Lehmann hints at picking ODI performers for India Tests

Darren Lehmann, Australia coach, has said that performances of players in limited-overs cricket against Sri Lanka will be taken into consideration for Test selection in India. Australia, who returned from Sri Lanka after winning the One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International series, were earlier thrashed 3-0 in the Tests.

"We thought the side we selected for the Test series (in Sri Lanka) was right (based) on form and the previous matches we played," Lehmann told on Sunday (September 11). "Obviously we didn't play as well as we would've liked (in the Tests) and some of the guys struggled with the conditions here and that's understandable, that happens sometimes."

While the Australian batsmen struggled against the Sri Lankan spinners in the longer format, the likes of Aaron Finch, George Bailey, Matthew Wade and Glenn Maxwell succeeded against them in the limited-overs with their counter-attacking play. Bailey scored at an average of 67, Wade made 156 runs and Finch notched up two half centuries in the ODIs, following which, Maxwell stole the show in the first T20I with a quick-fire 145. Lehmann hailed the change of fortunes and explained how picking players for Test series in India based on ODI form will not be a new idea.

"We've certainly done that before when George Bailey played really well in India and got picked in the Ashes home series a few years back. The way (the limited-overs team has) played has been exceptional. That's all you can do - put your name up in lights (from) the way you play in the one-day format. All performances for Australia count and that's really important."

"Those one-day guys have come in and they've performed really well and that's impressive. And that's all you can do when you're looking to another tour in February of India, for example, looking at the whole squad and what we take there.

"We've got a pretty important home summer as well... so we'll have a look at those over the next few weeks," he added.

While the focus is on the upcoming home season where Australia are set to play three Tests against South Africa, followed by three Tests against Pakistan, it will be the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India which will be the true test of temperament and ability against turn for the batsmen.

Even as many Australian players are used to the Indian conditions having played in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the pitches for Test cricket are likely to be rank turners, as witnessed by South Africa late last year. That India would've finished hosting New Zealand and England by the time Australia reach the subcontinent adds to the challenge for the visitors.