Likely to Play Two Spinners Lehmann

Likely to Play Two Spinners Lehmann

Australian coach Darren Lehmann is determined to climb up the ICC Test rankings but does not want to put pressure on his side by being anxious about their current standing. Australia, the fourth-placed Test nation, do have a tricky situation when they take on the hosts in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to start at Dhaka from August 27.

If the visitors lose the series by a 2-0 margin, they will drop down to the sixth position. If Bangladesh win by a 1-0 margin or if the series is drawn, then the visitors will drop one spot to fifth while if they win the series 2-0, then they will remain fourth.

"If you are not number one it doesn't matter where you are," Lehman told reporters at Dhaka on Tuesday (August 22).

"For us we have got to get up in the ranking. It's a challenge for us to play well and it is not going to be easy Test series and no doubt about that," he said. "We really got some quality players and we cannot worry about rankings. We can worry about games in Dhaka and Chittagong and that is what we focus on. At the moment live on the present."

Lehman added that though he is not aware of the conditions in Bangladesh but would opt to have two-spinners in operation when they take on the hosts. "We obviously haven't played too much so we know where we want to go. It is a decision we make after we look at the Test wicket and conditions," said Lehmann. "Mostly likely I think we will play two spinners."

Lehmann added that he is confident with Ashton Agar's ability and even though the competition for the second spinner's slot is tight, the 23-year-old's allround skills will give him the edge.

"His [Ashton] lengths are a lot better. He has had a good Sheffield Shield season last year," said Lehmann.

"It is really tight between all the spinners. But Ashton batted really well and he is a gun fielder. We are really pleased for him. We are hoping for Ashton to reproduce that sort of form. He was excellent over there but we have decided to go with Ashton. He has got an allround game that he hopefully can take to the next level.

"For example when we play three quicks, he can play up the order. He gives us a lot of flexibility in that way," he added.

Lehmann pointed out that it is important for his seamers to strike early considering Bangladesh bat deep. "They have got some quality batsmen all the way down the list," he said. "They actually got a really good record at home. They did well against England. Their top order is a key to how they bat and so we have to make early inroads with the new ball. It will spin and probably reverse the way the wicket goes. They have good depth and are a good side at home.

"The challenge for us is to win a series away from home," he added pointing towards their failure to have a good run in the subcontinent. Australia have won only two matches in the subcontinent in the last 10 years.