Test skipper Tim Paine believes Australia’s batsmen must overcome a mental barrier and be “relentless” at the crease if they are to break their century-drought this summer.
Not since the 1882-83 season against England has Australia failed to produce one century-maker in a summer featuring more than two Tests.
The 136-year-old record is in danger of being broken should one of the hosts’ batters fail to post triple figures in Canberra’s maiden Test, starting tomorrow at Manuka Oval.
“I think it is in every team … batting and scoring hundreds becomes more mental than it is technical,” Paine said today.
“The longer you go without it, the more you want it and the harder you try.
“But at the same time those guys have to concentrate on what they know works and have to be disciplined enough to do it for long enough, and if they are, then they’ll get a hundred this Test.
“I know one thing, the boys want to score Test hundreds, they’re working their backsides off to do it.”
