Langer calls for spin improvement

Stand-in coach Justin Langer has called on Australia's batsmen to improve a "basic of batting" following their struggle against the spin of the Proteas in mid-week.

South Africa tweakers Tabraiz Shamsi, Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso put their variations to good use earlier this week, helping skittle Australia for just 142 in a comfortable ODI victory.

Langer didn't read the riot act after his side's first loss of the tri-series, but equally the former Test opener made some salient points clear to his charges ahead of their clash with the Proteas in St Kitts, which starts at 3am AEST on Sunday.

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"I just thought we didn't pick the ball well enough out of the spinner's hand," Langer said.

"That's something that is just a basic of batting.

"Under those lights and in those conditions it was tough.

"But you give yourself a chance if you pick the ball up early out of the bowler's hand."

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Langer noted his batsmen also failed to show the necessary restraint - something they had spoken about in the lead-up to a contest where ball dominated bat.

"We weren't as patient as we needed to be," he said.

"We said before the game if it takes us 50 overs to get it, it takes us 50 overs to get it.

"We talked about adapting, we talked about having good partnerships and looking after each other.

"We probably didn't do any of those things particularly well the other night."

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Australia's fielding was another focus of Langer's debrief, with the West Australian calling it a "bit flat" in both games in Guyana.