Australia v India ODI series: Aussies dumped six machines in bid to counter spin-heavy attacks

Australia has made significant changes to their batting gameplan just six months out from their World Cup defence in England to help combat the serious threat of spin-heavy attacks.

Chris Lynn was a surprise omission from the Aussie ODI squad.

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Australia has made significant changes to their batting gameplan just six months out from their World Cup defence to help combat the serious threat of spin-heavy attacks.

Captain Aaron Finch revealed recent bowling tactics thrown at Australia had contributed to the shock omissions of six-machines Chris Lynn and D’Arcy Short for the upcoming series against India.

“Teams are bowling 20-25 overs of spin at us at the moment in one-day cricket, that’s the recent trend,” Finch said.

Chris Lynn was a surprise omission from the Aussie ODI squad

“So it’s probably just a different make-up of the side to help navigate through the middle overs.”

Australia dumped Lynn, Short and Travis Head from their 14-man squad to take on India, which assembles in Sydney on Tuesday.

Squad bolters Pete Handscomb and Usman Khawaja are among the country’s best players of spin and can anchor an innings.

“Do you pick a gameplan and (then) pick a side for that, or do you pick a side and then pick a game plan?” Finch said.

“We’ve sat down as a group and talked longer-term planning – World Cup and working back from there – and starting to get some pieces in place and see where that leads.”

Finch said Australia modified their gameplan after November’s ODI series loss (2-1) to South Africa on home soil, where Lynn, Short and Head all failed to fire.

“We (picked) guys with high strike-rates (against South Africa). and that was on the back of the JLT Cup where they were the highest run-scorers and the best players in that competition,” Finch said.

The trio failed to register a half-century with Lynn averaging 19.6 runs, Head just five and Short making a duck in his only appearance.

But Finch said it “definitely” was not the end for Lynn or Short.

“I’ve seen the form (Short’s) been in, he’s been hitting the balls as clean as I’ve ever seen him,” Finch said.

“His turn will come, no doubt.

“There’s been a bit of talk about who’s in and who’s out and who’s missed out, but when we play these three games (against India) and play really well it’ll be nice.”

D'Arcy Short failed to fire in his only innings against South Africa in November.

After Australia’s three-match series against India they play a return five-game series and then another five-game series against Pakistan.

“They’re conditions that traditionally we haven’t played our best in and I’m really determined for our side to overcome that,” Finch said.

“To be a really good side and win a World Cup in English conditions that are going to be wearing and probably turn a little bit towards the end of the tournament, these are the tours you’ve got to really look forward to and really look to take the game on.

“Make sure that when you walk away from that you feel as though you are 100 per cent prepared for any conditions and any challenges in world cricket.”