Murali and Vettori give away the secrets to spin bowling in Australia

What kind of spinners will enjoy success at the T20 World Cup in Australia? Ask Muthiah Muralidaran, and he backs wrist spinners – like the recently crowned Asia Cup Player of the Tournament – Wanindu Hasaranga. Pick Daniel Vettori’s brain, and he believes finger spinners – of the R Ashwin mould – will get more out of those surfaces. Both, however, agree on one thing: use the bounce in Australia to your advantage.

Vettori, in particular, stressed the art of imparting topspin, like Nathan Lyon has done with great success in Test cricket on these very grounds. “In New Zealand and Australia, and England to a lesser degree, it is about all the drift and the number of revolutions you get on the ball,” Vettori said at a media interaction in Kolkata. “Whereas on the subcontinent you can have the wicket do a bit more work for you.

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“And we all know Ashwin is exceptional at that [topspin] from how he bowls in Test matches. The thing is he’s come off the back of a great IPL and he’s one of those guys who are very adaptable, who understands what he needs to do in every situation. If he’s picked, he will know what to do. He has been in Australia many times before. Among India’s plethora of spinners, most of them are all-rounders as well, that’s what sets them apart and gives them so much balance.”

Muralidaran, on the other hand, believes that a wrist spinner’s ability to generate more sidespin gives them the upper hand. That sort of skill, he believes, makes someone like Hasaranga – at an average of 18.88 at the Asia Cup – the one to watch out for. “In Australia, legspinners have more chance than finger spinners because you can get a sideways spin and bounce will help,” Muralidaran said. “I think Hasaranga will be a difficult opponent to bat against because you have to be careful facing him. But still, there are players who can play [him] well.