Australia need to spin to win: Some bold choices with the bowling attack will be the key to success in Sri Lanka

Most of Australia’s Test squad has arrived in the United Arab Emirates at the International Cricket Council academy ahead of next week’s commencement of the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy.

The two-Test series against Sri Lanka looks to have very difficult conditions with the amount of rainfall seen in Galle.

Not only is rain expected every day before the Test but also rain during the match could risk a result being possible.

Australia is reading the conditions and expects a low bouncing pitch with a lot of turn – and as a result, spinners are dominating the camp.

The Aussies have picked Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Beau Webster as fast-bowling options on the tour but no pace was seen on the first day of the training camp.

Only Boland and Abbott were present and completed some minor fielding but the nets session was led by key spinners Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy.

Part-timer Nathan McSweeney and all-rounder Cooper Connolly also bowled significant workloads.

Australia have a poor record in the last 20 years in Sri Lanka. Only winning two of their previous eight Test matches isn’t pretty reading.

Australia struggle to adapt to foreign conditions if I had to nitpick, it’s a concerning element of this team.

Considering the World Test Championship has already been booked against South Africa, this serves as an opportunity to be bold.

Nathan Lyon. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Matthew Kuhnemann who broke his right thumb is yet to fly out and I’m not convinced, even if he does join the squad, that he will be match ready for the first game of the series.

Smith should be ready for the series, however, after being cleared of any serious injury and should captain the team.

So how should Australia be bold? The answer lies in a single-pace bowler.

Personally, with the minor injury Starc sustained during the Boxing Day Test, I think Boland should be the sole pace bowler.

Averaging 17.66 for his 56 test wickets sees him as a reliable safe option whilst the traditional three-pronged attack prepares for South Africa.

This could allow McSweeney to get another chance further down the order and add a spin option with Connolly playing a similar role.

Further evaluation of these hybrid players will help Australia on its next tour of India.

Australia shouldn’t be concerned by the result of the series. Smith and his men would love to continue holding every bilateral trophy but Australia’s improvements lie overseas by beating England and India in their own backyards.

Finding players such as Connolly which could prove to be effective in turning conditions can add depth to the squad.

The last few years I’ve questioned how good Australia’s ability to replace players will be but I’m optimistic the next generation is starting to show itself.