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Australia, spin, and Asia are terms that havent gotten along well together, especially over the last decade. There was a period between 2002 and 2006 when they had a stunning record in Asia, winning ten out of 12 Tests: they blanked Pakistan and Sri Lanka 3-0, beat India 2-1 and Bangladesh 2-0. Shane Warne was in peak form during this period, taking an incredible 78 wickets from 11 Tests in Asia, while the batting line-up included Damien Martyn, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Darren Lehmann - batsmen who could cope with the spin challenge thrown at them.Since then, though, Asian tours have largely been unfulfilled campaigns for Australia. The one bright spot was in 2011, when they defeated Sri Lanka 1-0, but they have lost eight of ten Tests in India, two out of two in the UAE against Pakistan, and two out two here in Sri Lanka.In the period between 2002 and 2006, what stands out is the Australian bowling average in Asia. Much has been written, quite justifiably, about the Australian batsmens inability to cope with the turning ball lately, but the problem has also been the lack of incisiveness of the bowling unit to hunt as a pack and consistently take wickets and control the game in the field. Between 2002 and 2006, Australia had all their bowling bases covered - Warne was in top form and took care of the spin department, while Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie were outstanding fast bowlers even in the subcontinent. In that period, the Australian bowlers averaged 23.86 runs per wicket; since then it has gone up to more than 40, while the batting numbers have been especially poor in the last eight Tests. A further break-up of the bowling numbers indicates the fall for both pace and spin, but the difference is especially stark for the spinners. From an average of 21.24 during the Warne days, it has ballooned to around 50 over the last decade, a decline of more than 100%. Apart from the drop in average, the spinners have also been increasingly ineffective at controlling the game. Their economy rates over the three periods have risen from 3.18 to 3.71 to 4.16 (in the last eight Tests in Asia). That lack of control has forced the captain to rely more on the quick bowlers, thus decreasing their wicket-taking potency as well.A comparison of the spin stats with the other top non-Asian teams shows that Australia and New Zealand have been the two sides whose spinners have especially struggled for wickets. However, while New Zealands spinners averaged 50.80, they have at least been able to exercise some control over the game, going at 3.44 per over. Australias spinners have leaked 4.16 runs per over while averaging nearly 50. Despite such unimpressive numbers, Australias spinners have bowled 47% of the teams overs in Asia since 2012, which means they have surrendered control to the home batsmen for large periods; in low-scoring games those periods have often been decisive. Nathan Lyon, Australias main spinner during this period, has been candid enough to admit that he hasnt yet mastered the art of bowling in Asia, where overspin isnt as effective as on bouncier pitches of Australia and South Africa. In fact, Lyons overseas average outside of Asia is extremely impressive, and his economy rate of 2.88 indicates his control over proceedings.In Asia, though, his average is almost 45 and his economy rate close to four an over. Among the 35 non-Asian spinners who have bowled at least 250 overs in Asia, only three have a poorer average than Lyons 44.42. His strike rate of 68.4 is ninth among these 35 bowlers, but his economy rate is the poorest, which pushes his average to 32nd. The batting against spin has obviously been a problem in Australias last three series in Asia, which is reflected in the overall averages dropping from the mid-30s to 23.42. Against spin, Australia have averaged 20.56 in these last three series, poorer than all non-Asian teams except South Africa, since the start of 2012. They have also lost a greater percentage of wickets to spin than any other team.Its clear that all non-Asian teams have struggled against spin in Asia in these last five years, with no team averaging more than 28, but England, New Zealand and West Indies have still done about 30% better than Australia. Add that to better displays by their spinners, and its clear why some of those teams have had more success than Australia during this period. Australias batting problems in Asia are reflected in the stats of their two main batsmen in the continent. David Warner and Steven Smith have been prolific at home, averaging more than 60. Smith averages nearly 60 in overseas Tests excluding Asia, with centuries in England, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies. However, he is still searching for his first Test century in Asia, where his average drops to less than 38.Warners overseas numbers excluding Asia arent quite as impressive as Smiths, but the average is still a reasonable 41.38, with three hundreds in South Africa. However, in Asia, his average drops to 32.37, with only one hundred in 16 innings.With a four-Test series in India coming up next year, Australia have plenty to do if they are to avoid the embarrassment of 2013. Wholesale Hurricanes Jerseys . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Carolina Hurricanes Shirts . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. https://www.cheaphurricanes.com/ . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Custom Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Stitched Hurricanes Jerseys . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. MINNEAPOLIS -- Tom Thibodeau, king of solitary marathon film sessions, got lonely.It happened throughout the past year as he moved around the country, trying to take advantage of a paid year away from the NBA. In all, he spent time with 13 NBA teams, watching practices, having lunches with coaches, watching games and, of course, going through security checks and riding shuttle buses.I didnt like traveling alone, Thibodeau said. It got to me. I dont know how people do it.The Minnesota Timberwolves hired Thibodeau because of his strong history of teaching defense and his demonstrated ability to squeeze everything out of his Chicago Bulls teams from 2010-15. But owner Glen Taylor, who gave him a five-year, $40 million deal to also oversee the teams basketball operations, might be getting a coach who is slightly different from the one the NBA last saw.Thibodeau kept telling people he viewed last year as a sabbatical. That meant more than rest, it also meant training. In all that time alone, Thibodeau did a lot of thinking and considering. Whether it will lead to real changes is to be seen.Thibodeaus methods were often branded as old school, even though he repeatedly showed his defensive principles were designed to slow modern offenses. When it came to playing time and the 3-point shot, well, he wasnt as progressive.But there are already signs he is trying to modernize his approach in his first days working with one of the leagues most promising young rosters. As an example, Thibodeau for the first time has hired a shooting coach -- Peter Patton, who was schooled by San Antonio Spurs shooting coach Chip Engelland -- because as he went around the league he noted many teams were adding the position. Patton wont just work with the Wolves players, he will consult the front office in looking at player acquisitions and draft preparation. Again, thats progressive.When examining how the Wolves can break their 12-year playoff drought, Thibodeau immediately pointed to the 3-point line. The Wolves finished 29th in 3-point attempts and makes last season.We gave up nine [3-pointers] a game, and we made only five and a half, Thibodeau said. Thats like starting the game 10 points behind.Thibodeaus Bulls teams werent 3-point heavy. They were 28th in attempts in 2013-14 and 29th in 2012-13, though in his final season, they improved to 16th. Some of that, of course, was due to personnel. But his focus on it now is part of the old-fashioned coachs attempts to evolve.Were a work in progress, Thibodeau said, perhaps even talking a little about himself. Weve got to close the gap.Thibodeau has been using that line a lot in the first days of the season, sometimes reaching his arms out and making a symbolic squeezing motion.The team had plenty of salary-cap space this summer, and some speculated theyd get deep into the bidding on former Bull Luol Deng. But instead of using a large block to chase a veteran starter, they signed a range of reserve players, including?Cole Aldrich, Jordan Hill and Brandon Rush. Thibodeau also signed veterans John Lucas III and Rasual Butler, both of whom played for him with the Bulls, to help the transition for younger players and to teach his systems.The Wolves left $10 million in cap space unused, and two of their highest-paid players, Kevin Garnett and Nikola Pekovic, wont be playing for the team this season. Its a young, relatively cheap and deep roster, albeit still largely unproven.In theory, at least, all the bodies should reduce Thibodeaus famous dependence on riding his front-line players for major minutes, which some believed led to the Bulls rash of injuries. Long-term rest techniques and injury-prevention methods were other league trends Thibodeau observed, notably in his time around the Golden State Warriors and their strength in numbers vision.I liked the core of the team. I want to get to know them better, he said. Im going to focus on the players we have. That gives me a better idea of what our needs are.The Wolvees finished last season ranked 27th in defensive rating, a woeful number that Thibodeau certainly has the expertise to improve.dddddddddddd They did win four of their last five games, including a bit of a magical West Coast trip in which they won at Golden State and Portland in the same week. Still, it added up to just 29 wins, another losing season.We have the talent, and we have the length to be better on defense, but we didnt always have the discipline, Karl-Anthony Towns said. Im willing to say I dont know. I want to learn.Towns said he thought Thibodeaus defensive system was similar to what he ran at the University of Kentucky, and he was encouraged that hed learn quickly. When this was mentioned to Thibodeau, he just grunted with a half-smile. Towns and the Wolves havent seen anything yet.Thibodeau didnt need a league-wide tour to learn how to teach defense. Looking at the way the Wolves have set up their preseason schedule makes it clear who is in charge now and what his goal is. Thibodeau essentially designed three training camps. Though technically voluntary, every Wolves player was doing full workouts for 2-3 weeks before the beginning of actual training camp. According to players, these were de facto practices.Its a clinic every day, guard Ricky Rubio said. Theres an intensity in practice. Hes tough but in a good way.Then Thibodeau scheduled 11 days between the start of official practice and his first preseason game. Some teams had as little as four days of practice before the preseason opener. In a way, that is the second training camp. The third is an unusual nine-day preseason road trip that will take the Wolves to five cities, including stops in Kansas City, Missouri; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Louisville, Kentucky. This will enable a long bonding session, much of it in non-NBA cities, that will mimic an offsite training camp.In this time, Thibodeau, as one would expect, is drilling his players on defensive techniques. He didnt say it, but his actions make it clear he was appalled at the Wolves defensive habits last season. More than half of the early workouts were focused on defense. There were film sessions focusing on positioning. There were drills intended to create habits.We have to get an understanding of it. We cant rest, Thibodeau said before starting a checklist. We have to be a talk [on defense] team, we have to be challenging shots, we have to learn to finish defense correctly.Thibodeau gave the impression that theres a long way to go for the Wolves, even if his players talk positively about their improvement. Hes also paying a lot of attention to Andrew Wiggins, who two seasons ago was the leagues rookie of the year. In many ways, Wiggins holds the key for the long-range upside of the Wolves. Towns, last seasons ROY, has the look of a budding All-Star, perhaps the most exciting young player in the league. Young wing Zach LaVine quietly had an outstanding second half last season, especially shooting from long range. Theres a lot of excitement over rookie point guard Kris Dunn, who had a promising summer league.But the team needs Wiggins to grow into his potential, to be heading into the conversation for All-Star and All-NBA teams starting now. Going into his third season, this is the time when he should be taking large leaps forward. Thibodeau is spending extra time with him, watching him work on individual drills after practice and giving special instruction.Theres significant excitement around the team, the idea that Thibodeaus arrival combined with natural maturation of young players could truly create the roots of a serious team. Combined with a new practice facility and a renovated Target Center, there is a feeling of rebirth. Thibodeau, of course, is more focused on the work than anything else.Its like building a house, Thibodeau said. Were still working on the foundation. ' ' '