If Australia manage to avenge their 0-2 defeat to Pakistan in the 2014-15 Test series this time around in the United Arab Emirates, they will have two Indian wrist spinners — Pardeep Sahu and KK Jiyas — to thank. The Australian cricket board has once again hired former India all-rounder Sridharan Sriram to help their batsmen tackle Pakistani spinners Yasir Shah and teenager Shadab Khan when the two teams square off for the two-Test series, starting October 7 in Dubai.

Oz focus on spin
The purpose behind Australia's excessive focus on practising spin is clear from the experience they had on their last tour to the UAE. Yasir and Zulfikar Babar tormented the Aussies with 12 and 14 wickets respectively in the two-Test series. Sriram, who was assistant coach of Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Daredevils, has this time brought along Mumbai-based leg-spinner Sahu and chinaman Jiyas to Dubai's ICC Academy ground, where the Australians are training under the scorching sun.