Playing spin is like eating chilli - Langer

Justin Langer, the Perth Scorchers coach, has identified his side being found out by spin as a major factor in their exit from the Champions League T20.

"No matter how much you try and prepare, it [playing spin] is very difficult," Langer told CLT20.com. "It's like when India come to Australia, we have bouncier and faster wickets, which gets harder for them to play. It's almost like Indians have chillies from a very early age, therefore if you eat chilli it doesn't really bother you. But if we eat chilli, it burns our mouth, which is the same while playing spin.

"We are brought up on fast and bouncy wickets that swing around and not so much on spinning wickets. So when we come up here, it's like eating chilli and it is hard to get used to it. I know in Australian cricket there is a focus in becoming better off playing spin bowling, but it is something that is going to take a long time to develop."

Scorchers managed two wins from four matches, including a spectacular finish against Dolphins when Mitchell Marsh hammered the required 12 runs off the last two balls. However, the Scorchers batsmen struggled to pick Kolkata Knight Riders' Sunil Narine and chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav, losing 7 for 55 to the pair, and were 40 for 6 while facing the comparatively orthodox spinners of Lahore Lions.

"When you come here and you are not used to playing spin, and then you come out against world-class spinners like Sunil Narine and Mohammad Hafeez, you are always going to be tested."

Langer was, however, pleased with the efforts of his young squad - nine players are below 25 years - against the more fancied IPL sides in the absence of experienced players like Shaun Marsh, who was injured, and Simon Katich, who has retired.

"The last two years that we have come here, because of injury or some other reasons, we haven't got the same team that we play with in the Big Bash League. The reality is that the IPL teams have four overseas players who are four overseas superstars. We, here, didn't have many and it makes a big difference. It is not an excuse and I am really proud that we got so close in the tournament and competed well.

"Joel Paris was excellent with the new ball and at the death. He swings the ball early and when you swing the ball, you are always going to be dangerous. Mitchell Marsh has been really impressive of late and that's the reason he is now in the Australian setup. That guy is a real talent and the one to look forward to. We have got lots of young talent who we have really enjoyed watching and develop."