centuries. With Kurtis Patterson in terrific form in the lead up, he could be tasked with leading the way in his debut series.

Image credit: Getty Images. Australia vs Sri Lanka Test Series: Can Australia convert starts?

Be ruthless with the ball – focus on greater efficiency

Sri Lanka might not have Cheteshwar Pujara or Virat Kohli, but they still possess capable cricketers.

Australia lacked penetration at times against India, especially in the last two Tests, showing a complete inability to get the ball moving. With the series kicking off with the pink ball, Australia must emphasise good seam position, which was of scarce occurrence in the recent series. Eyes will be on Mitchell Starc, who was well under par against India, to get the ball swinging again with the new ball. His wrist position wasn’t right in the four Tests against India, and this is a chance to get it right.

Also, with Pat Cummins and Peter Siddle/Jhye Richardson making up the pace attack, Australia need to focus on bowling fuller with surprise short balls, rather than overdoing the short ball.

Image credit: Getty Images. Australia vs Sri Lanka Test Series: Mitchell Starc was not good vs India

No complacency

All the talk is about how Australia are favourites. However, this Aussie side is in no position to think this will be an easy win.

The batsmen need to play the ball late, and show appetite for the long innings. The bowlers need to be ruthless with their execution.

This is a good opportunity to break the winless drought, but the way Australia go about it will also determine the mood at series’ end.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Cricket fan heaven! Top 10 cricket bats of 2019.

Australia vs Sri Lanka Test Series: 3 things Australia must do