Aussies reaping rewards of Dubai camp

Australia, who hold a 1-0 lead in their four-Test series against India, are reaping the rewards of a pre-tour training camp in Dubai.

If Australia record their second Test series win in India since 1969, it's safe to say they will be organising a few more training camps in Dubai.

Desperate to end a nine-Test losing streak in Asia, Cricket Australia decided to do things differently before the four-Test series in India.

Instead of playing an additional tour game on the subcontinent, coach Darren Lehmann opted for an intra-squad match in the United Arab Emirates.

Australia spent the better part of two weeks at the International Cricket Council's academy, training on a range of pitches intended to replicate Indian decks.

It allowed Lehmann to control the conditions the 16-man squad worked in as they fine-tuned their subcontinent approach - something that was never going to happen in India.

"It gave all the batters the opportunity to bat for long periods of time on wickets that weren't Australian," allrounder Mitch Marsh said in Bangalore, where the second Test starts on Saturday.

"They didn't have much bounce, they had a fair bit of turn and we were able to practice our gameplan in conditions that were similar to here.

"If we win the series we'll probably be going back to Dubai (before future tours of the subcontinent), I would've thought. For me it was awesome and I really enjoyed it. In the future if it happens it will be great."

Australia hold a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series, having shocked the hosts by 333 runs on a raging turner in Pune.

England also trained in Dubai prior to their breakthrough series win in India, which came in 2012. That contest featured India's most recent Test loss at home, prior to the boilover in Pune.

Vice-captain David Warner believed the tune-up helped his side prepare mentally and physically for the ensuing challenge against the top-ranked Test side.

"The guys that went to Dubai early, they were all talking about how good it was to prepare over there and get their mind set and get the miles in the legs," Warner said.

"We're truly grateful for that opportunity.

"As a player sometimes when you're in this heat you fatigue quite fast. The next day, when you're not used to it, you can't back up."

Lehmann indicated his squad could hardly be better prepared prior to the first Test, while skipper Steve Smith almost indicated there would be "no excuses".

"Dubai was great, Smith said.

"The conditions we got there, we were able to prepare the wickets we wanted that didn't have a great deal of bounce. All the sort of things you get over here."


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Source: AAP



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