CRICKET Australia v Sri Lanka

[1910]

Australia squad for Sri Lanka Tests: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head (vc), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster

 

[1910]

Big challenge this tour is two Tests on the same ground so close together.

Last tour there in '22- drew 1-1.

Australia won by 10 wickets then lost by innings and 39 runs. 23 of the 30 Sri Lankan wickets in '22 went to spin- Lyon, Swepson and Head.

 

[1910]

Looking at the job the selectors are doing- from 2022 SL tour.

Warner, Marsh, Green, Maxwell, Holland, Agar, Swepson, Hazelwood not there this time.

From the 18 man tour 8 not there.

We have gone from McSweeney being the only player under 30 three Tests ago to Konstas (19), Connolly (21), Murphy (24), McSweeney (25), Kuhnemann (28) and Inglis (29).

I wish there was a wrist spinner in there. They've just had a go at anyone that can sort of bowl spin and hope it comes off with all these part timers.

 

[Fitzy]

Looking at the job the selectors are doing- from 2022 SL tour.

Warner, Marsh, Green, Maxwell, Holland, Agar, Swepson, Hazelwood not there this time.

From the 18 man tour 8 not there.

We have gone from McSweeney being the only player under 30 three Tests ago to Konstas (19), Connolly (21), Murphy (24), McSweeney (25), Kuhnemann (28) and Inglis (29).

I wish there was a wrist spinner in there.

With Green to come in as well. Obviously a clear change in mentality with the inclusion of Konstas and Connolly of late. Even the inclusion of someone like Webster who despite being 31 can be useful for a fairly long period of time if the cricket gods are nice and his performances are even nicer.

I personally think Kuhnemann as a left armer is a certainty to play and Head at opener is likely with that being his only real position of success in the sub-continent. Curious to see what 11 you think will play the first test?

 

[Sproj]

Kuhnemann is underrated. If Qld let him go because they favoured someone else, you can be pretty sure he's good.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I'm just glad McSweeney is there. Deserved to tour for more exposure and development. I hate that they've bothered taking Khawaja over there. 38 and not batting well. What is the point.

 

[1910]

With Green to come in as well. Obviously a clear change in mentality with the inclusion of Konstas and Connolly of late. Even the inclusion of someone like Webster who despite being 31 can be useful for a fairly long period of time if the cricket gods are nice and his performances are even nicer.

I personally think Kuhnemann as a left armer is a certainty to play and Head at opener is likely with that being his only real position of success in the sub-continent. Curious to see what 11 you think will play the first test?

Short answer no idea, are they using the same pitch twice? That changes a bit- how many left arm batters are Sri Lanka going to pick plays a part too as to whether I would pick left arm bowlers.

Bailey loves left arm bowlers in Asia, so Kuhemann and Connolly are a chance. But it's such a dying craft for Australians there is not a lot of long-term future in it. Vettori will have a massive say here.

February is going to make a difference as opposed to the normal July we play there. It's winter and pitches might be underprepared or under a foot of water.

I think these two Tests are all about being flexible because there is a fair bit unknown.

Starc with his outstanding record there is in but if they go one quick and three spinners who is the third spinner do you go Murphy or Connolly and Head. Puts a lot of pressure on Webster who could bowl spin too- bowled off spin for Tasmania this year.

I think they have picked a very flexible squad that even within games you can pivot and change plans.

You could have Head, Lyon, Kuhemann, Connolly, Webster and Murphy as spin options in the 11.

 

[1910]

Kuhnemann is underrated. If Qld let him go because they favoured someone else, you can be pretty sure he's good.

Swepson took 30 wickets last summer and has 17 this summer and has been captain this year. Qld only saw Kuhemann as a white ball bowler- he had to leave to get red ball cricket. He's taken his chance this year, but he wasn't getting it in Queensland.

He was even lucky to play white ball cricket for the Bulls last year- five wickets in seven games.

 

[1910]

I'm just glad McSweeney is there. Deserved to tour for more exposure and development. I hate that they've bothered taking Khawaja over there. 38 and not batting well. What is the point.

Think he's seen as an Asian expert, and they're not ready to cut him loose yet.

He's safe. 4 100's and averages 56. Compare that to Head, Konstas and McSweeney who are all on a big zero.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Think he's seen as an Asian expert, and they're not ready to cut him loose yet.

He's safe. 4 100's and averages 56. Compare that to Head, Konstas and McSweeney who are all on a big zero.

Averages 28 in Sri Lanka with no 100's though.

 

[BooKhaki]

Konstas
Usman
Marnus
Smith
Head
Webster
Carey
Starc
Boland
Lyon
Kuhnemann

That will be the first side, IMO. Don't think I'd pick it, but that's what we'll see happen.

 

[Big Del]

Looking at the job the selectors are doing- from 2022 SL tour.

Warner, Marsh, Green, Maxwell, Holland, Agar, Swepson, Hazelwood not there this time.

From the 18 man tour 8 not there.

We have gone from McSweeney being the only player under 30 three Tests ago to Konstas (19), Connolly (21), Murphy (24), McSweeney (25), Kuhnemann (28) and Inglis (29).

I wish there was a wrist spinner in there. They've just had a go at anyone that can sort of bowl spin and hope it comes off with all these part timers.

I wouldn`t call Murphy and Kuhnemann part timers .
Travis Head yes .

I was thinking similar shame about no wrist spinner . Marnus ? He looked promising early in his career . Why did he become the bouncer boy ?