Aussies up for a tough time in longer version of the game: Moody

Sydney, Apr 30 (UNI) Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody feels that Australia will struggle in Test cricket after the retirement of their two most 'lethal weapons' from the game.

Moody predicted a tougher time for the World Champions after two of their champion bowlers Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne retired from international cricket.

Australia's master leg-spinner Shane Warne had already hanged up his boots earlier this year, while his team-mate McGrath made the World Cup final his swansong and finished his career on a high note.

''Glenn is obviously one of the greatest bowlers of all time, and I think Australia will see the real impact in Test cricket more than one-day cricket in the absence of both Glenn and Shane (Warne),'' said Moody.

''The strike rate of both those bowlers taken away from an attack is going to hurt any team. A huge amount of experience, class and quality will be taken away from their Test attack,'' he added.

Inspite of all these, the 41-year-old Aussie expects the Australians to continue performing well, as they have adequate backup resources. However, he does not anticipate this process of change to be easy.

''Australia, I think, will continue to win and be successful, but they may have to work a bit harder for their wins than they have in the past,'' Moody said.

Nicknamed 'Long' for his lanky structure, Moody was impressed by the bench strength of Auusie pace attack and especially lauded the new kid Shaun Tait for his superb display with the new ball in the Caribbean mega event.

''There were a lot of question marks (on the Australian attack) going into this World Cup, as Brett Lee was injured, then Shaun Tait steps up to the plate. He has done a terrific job as a strike bowler and is one of the reasons Australia dominated throughout this World Cup,'' he said.

''It's amazing what happens when one door closes and another opens, you don't know who is going to walk through and how they will take to the next level,'' he concluded.

UNI