Follow UsAustralia might have lost the One-Day International series against Sri Lanka but David Warner believes that the sharp-spinning surfaces are helping them prepare perfectly for the forthcoming two-match Test series.
The hosts used six spinners in the fourth ODI on Tuesday (June 21) and defended 258 to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. Sri Lanka bowled 43 overs of spin at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, which was only the 10th instance of spinner bowling 250-plus deliveries in a men's ODI innings.
Warner, who scored a brilliant 99 in the run-chase, said this tactic could backfire in the Test series, which will get underway from June 19 in Galle.
"We're always expecting turning wickets and it's fantastic preparation for us … it's great practice leading into the Test series," the 35-year-old said after the four-run defeat.
"We actually love that they're playing on the wickets back-to-back, that's what we want, we can't get that practice in the nets – the nets are green.
"For us, it's a great practice out in the middle with these dustbowls. It's going to be exciting for the Test matches in Galle because we know what we're going to get there."
The likes of David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey have all featured in the ongoing ODI series and are also part of the Test squad.
The last time Australia played a Test series in Sri Lanka was in 2016 and they were hammered 0-3.
"This is extreme spin, you don't usually see these types of wickets, you only see them here. India is completely different, they're actually good wickets and they turn day three and four," said Warner
"It's about being busy – I remember playing in Dhaka, that was one of the worst wickets I've ever played on, and I made a hundred. It's about committing, it's about concentration and it's about batting for long periods of time.
"In the subcontinent, one little mistake will cost you. You've got to be 'on' all the time. It's going to be difficult, especially with the heat, but we're looking forward to it."
The left-handed opener batted for nearly three hours on Tuesday evening and kept Australia alive in the chase before he was stumped just one short of what could have been his 19th ODI century.
“In one-day cricket, you've got to try and go for it, so it actually helps you be positive. You can take that into the Test match series – use your feet, get deep in your crease, come at them a little bit," said Warner.
"We're seeing what they're going to deliver. These are things that we expect (and) that happened in 2016 – it's just there's no Rangana Herath (this time). They've obviously got other spinners who are in their Test team but it's nothing that's going to be unexpected for us."