Complex sentence: As Ring was a leg spinner, he and Johnston were in direct competition for a place in the playing XI. Australia traditionally fielded its first-choice team in the tour opener, which was customarily against Worcestershire.
Split into simpler sentences: As Ring was a leg spin bowler, he and Johnston were in direct competition for a place in the eleven. Australia had traditionally fielded its first-choice team in the tour opener, which was customarily against Worcestershire.