Respectful Aussies master art of intimidation against Sri Lanka

Australia’s biggest breakthrough against a weak Sri Lankan side might be the discovery that they can intimidate without coming across as bullies.

Sri Lanka's captain Dinesh Chandimal praised Australia’s attitude during the series. (AAP Image/David Gray)

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Australia’s biggest breakthrough against a weak Sri Lankan side might be the discovery that they can intimidate without coming across as bullies.

Finding that delicate balance of playing ‘hard cricket’ without ‘crossing the line’ was always going to be a treacherous tight rope to walk for an Australian side desperately trying to rebuild their shattered reputation from the ground up.

In their first outing after the Sandpaper scandal in Johannesburg, Australia’s bowling was devoid of any aggression and in the field they were as quiet as church mice.

Sri Lanka's captain Dinesh Chandimal praised Australia’s attitude during the series. (AAP Image/David Gray)

But nearly 12 months on against Sri Lanka in Canberra, Australia turned the corner.

The short-pitched fast bowling tactics of the Australian side was brutal, imposing and ruthless against an embattled opposition.

But it was just good, hard Test cricket.

There was no snarling, no sledging, no leering and no belittling to go with it.

Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal declared last night that Australia was a changed side.

And after earlier making the frank admission that the only positive Sri Lanka would take out of the series would be their “slip catching to the fast bowlers”, Chandimal might be the most honest skipper in world cricket.

“Last year (what happened) with the Australian team, we all know about that,” said Chandimal.

Tim Paine has helped rebuild Australia’s reputation. Picture: Ishara S. Kodikara

“And there’s less sledging compared to last time. They’re a really good side and they always keep improving. They can be a better team going forward.

“I can see a lot of improvement with their attitude and performance and they have a hunger to perform.”

For the old Australian team, desire and poor behaviour were two concepts that could not be mutually exclusive.

But led by the fierce but fair Pat Cummins, Australia mastered the art of intimidation without being disrespectful in any way.

Pat Cummins is a key figure in the rejuvenated Australian team. Picture: Ishara S. Kodikara

Australian captain Tim Paine said it’s about having the right individual characters, and the right character as a team.

It’s a powerful tool for Australia to take to England as they look to win matches but also earn respect in the Ashes.

“We spoke at the start of the summer about our main priority was to win back the respect of the Australian public and our cricket fans and sitting here now we’ve gone a long way toward doing that,” said Paine.

Australia will look to take the same attitude to England. (AAP Image/David Gray)

“We’ve probably still got a little bit of work to do but I think we’re on the right track and I couldn’t be happier with the way our coaching staff, our support staff and our playing group have gone about things in some difficult times.

“It’s in difficult times you see the characters you’ve got in your group and it’s confirmed to us we’ve got some good characters, some strong characters and some people we can build a really strong Australian cricket future on.

“I’m the captain of the team. I certainly have a fair say in the way we go about things. In terms of it being my team I see it as a real team effort.

“It’s no one (person’s) team. We’re Australia’s cricket team.

“It’s up for us to wear this cap with pride and play in a way that will make all Australians proud.”

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