Swepson turns to spin guru in India

Former India allrounder and spin consultant Sridharan Sriram has been described as a "genius" by Australia's Test stars and is once again imparting his wisdom on the country's premier leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson.

Sriram is part of Australia A's support staff led by head coach Graeme Hick and assistant Ryan Harris for the ongoing quadrangular one-day series and next month's four-day matches in India.

The 42-year-old has worked with Australia's top spinners for the past few years on Asian tours, and was part of the support staff in last year's memorable Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in the subcontinent where he worked with Swepson and Ashton Agar, the two specialist spinners in the Australia A one-day squad.

It was Agar, along with suspended skipper Steve Smith, who called 'Sri' a "genius" on that Test tour of India in 2017, and Swepson says the spin guru has once again been a useful resource as he prepares to take on India A at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday.

And beyond that, Swepson is in line to play two four-day matches against India A which precede Australia's Test tour to the UAE, where they'll face Pakistan.

"'Sri' has been great," Swepson said. "He's been a great help for me personally as a spin bowling consultant.

"He's always looking at ways I can improve my game technically and tactically as well, trying to get balls to hit the stumps, using variations and things like that.

"But also sticking to super-strengths and that's trying to spin the ball hard, which is what I've always tried to do as a leggie.

"'Hicky' and 'Ryno' they've mirrored that message as well – trying to hit the stumps but also giving the ball a good rip and that's what I'll try and do."

Australia's selectors are expected to name the squad for the Test series against Pakistan in the immediate aftermath of the four-day tour, which is set conclude on September 11.

Swepson will be vying for a spinning spot alongside left-arm spinners Agar and Jon Holland in the two four-day matches in Vizag, in a bid to impress selectors and earn a ticket to the UAE.

National coach Justin Langer has stated the 'A' tour will have a "huge" impact on the Test squad, but Swepson is putting the team success first and foremost. 

"It's a massive series for everyone," he said.

"Obviously, the UAE tour is coming up, I think a lot of people will be wanting to press their case for that.

"I certainly will be, but for me it's always been the same – I've always not looked too far ahead, look at the next game, do as best I can for the team.

"And if we get performances as a team, the individual performances will be there and if that happens to be me so be it, that'll be great.

"If not, hopefully I can just do a role for the team."

Australia A Tour of India

Australia A one-day squad: Travis Head (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Joel Paris, Matthew Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, D'Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitch Swepson, Chris Tremain, Jack Wildermuth

Schedule

One-day fixtures

17 August v India A: Match abandoned

19 August v South Africa A: Match abandoned

21 August v India B: Match abandoned

23 August v India A

25 August v South Africa A

27 August v India B

29 August - Quad-Series Final

Australia A four-day squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Michael Neser, Joel Paris, Kurtis Patterson, Matthew Renshaw, Mitch Swepson, Chris Tremain

Four-day fixtures in Vizag

2-5 September v India A

8-11 September v India A