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. Cheap Jerseys 2020 . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. 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LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings returned to their hard forechecking ways and got a needed win.Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking short-handed goal midway through the second period and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-2.Derek Forbort and Tyler Toffoli each had a goal and an assist and Devin Setoguchi and also scored for Los Angeles. Peter Budaj made 26 saves.After going winless in their last four games on the road, the Kings returned to Staples Center and found the key piece of their game that had eluded them on the road.For us, its the read, shutting down and getting in on the forecheck, Setoguchi said. When we forecheck well, thats usually when we create our opportunities.Darnell Nurse and Oscar Klefbom scored for the Oilers, who have now lost five straight games to fall to 2-7-1 since starting 7-1-0. Jonas Gustavsson made 21 saves.Oilers coach Todd McLellan said Carters short-handed goal hurt the most but Edmonton was ultimately doomed by another slow start.It seems to vary from night to night positionally, McLellan said. Whether its a D-man with a turnover, the forwards coughing something up and not getting in position at the right time. Its certainly something were aware of, were concerned with and trying to fix.Trailing 2-0 after the first period, the Oilers scored twice in the second to tie it before Carter scored at 9:06 of the middle period.Nurse made it 2-1 with a shot off the crossbar 3:44 into the second. A little under five minutes later, Klefbom tied it when he caught a pass in the slot and lifted an impressive backhand shot off the crossbar and behind Budaj.ddddddddddddBut just 34 seconds later, Carter won a faceoff and Toffoli led a 2-on-1 rush that resulted in Carters game-winner.We didnt get the save, but there were other mistakes on it, McLellan said. I thought it sucked the life out of us for a little bit.Setoguchi scored off a rebound with 6:45 left to play to make it 4-2, his third goal this season and third since the 2013-14.I didnt think we were that good in the first couple of periods, Setoguchi said. Then, in the third we had a couple good shifts back-to-back and we were able to score on one.Forbort scored his first goal of the season to put the Kings on the board 5:09 into the game. Toffoli then gave Los Angeles a 2-0 lead a few minutes later when he tapped in a centering pass from Carter.There was a bunch of traffic down there, (Kyle) Clifford made a good play and I was lucky it went in, Forbort said. Game notes Kings C Anze Kopitar remained out for the third straight game with an upper-body injury. . Kings D Matt Greene was a healthy scratch. . Oilers D Dillon Simpson and C Anton Lander was a healthy scratch. . Forbort had his second multipoint game of the season and his career. . Carter had his team-high fourth multipoint game. . The Kings extended their home winning streak against the Oilers to 10 games. They havent lost to Edmonton at Staples Center since Nov. 3, 2011.UP NEXTOilers: At Dallas on Saturday in the finale of a three-game trip.Kings: Host New Jersey on Saturday. ' ' '