Subcontinent strategies not working: Smith

Australian captain Steve Smith has conceded that the preparation and execution for sub-continent tours isn't working and changes need to be considered.

Dean Jones has often wondered why Australia don't pick batsmen for sub-continental Test tours who are better suited against spin, and Steve Smith is now open to the idea.

After Sri Lanka hammered the tourists by 229 runs in the second Test in Galle on Saturday to seal the three-match series, the Australian skipper was looking for answers.

Australia have now lost eight straight Tests away to sub-continental teams and face a four-Test tour of India early next year.

Former Test batsman Jones advocates the 'horses for courses' policy for selecting batsmen on dry Asian wickets, just as bowling line-ups change depending on the conditions.

"Yeah it certainly needs to be looked at," said Smith.

"If there are guys that can play spin well in these conditions then it's certainly got to be a chance... whatever we're doing it's not working. So yeah there might be a need for some changes."

The third Test start in Colombo next Saturday and Australia may potentially bring in Shaun Marsh, regarded as a strong player of slow bowling and who scored a century on debut in Sri Lanka in 2011.

He could come in at the expense of Joe Burns or Usman Khawaja, who both scored heavily over the Australian summer but have been very dry for runs on tour.

"We have been outplayed in both Test matches... but we've still got plenty to play for in Colombo," said Smith.

"We have got to try and prove to ourselves and the public that we can play in these conditions."

While the batting has been the biggest disappointment, Smith pointed out that the spinners haven't pulled their weight either given the wickets are well suited to the turning ball.

The Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo is, naturally, expected to spin so changes to the bowling attack are unlikely.

Jon Holland was well contained in his debut in Galle and will retain his spot, if not for the fact Australia only have two spinners in the 15-man squad.

Mitchell Starc was brilliant in Galle, the paceman's 11-94 - his best Test figures and best by a paceman at the ground - not enough to lift his side to a series-equalling win.

"I thought all of the fast bowlers did a pretty good job for us in this game, but to be fair, it shouldn't be them taking the wickets," said Smith.

"It should be our spinners that are getting the job done... we've gone at over four an over for both Test matches, so we've got to find a way for the spinners to get wickets in these conditions."

BEST MATCH FIGURES BY PACEMEN AT GALLE

Mitchell Starc (Aus) 11-94 Aug 2016

Dale Steyn (SA) 9-99 Jul 2014

Morne Morkel (SA) 7-78 Jul 2014

Waqar Younis (Pak) 7-79 Jun 2000

Lasitha Malinga (SL) 7-105 Jul 2010

BEST FIGURES BY AN AUSTRALIAN IN A TEST WHEN ON LOSING SIDE

Merv Hughes 13-217 v West Indies, Perth 1988

Charlie Turner 12-87 v England, Sydney 1888

Hugh Trumble 12-89 v England, The Oval 1896

Alan Davidson 12-124 v India, Kanpur 1959

Shane Warne 12-128 v South Africa, Sydney 1994

Geoff Dymock 12-166 v India, Kanpur Oct 1979

Hugh Trumble 12-173 v England, The Oval 1902

Jason Krejza 12-358 v India, Nagpur 2008

Mitchell Starc 11-94 v Sri Lanka, Galle 2016


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Source: AAP



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