The current Australian batting line-up is looking a bit fragile after the first Test loss and hence, the head coach Justin Langer has passed on the advice of the legendary Allan Border to his batsmen if they are willing to improve their worst streak of performances. After conceding a 0-1 lead in the series, the hosts are currently facing a plethora of challenges and as a matter of fact that they have crossed the 300-run mark only once in their last 13 innings. 

Langer said Australia’s batsmen need to control their aggressive mindset and be careful about when they look to attack the opposition bowlers. As per the quotes in cricket.com.au., the coach said, “Allan Border used to say there’s more time in Test cricket than you’ll ever imagine … you can bat so much time. That’s one of the messages to our young batsmen. One of the things we talk about is partnerships and patience, building pressure on the opposition … it’s one of the important virtues of being a successful Test cricketer.”

The last time the Aussies faced similar batting woes in 1984 when they scored more than 300 only once in 19 innings. All but one of those innings was against the intimidating the Windies squad comprising the likes of Malcolm Marshall and Joel Garner.

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Tim Paine’s team crossed the 300-run mark for the first time since Durban only after a massive effort from Usman Khawaja in Dubai as they salvaged a draw against Pakistan in October. Australia’s record since the series opener in South Africa is zero wins, five losses and one draw.

Finding the balance between attacking and being patient is something that the Australian team is still working on. Sachin Tendulkar was also surprised at Australia’s slow scoring in Adelaide but Langer believed that was mostly a product of the conditions.

Addressing the same, Langer said, “The wicket was really tough to score on. If you look at India, Virat Kohli got 30 in 120 balls or something – that’s telling you something. He’s the best player in the world. There was no plan to bat slowly, it’s just how the game went. Sometimes that’ll happen. Sometimes you’ll get 350 in a day, sometimes you’ll get 200 in a day. India bowled well, we bowled equally as well in the first innings and it was hard to bat on with the slow outfield.”